Who is the Green Team, and why are you giving away plants?
The Green Team is an employee resource group of Ohio State University employees dedicated to improving health in our communities through reducing carbon footprints, supporting natural resources and educating others on why this is important and how we can work together to make change. Our mission is to inspire staff to take action at work and at home to address environmental degradation as a social determinant of health.
The Earth Week Plant Giveaway is one example of how we encourage Ohio State employees across the Columbus campus to plant and grow their gardens with native plants, which not only look beautiful but provide important resources to pollinators as well!
Who can pick up a plant?
Any Ohio State University employee may choose one tree, shrub or perennial plant.
How many plants are you giving away?
We expect to have just over 2,000 native trees, shrubs and perennial plants known to be beneficial to our local butterflies and other pollinators.
What plants will you have?
We expect to have several varieties of native trees, shrubs and perennials, suitable for sunny, part sun and shady locations. The exact plants available may vary due to unexpected circumstances, such as crop failure.
Where can I pick up my plant?
To help you find a time that works for your schedule, you have many times and locations choose from! Note that all dates/times are subject to change as we run out of plants.
EPN Signature Earth Day Event, The Fawcett Center
Monday, April 21
4:45 to 7:30 p.m.
Earth Day Fair, The Biomedical Research Center (BRT)
Tuesday, April 22
1 to 4 p.m.
The Herrick Transit Hub
Thursday, April 24
6:30 to 9 a.m.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
3 to 6 p.m.
Chadwick Arboretum North, south side of the 4-H Parking Lot
2201 Fred Taylor Dr, Columbus, OH 43210
Friday, April 25, 2025
6:30 to 9 a.m.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
3 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
9 a.m. to noon
Can I pick up a plant for my co-worker?
Yes. We will be happy to allow you to pick up a plant for your colleague to ensure we reach as many people as possible.
I have a small lot without garden space. Will you have any plants that do well in containers?
Yes! Depending on the size of your container, we will have a few perennial plant options that should do well for you.
Why is it important to plant native plants? What does that mean?
Native plants can be defined as plants that occur naturally in a particular region where they have evolved over thousands of years to adapt to physical conditions and develop relationships with other living organisms.
The trees and shrubs chosen for our giveaway were selected because they offer multiple benefits to a variety of creatures, support biodiversity, and create “living landscapes.”
Interested in learning more? The Ohio State University Extension is a great place to start.
Where can I buy more native plants?
Native plants are becoming widely available at local garden centers as more and more people are beginning to incorporate them into their home gardens.
In central Ohio, you can also find many smaller plant nurseries that ONLY grow native plant nurseries from local seeds, which will be adapted to our area particularly well.
Ohio State’s Chadwick Arboretum hosts their annual Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser every year in May. Many native plants are featured in this sale, including some grown by Ohio State student groups as a fundraiser. In 2025, this sale will be from May 8-10. Check their website for specific times each day.