Ohioans wanting to celebrate Arbor Day this year are encouraged to donate and help plant a tree at Ohio State Parks. For their efforts, participants who donate a tree and help plant it will receive one free night of camping for each tree they donate.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is inviting park visitors to donate mature native tree saplings and help park staff and volunteers plant them in an effort to replace trees that were affected by the emerald ash borer infestation. A number of ash trees within the state park system were removed as they posed a safety risk to visitors. The plantings will take place at park locations in southeastern, southwestern and northern state parks on Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Arbor Day tree plantings will be held at nine state parks: Lake Hope and Dillon in southeast Ohio; Stonelick, Hueston Woods and Caesar Creek in southwest Ohio; and Kelleys Island, Mohican, Guilford Lake and Beaver Creek in northern Ohio.
State park visitors will receive one free night of camping during the 2016 season at the state park of their choice for each donated mature sapling that is at least 5 feet in height. The promotion is limited to two free nights of camping per family. To receive camping vouchers, state park visitors must help staff and volunteers plant the tree. Ohio State Parks requests that people donate native tree species, such as red maple, red oak, burr oak, yellow poplar and beech.
Other volunteers and staff, as well as all necessary equipment and supplies, will be provided at each local state park. In addition to tree plantings, the Arbor Day celebrations will include naturalist-led activities for visitors of all ages.
People interested in planting a tree before Arbor Day are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to plant saplings that will be enjoyed by state park visitors for generations to come and will help improve the environment.
All questions regarding local Arbor Day tree plantings should be directed to the local state park offices:
- Beaver Creek: 330-385-3091
- Caesar Creek: 513-897-3055
- Dillon: 740-453-4377
- Guilford Lake: 330-222-1712
- Hueston Woods: 513-523-6347
- Kelleys Island: 419-746-2546
- Lake Hope: 740-596-4938
- Mohican: 419-994-5125
- Stonelick: 513-734-4323
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
