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Council steps in after Green Columbus says federal grant frozen; city will fund thousands of trees for Earth Month
Summary
Green Columbus told council it faced a $75,000 shortfall after a U.S. Forest Service grant administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was frozen; council pledged support and will fund over 13,000 trees and other resources for Earth Day/Month events.
Columbus City Council on April 1 adopted a resolution recognizing April as Earth Month and April 22 as Earth Day and heard an extended presentation from Shelley Douglas, executive director of Green Columbus, about a funding gap that threatened the nonprofit’s annual planting program.
Douglas told council a grant from the U.S. Forest Service, administered through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), was frozen, leaving Green Columbus with an unpaid $75,000 reimbursement related to tree plantings at Columbus City Schools. "We went into Earth Day this year kind of in a panic of how we were gonna provide all these requested resources," Douglas said. She asked the city and partners to help fill the shortfall so community planting and volunteer events could proceed.
Council members said they would back Green Columbus. The council pledged to fund more than 13,000 trees for community worksites and to support Green Columbus’ Linden Tree Nursery, which the nonprofit plans to grow into a free tree giveaway this fall. Shelley Douglas said the organization had 75 worksites listed on earthdaycolumbus.org and planned a public celebration at Scioto Audubon Metro Park on April 27.
Councilmember White (committee chair for Public Utilities and Sustainability) framed the issue as a local priority despite federal policy changes. "You can count on the support of council to fill the gaps in your funding being created by a hostile administration," White said during remarks recorded in council minutes.
Green Columbus reported large volunteer numbers in prior years and said last year’s Earth Month planted roughly 74,000 tree seedlings and produced 21,000 volunteer hours during April alone. The resolution recognizes Green Columbus’ work and the role of tree canopy expansion to improve air quality, reduce heat and support stormwater management.
Council adopted the resolution by voice vote; members recorded their support at the roll call.
