The Big Plant is a new service event that seeks to plant 4,000 to 5,000 trees across two sites in Blacksburg and Montgomery County on Saturday, March 30. The event is hosted by the Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech in partnership with Sustainable Blacksburg. 

All ages are welcome to participate, and equipment will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves, a water bottle, and a lunch or snacks. Close-toed shoes and layers are recommended.

Volunteers will meet on the Drillfield in front of the pylons at 10:30 a.m. for sign in. A Virginia Tech parking permit is not required on Saturdays except for certain locations. Volunteers will hear an address on climate change and the impacting planting trees can have on sequestering carbon. Teams will be divided up and will proceed to one of the two tree-planting sites.  

Site #1 is a section of Stroubles Creek located near Foxridge. This site is accessible by Blacksburg Transit. Site #2 is Paris Mountain Farm in Ellett Valley, and requires carpooling. Stroubles Creek volunteers will be led onto the BT bus ($0.50 fare or Hokie ID), and to the site by a leader. The Paris Mountain Farm address is 2068 Lusters Gate Rd., Blacksburg. 

Plantings will last from around noon to 4 p.m. tentatively. Some music and light snacks/refreshments will be provided. Volunteers then have the option to come camp out at the New River Junction (bring your own tent). Another planting will follow the next day early in the morning.  

Preregistration is not required, but is very helpful for the planning team. Preregistration form 

For questions or comments, please contact event organizer Ibrahim Mohamed at ibemoh77@vt.edu.