The City of Columbia and Columbia Green will host a Beat the Heat educational event on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Eau Claire Print Building, 3907 Ensor Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201. Beat the Heat is a partnership between Columbia Green and the City of Columbia that provides free shade trees to property owners throughout Columbia to improve residents’ health and neighborhood livability.
The event is open to the public, with doors opening at 9:30 a.m.
Attendees will learn about:
- Proper planting, mulching, and watering techniques
- Tree species available during the 2026-2027 planting season, which begins in mid-October
- How to select the right tree based on location
- Best practices and guidance from certified arborists and horticulturists
Residential and commercial property owners can access a resource library and order up to three free trees per household visiting the Columbia Green website.
Events will focus on ecological, economic, and health benefits of trees, along with best practices for tree care and maintenance. Limited access to a healthy urban tree canopy can contribute to increased risks of stroke, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Ecologically, trees support healthier ecosystems by providing habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Economically, shade from trees can reduce street repaving costs by extending pavement life and can help lower stormwater management expenses by reducing runoff.
Beat the Heat – Plant a Tree kicked off in July 2024. Originally funded by a USDA grant, the program is now entirely funded by private donations to Columbia Green, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. Since its inception, the project has given away over 1,800 native 7-gallon shade trees. Beat the Heat’s goal is to help all neighborhoods reach a minimum threshold of 30% canopy coverage to improve public health.
For more information and to register for the event, please visit here.
*Please see the attached flyer
