The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (MRSS) is the largest sustainability conference in the Midwest, bringing together hundreds of visionary leaders to share ideas and solutions for a healthier, more resilient, and equitable future. The annual summit features a full day of programming, including speakers, exhibitors, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, covering a wide range of topics from climate justice and green workforce development to resilient food systems and circular economy practices. MRSS serves as a vital platform for collaboration and innovation, inspiring action and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future in the Midwest.

Shownotes

Shelly Douglas is the Executive Director of Green Columbus, who was recently awarded the 2025 Impact Award from the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit. Since her last appearance, Shelly has broken her tree-planting records for the second year in a row, planting 74,000 seedlings in 2024 and expanding her Columbus City Schools program from 4 to 24 schools with over 650 large trees planted. However, this success story takes a sobering turn as Shelly candidly discusses how Trump's executive orders froze $75,000 in federal grant reimbursements, forcing her small nonprofit to slash their Earth Day program from 74,000 to just 14,000 seedlings. Despite these challenges, the community rallied to support Green Columbus, demonstrating the power of local action in the face of federal policy setbacks. Shelly shares her organization's evolution from a scrappy volunteer-driven operation to a more strategic force in urban forestry, complete with their own truck, consolidated nursery operations, and her new role as a Columbus Tree Subcommissioner. The conversation highlights both the tremendous impact that dedicated individuals can have on their communities and the vulnerability of grassroots environmental work to political winds, while showcasing the resilience and innovation required to keep planting trees and building greener, more equitable communities.

Episode in a glance

- The 2025 Impact Award and Green Columbus's Mission
- Increasing Equitable Tree Canopy Coverage
- Piloting a New School Planting Program
- The Linden Tree Nursery and Community Giveaways
- A New Role as Columbus Tree Subcommissioner
- The Impact of Trump’s Executive Orders
- The Future of Green Columbus

About Shelly Douglas

Shelly Douglas is the Executive Director of Green Columbus, a passionate advocate for community engagement, and a true Green Champion. She is dedicated to building a greener, more resilient Columbus by empowering volunteers, increasing equitable tree canopy coverage, and fostering a sense of community pride.

Connect with Shelly Douglas and Green Columbus

Website → https://www.greencbus.org/

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/greencolumbus

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/green_columbus/

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