Beat the Heat—Plant a Tree Lives on Despite Loss of Federal Funding
As of February 20th, 2025, Columbia Green and the City of Columbia received official notice that federal funding for the Beat the Heat—Plant a Tree program has ended. This initiative represents a vital collaboration between the City and Columbia Green, with the aim of distributing trees for planting on private properties throughout the community…
Columbia’s Urban Heat Islands
In 2022, the University of South Carolina, in collaboration with Benedict College, the City of Columbia, and engaged local community members, released an in-depth heat map study of Columbia. This comprehensive analysis revealed a critical issue: certain neighborhoods within the city experienced temperature differences of up to 18.5 degrees Fahrenheit compared with other areas of the City…