City of Columbia selected for new Community Forest Program through Trees4SC

The City of Columbia has been selected as one of three South Carolina communities to participate in Trees4SC!, a new statewide community forestry initiative led by the Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) and the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s Urban and Community Forestry Program.

With funding provided by the USDA Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Trees4SC! supports local governments in mapping, planning, and growing healthy community forests. The program works to expand access to the many benefits trees provide, including cleaner air and water, reduced flooding, shade, and enhanced beauty throughout neighborhoods.

Columbia, along with the Cities of Lexington and Spartanburg, was selected for the program’s third round of funding, which will help communities plan and plant trees over the next two years, beginning in 2026.

A community forest represents all the trees within a city, including those along streets, in parks, and throughout neighborhoods, that collectively contribute to environmental health and community well-being. Trees reduce air pollution, filter stormwater, provide cooling shade, support wildlife, and increase property values. For cities like Columbia, tree canopy also helps mitigate summer heat and reduce energy costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses.”

Over the next year, the Green Infrastructure Center will partner with the City of Columbia to map the city’s tree canopy, identify open spaces suitable for tree planting, and pinpoint areas where trees can offer the greatest environmental and social benefits. In the second year, the project will launch a series of community engagement events where residents can learn more about the value of trees and even take home a free tree to plant.

Residents interested in helping shape the City’s community forest plan are invited to serve on a local advisory committee. To get involved, contact Brian Neiger, Superintendent of Forestry and Beautification, at [email protected].

For information about upcoming educational workshops or volunteer opportunities, contact Marsha Potter at [email protected] or Tom Knowles at [email protected].

Founded in 2006, the Green Infrastructure Center is a nonprofit organization that assists communities in developing strategies for protecting and conserving their ecological and cultural assets. The GIC conducts research, land-use planning and land assessment and mapping to provide the suite of tools needed by communities to protect and restore green assets.  For more information visit www.gicinc.org