Girl Scouts of the USA Partnership with NASPD
Since the launch of Girl Scouts Love State Parks in 2019, over 250,000 Girl Scouts, their families and friends have celebrated their love of the outdoors in state parks across all 50 states. The success of this annual event is underscored by the strong partnerships that have been built between state parks and their local councils. A recent event in Ohio highlighted how together, state parks and Girl Scouts can accomplish great strides for our parks and planet.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and several Ohio Girl Scout councils have been collaborating on Girl Scouts Love State Parks for years and recently decided to extend the partnership to elevate the importance of reforestation and climate action. Girl Scouts across the country have committed to take 5 million actions to address climate change including earning their Girl Scout Tree Promise patch for which they plant, protect and honor trees. To support Girl Scouts' tree planting effort, ODNR invited Girl Scouts from across the state to participate in their reforestation efforts and generously offered to count 250,000 tree plantings toward Girl Scouts' goal of 5 million actions.
ODNR Director Mary Mertz invited Girl Scouts of the USA's CEO, Bonnie Barcyzkowski to join her, Girl Scouts of Ohio Heartland's CEO, Tammy Wharton, and Daisy & Brownie Girl Scouts to plant 1002 trees at Little Darby Creek. Turnout for the event was great! Ohio Governor Mike DeWine attended and planted trees with his grandson and Girl Scouts from the Columbus area. Over the next three years, Girl Scouts in Ohio will support ODNR's tree planting efforts.
Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2023 is scheduled for September 9 & 10th. For more information about how to plan an event with a local council, contact Amanda Daly, Sr. Director of Girl Scout Experience at Girl Scouts of the USA at adaly@girlscouts.org.
Governor DeWine in the blue jacket helping GSUSA plant trees.
Special thanks to Amanda Daly, Senior Director, Girl Scout Experience, for her strong leadership with GSLSP and building relationships with parks, forests and natural areas and providing quality experiences for Girls Scouts.
Read letter from GSUSA's CEO, Bonnie Barcyzkowski to NASPD.
Top Photo: Numerous Girl Scouts joined Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz planting trees and counting toward Girl Scouts’ Tree Promise program. They were joined by the new GSUSA CEO Bonnie Barcyzkowski.
