Special to 1808Delawware
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is joining forces with Girl Scout Councils of Black Diamond, North East Ohio, Ohio’s Heartland, and Western Ohio to support the Girl Scout Tree Promise. ODNR has committed to providing resources for Girl Scouts to plant 250,000 trees in Ohio by 2026.
Delaware County lies in the Ohio’s Heartland Girl Scout Council area, which stretches from Adams County on the Ohio River to north central Ohio.
“Trees provide tremendous benefits to our environment and wildlife, and I truly believe Girl Scouts are making a lasting impact through the Girl Scout Tree Promise,” Director Mary Mertz said. “As a former Girl Scout leader, I’m excited to partner with this organization to lift girls up and open their eyes to some of the amazing careers in conservation.”
The Girl Scout Tree Promise, launched by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) in April 2021, is a national protection initiative to plant 5 million trees across the country over five years, and to protect and honor new and existing trees.
ODNR’s Division of Forestry and Division of Mineral Resource Management will help Girl Scouts plant the first 38,000 trees as part of this partnership starting in April 2023 at an abandoned mine land reclamation area at Powelson Wildlife Area, a grass field to be reforested at Ron Abraham State Forest, and a restored mining site within Willow Grove State Forest. Each Girl Scout council will share more information about these projects with their members in the coming months.
The Ohio Division of Forestry promotes the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit Forestry.ohiodnr.gov. Follow us on Facebook @odnrforestry and on Instagram @odnrforestry (instagram.com/odnrforestry).
The Division of Mineral Resources Management oversees the safe and environmentally sound development and restoration of mineral and fossil fuel extraction sites. The division also restores abandoned mine land, enforces mining safety laws, and ensures the protection of citizens, land, and water resources.
