Tree-rific News! ODNR’s Arboretum Accreditation Renewed for Natural Resources Park

Photo and story courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources 

COLUMBUS, OH  – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is proud to share that the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds has renewed its arboretum accreditation and is globally recognized as a level two arboretum. The Natural Resources Park earned the qualification because it boasts a collection of more than 100 species of trees, which visitors experience throughout the year and most notably during the Ohio State Fair each summer.

“The Natural Resources Park has been recognized as an arboretum for 10 years, and it’s such a wonderful place for people to learn about the great outdoors and relax in some shade at the Ohio State Fair,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “We’re proud to have this accreditation and to share the love of trees with all Ohioans.” 

The accreditation is renewed every five years through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum. ArbNet is the only global initiative that officially recognizes arboreta at varying levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. The arboretum at Natural Resources Park is also listed in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a worldwide database of arboreta and public gardens dedicated to woody plants.

“As an inner-city educational space, the arboretum at Natural Resources Park introduces thousands of visitors to the importance of trees and the benefits they bring to our urban communities,” said Dan Balser, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “This recognition reflects our commitment to providing a living classroom where visitors can learn, explore, and connect with Ohio’s natural resources.” 

The Natural Resources Park has evolved into a unique urban arboretum. Its mission is to provide unmatched tree coverage within the Ohio Expo Center, supported by natural resources exhibits and hands-on outdoor experiences. The nine-acre arboretum is committed to environmental education for school groups and the public, and to conserving, collecting, and displaying significant and native tree species. The ODNR arboretum serves as a free, accessible space where visitors can learn about, appreciate, and connect with Ohio’s natural resources.

Noteworthy trees at the Natural Resources Park include:

• Moon Tree – A sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) grown from a seed that orbited Earth on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1984.
• Johnny Appleseed Apple Tree – A Malus spp. grown from a scion taken from a known Johnny Appleseed tree at the Heritage Garden at the Ohio Governor’s Residence.
• The Governors Grove – A collection of mixed hardwoods planted by the current and former governors of Ohio.
• The Buckeye Grove – A grove of different buckeye species with a monument recognizing all the U.S. Presidents from Ohio. The Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is Ohio’s official state tree and is found in this grove. Also near the Buckeye Grove is the Ohio State National Championship tree, planted in 2025 to celebrate the national title win.

In addition to being open during the Ohio State Fair, Natural Resources Park also hosts year-round educational programs that help Ohio students learn about the environment and natural resource stewardship.

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