ODRC Plants 150 Trees to Celebrate Earth Day

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)-The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) planted 150 apple trees across five institutions to celebrate Earth Day 2025. These trees, donated by the Johnny Appleseed Foundation, represent another facet of ODRC's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. Staff planted the trees at the following institutions:

• Mansfield Correctional Institution
• Belmont Correctional Institution
• Madison Correctional Institution
• London Correctional Institution
• Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution

"Each tree planted across our agency contributes to our larger vision for a more sustainable future," said ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith. "Green spaces, especially in correctional settings, benefit the mental well-being of both our staff and the incarcerated population. I want to thank Cassidy Jenney, our energy and sustainability manager, for all her efforts to implement practices that keep these ideas in mind while also reducing waste by up to 20 percent and saving over $1.5 million."

Many of the sustainability programs available are designed for incarcerated individuals who wish to acquire skills related to these initiatives, better preparing them for employment upon release.

Some of these programs include:

• Material Repurposing: This helps facilities reduce waste by facilitating the movement of equipment and tools between locations, thereby minimizing costs and waste.
• Textile Recycling: Textiles are collected from multiple institutions, combined, and sent off to be recycled, reducing waste.
• Wildlife Recovery: Institutions rehabilitate and nurture animals until they can be returned to the wild in partnership with the Ohio Wildlife Foundation.
• Beekeeping and Gardening: Programs at select facilities donate to the community and food pantries while providing valuable skills for the incarcerated population.
• Solar Installation Training: This program educates incarcerated individuals so they can earn a living wage post-release.

To learn more about ODRC's sustainability successes, visit our 2024 Annual Report.