Our Programs
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it"
~ Robert Swan
Every year, Green Columbus celebrates Earth Month by bringing volunteers together to make a difference in Central Ohio’s environment. Our organization facilitates service sites across the region, each hosted and led by volunteers. After a month filled with tree plantings, litter cleanups, mulch distribution, and community gardening, we wrap up with the Earth Day Columbus Celebration, presented by Green Columbus. This free, family-friendly, zero-waste event offers fun activities and opportunities to learn more about—and support—a greener Central Ohio community.
🌍Earth Day & April Month of Service
🌳 Community Tree Planting
Our collaborative tree planting program brings people together to grow a healthier, more resilient city by adding trees where they are needed most.
These Trees improve air quality, reduce heat, and manage stormwater. This is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to strengthen neighborhoods and improve quality of life.
With support from volunteers and the City of Columbus, Green Columbus has planted more than 650+ native trees in community spaces across Central Ohio including schools, parks, and roadways in communities that benefit most from added tree cover.
With our team managing every step of the process, from planning and site preparation to providing trees, tools, and on-site instruction to volunteers all at no cost to participating sites. During each event, staff share proper planting techniques and offer guidance to ensure every tree is planted with care and set up to thrive for years to come.
🏡 Annual Tree Giveaway
Every year, we puts thousands of free native trees directly into the hands of Central Ohio residents, empowering our neighbors to take part in shaping greener, healthier communities.
The trees we give away begin as small saplings grown and nurtured in our Linden Tree Nursery. By fall, they are ready to be planted in yards, parks, and shared spaces.
When volunteers and residents plant these trees, they are doing more than adding beauty. They are restoring habitat, improving air and water quality, and helping create a more equitable tree canopy across Columbus.
Each tree planted strengthens our city’s resilience to heat, flooding, and pollution. Together, these small acts add up to lasting change for generations to come.
🍻 Green Drinks & Social Outings
Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks.
We have a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government, and business. Come along and you'll be made welcome. It's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts in the local environmentally conscious.
These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals, and had moments of serendipity. It's a force for good, and we'd like to help it spread to other cities. Contact your local node to get the latest info about coming along.
🛶 Annual Scioto Sweep River Cleanup
Launched in 2019, the Scioto Sweep has brought volunteers together each year to protect and restore one of Central Ohio’s vital waterways. This event is in collaboration with Scioto Fest by Green Columbus, Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks, Scioto Watershed Action Group, and Keep Columbus Beautiful.
🤝 Columbus Tree Coalition
The Columbus Tree Coalition is a community-led body serving as a forum to unify tree-related projects and ultimately plan work beyond the City’s efforts. This group may evolve organically over time to a structure that will work for the Columbus community. This group of community partners is key to maintaining momentum to increase tree equity in Central Ohio.