Mission

The Trees Columbus mission is to PLANT, PRESERVE and PROTECT trees. Healthy trees, the urban landscape, and community tree canopy increase property values, clean our air and water and improve quality of life. Trees have a tremendous impact on our emotional well-being as well as the local economy. Our legacy tree canopy has been cut in half, with most of this loss coming from the last thirty years. Trees Columbus volunteers PLANT thousands of trees throughout our community. Our education programs PRESERVE tree canopy for generations to come. We also PROTECT trees through state and local advocacy.

Our offices are housed in Uptown Columbus in the Spencer Environmental Center, sharing space with the Chattahoochee Fall Line Conservation Partnership, the Chattahoochee River Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, and Nature Now in the restored 1837 Swift-Kyle House.

history

In 2000, a small and determined group of citizens founded Trees Columbus, Inc. in response to the imminent loss of 150 mature trees in Lakebottom Park. Because a few committed individuals noticed fluorescent pink ties around trees, asked questions, and acted decisively in the community’s best interest, the majestic trees remain; and Lakebottom Park flourished as one of our city’s most beloved gathering places, balancing recreation facilities with the park’s natural beauty.

The ongoing efforts of Trees Columbus have resulted in the passage of a Tree Ordinance and the planting of over 20,000 new trees in our community; urban forestry education programs have engaged Columbus residents in planting, preserving, and protecting our vital tree canopy; and our advocacy efforts are helping protect hundreds of thousands of public trees along highway rights of way in Columbus and throughout the state.