The Big Plant is a community event hosted by New River Conservancy, the Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech, and the Stroubles Creek Coalition where thousands of trees are planted on Virginia Tech's campus and surrounding Blacksburg area to initiate ecological restoration. The event is open to the public, which brings in hundreds of students and community members of all backgrounds and ages to volunteer.

The Big Plant strives to enable positive environmental change for individuals who may think they have no power over their macro-environment. The original cause for the Big Plant was to combat climate change, and while that is still a primary focus, trees can serve as an ecological answer for more than one environmental issue. 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead