Grants for Good: ReLeaf Aiken

Keep Aiken County Beautiful (KACB) is making a lasting impact with the support of a PalmettoPride Tree Grant, an initiative that empowers communities to enhance public spaces through tree plantings. This year, KACB received 300 trees through the grant, including white flowering dogwoods, red maples, and giant Thujas for a total value of $15,050. Tree plantings have long been a tactic of litter prevention, because they foster a sense of pride among community members. 

The tree-planting effort, known as “ReLeaf Aiken: Community Tree Planting Project,” targets areas that have experienced deforestation and urban development, helping to restore the county’s natural tree canopy. Made available for personal/private property, familes and individuals plant and care for the trees. A tree’s canopy is the shade provided by the branches and leaves of the tree; when widespread, the canopy cools the areas beneath and around them by providing shade. In addition to creating wildlife habitats, canopies can also lead to reductions in pollution, stormwater runoff, and carbon footprints. Once fully grown, the trees will collectively sequester nearly 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier ecosystem, all while enhancing the visual appeal of the community.

 “We’re always happy to contribute to keeping Aiken County clean and green,” said Kandace Cave with Keep Aiken County Beautiful. “Whether it’s organizing litter pickups or helping bring trees to the community, we know that every effort makes a difference.”

This initiative goes beyond planting trees; it also focuses on community engagement and education. Residents are actively involved in the planting process, creating a sense of ownership and pride in the project. While the grant program has been a tool for further connecting KACB to the people it serves, its importance has been especially highlighted in the wake of Hurricane Helene last September. The storm caused widespread damage, toppling tens of thousands of mature trees and leaving many areas without the shade, beauty and ecological benefits they once provided. An estimated 1-4% of South Carolina’s tree canopy coverage was lost. Many of the trees distributed through this project are replacing those lost to the hurricane, helping the county recover from the destruction and demonstrating the resiliency of South Carolinians when we work together.

Workshops and events organized by KACB teach community members about tree care and the importance of environmental stewardship, ensuring the long-term success of the project. This collaborative effort complements KACB’s other program offerings, such as South Carolina Adopt-a-Highway, through which KACB coordinates volunteer cleanups of state-maintained roads in Aiken County, and the newly adopted Larry’s Litter Busters Kids Club, which invites families and organizations serving children ages 4-10 to explore Aiken County’s beautiful greenspaces, learn about environmental stewardship, and take pride in keeping their neighborhoods clean.

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