September 30, 2021

Engineers Without Borders Continues Partnership with Green Columbus

a group of 4 people with shovels digging in the lawn in a neighborhood with houses and trees around and cars in the street behind them under a blue sky.

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After unexpected COVID-19 guidelines in November 2020 threw a wrench in their plans, the Ohio State chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) was finally able to continue their tree nursery project in April 2021, partnering with Green Columbus.

The two tree nurseries are in Linden and the Hilltop, and the goal of the project is to provide trees for the communities free of cost. EWB and Green Columbus believe that trees bring many benefits to communities, such as shade, aesthetics, higher property values, and clean air.

a dirt patch like a drive blocked off with a couple wood posts in the lawn on the side of a house with tan siding. chain link fence and 2 cars int he drive and a large tree next to the cars — SEEDLING NURSERY IN HILLTOP, BEGINNING SHOT.

a number of larger plants in pots set out in 3 rows 30-40 deep in front of 3 wooden cross stakes in the ground on the side lawn of a tan siding house in a neigborhood with a large tree behind the pots and trees and houses nearby — SEEDLING NURSERY IN HILLTOP, COMPLETED.

Katie Vatke, vice president of local projects for EWB, said each lot has expanded from 750 to 1,500 trees since the project began.

She said one of the biggest challenges was figuring out the layout within the lot and how to get the irrigation over to all of the nutrients.

some plumbing contraption on a cement pad in the lawn with the legs of 2 individuals visible, one with jeans and one with tan shorts and a red shirt — COMPONENTS OF THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM BEING CONSTRUCTED

“We were able to get the stakes put in the ground, dig the hole, make a line to expand the irrigation system to the new plot of tree nurseries, and put down the tarp for the plants to sit on. So that was really exciting.”

pots of tree type plants next to s wooden pole with stakes coming out of pots and some copper piping sitting on the pots all in a grass fiend. — IRRIGATION LINES WATERING TREES IN THE NURSERY

The organization is currently working on finishing up their documentation for the project and making a guide for Green Columbus to give to schools in the area interested in making a tree nursery.

For students interested in getting involved, EWB is always welcoming new members and consistently has new projects they are working on.

“We have a bunch more local projects that we’re working on,” Vatke said. “Currently, we’re working on another garden project with the Global Water Institute and Local Matters, and one of the community gardens, helping them with their high tunnel and helping them with layout and drip irrigation.”

Engineers Without Borders is advised by Dr. Tom Darrah, GWI Director, and Amanda Davey, GWI Program Manager. Read more about the project with Green Columbus.

Learn more about the Ohio State chapter of Engineers Without Borders and get information on joining if you are a student.

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