CA partners with Columbia villages to give away 1,000 trees to residents each year
CA is excited to kick off a new initiative to give away up to 100 trees to each of Columbia’s 10 villages every year. Thanks to CA’s investment, residents will have the opportunity to plant 1,000 native trees in the community annually.
“By partnering with our village community associations to distribute free trees to Columbia residents, CA will promote greater access to trees and their many benefits,” said CA Sustainability Manager Danielle Tyeryar. “Trees beautify our community and serve numerous vital purposes, like filtering our air and water, providing a home for wildlife and removing carbon from the atmosphere.”
Villages can request a variety of native species from CA, including flowering dogwood, Eastern Redbud and pawpaw. Once a request is fulfilled, the village will distribute the trees to residents to plant in their yards.
“The Town Center Community Association is proud to partner with CA in the tree giveaway program to help beautify Columbia and Town Center,” said Town Center Village Manager Lyn Locke, whose village community association gave away trees to 100 residents this past weekend. “We appreciate CA’s passion for protecting the pathways, eliminating invasive species, reducing the carbon footprint and bringing a smile to the face of all Columbians with the simple beauty of a tree.”
In addition to supplying trees, CA provides expert guidance on proper planting techniques and tree care to each participant.
“Planting a mix of native trees helps us ensure a stronger, more resilient ecosystem,” said Conservation Landscape Specialist Eric Walker. “For instance, a native oak can host over 400 caterpillar species, while some invasives support only a handful. This is just one example of how native trees promote a healthier environment – an effort crucial to CA’s mission for more than 50 years.”
“Giving away trees is a great way to encourage new faces to participate in community events and expand CA’s existing tree-planting efforts,” said Tyeryar. “It’s truly an exciting initiative that will benefit the community in the years to come as these trees grow.”
CA plants an average of 1,000 trees in open space each year. The organization hosts numerous community tree-planting events each spring and fall (learn more about upcoming events here). CA is also a proud supporter of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ 5 Million Trees Initiative, a historic directive aiming to plant 5 million trees in Maryland by 2031.
Learn more about CA’s sustainability efforts at ColumbiaAssociation.org/open-space/sustainability-initiatives.
