Columbus Launches Campaign To Plant More Trees In City

The city of Columbus has paired with 20 nonprofits to launch a campaign aimed at bringing more green to Ohio's capital city.
 
The Columbus Dispatch reports "Branch Out Columbus" will plant 300,000 medium-sized trees throughout the city by 2020.
 
Columbus' tree canopy currently covers 22 percent of the city. Mayor Michael Coleman said Tuesday the initiative will grow that number to 27 percent, and that he's shooting for 31 percent.
 
The city will spend $2.5 million to add 12,600 trees to neighborhoods across Columbus. They will additionally provide $20,000 to fund $50 rebates for residents who plant trees themselves.
 
Coleman expects Columbus to lose roughly 200,000 trees to pests, extreme weather and development.
 
Columbus Environmental Steward Erin Miller says planting 300,000 new trees helps make up for that loss.