COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Recreation & Parks is reminding residents that April is Earth Month for the city, and that there are ways to get involved around the community. 

What You Need To Know

  • April is Earth Month for the city of Columbus

  • There are many ways to volunteer and be involved in conservation efforts

  • ODNR is releasing rainbow trout at several Columbus parks

  • Columbus Recreation & Parks will celebrate Earth Day/Arbor Day on Friday, April 25

One opportunity is to join the Conservation Stewardship Program, which focuses on restoring and maintaining natural spaces around Columbus. The program is led by the Columbus Recreation & Parks’ Conservation team. This year, the focus is on pollinator habitats. To join the program, resident must fill out an interest form and attend a one-day indoor training session. Through the sessions, volunteers will learn how to identify common plans and how to document conservation efforts. 

There are two trainings for 2025, one on Thursday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Retreat at Turnberry and a second on Saturday, June 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at McKnight Outdoor Education Center. 

Residents can also attend rainbow trout stockings as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources stocks lakes and ponds across the state, including Columbus. ODNR will stock several area parks, including Franklin, Linden and Westgate parks on April 14; Antrim Park on April 18 and Goodale, Krumm and Schiller parks on April 23. 

Trout do not survive in warmer temperatures, so the best time to catch them is before the summer heat. Hunting and fishing licenses are also available for anglers 17-years-old and up through ODNR.

On April 18, Columbus Recreation & parks are hosting a “Meet the Goats” event, but they may not be the GOATs of athletes that come to mind for many. The department is taking a new approach to combating invasive plants by bringing in a goatherd to naturally remove the plants. This is the only event where visitors will be able to see and pet a few of the goats. Later in the summer, they will be behind fencing. 

The “Meet the Goats” event will be held on Friday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at Antrim Park by the lake. 

Residents will also have an opportunity to volunteer during National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 20 to April 26. Last year, the department said there were 17,147 residents who volunteered to collect litter and take part in beautification projects. For more information on volunteering with the department, click here. 

The department will also celebrate Earth Day/Arbor Day on Friday, April 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Woodward Park, 5147 Karl Road, 43229. Volunteers will help plant native trees, pollinator plants and vegetables in the community garden. Other volunteer opportunities include invasive plant removal, playground mulching, litter pick up and a creek cleanup. To register for the Earth Day volunteer opportunity, click here.