Projects and Grants
Columbia Green is deeply involved in landscaping the Columbia area, which its members believe will benefit our residents, businesses and visitors alike. We work hard to build upon the natural beauty of our city by landscaping along our roadways, by adding trees to our parks, by awarding grants to schools and neighborhoods, and by working with other like-minded organizations throughout the area.
Our humble origins began in 1984 with small, container gardens in our city’s struggling neighborhoods. Modeled after a Philadelphia organization that uses gardens to further neighborhood revitalization, Columbia Green adopted the motto, “Strong neighborhoods through gardening.”
By the early 1990s, we widened our scope and embarked upon much larger projects at the major entrances and roadways throughout our city. While we continue to work with small neighborhood groups, we have also joined forces with SCDOT and Historic Columbia to take on the larger projects that will have the greatest impact upon our city. Columbia Green further provides approximately $15,000 a year to the city Forestry and Beautification Deportment for season annuals to keep our medians and public areas colorful throughout the year.
This year, Columbia Green is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and we are giving the community the gift! Columbia Green has earmarked $25,000 in grants over the next five years to plant canopy trees. Trees not only enhance the beauty of our city, but they also contribute to a sustainable environment by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water and harboring wildlife. To learn more about the tree initiative grants and download the application requirements, click here.