A Columbia non-profit is raising money to fund their initiative that aims to reduce one microclimatic effect that can be seen in parts of the Soda City.

The urban heat island effect is an issue seen in cities across the country where urban landscapes see hotter temperatures than rural areas due to excessive amounts of impermeable surfaces like parking lots and sidewalks. These surfaces cause hotter temperatures when there is not enough vegetation to counterbalance the heat.

In 2022, the University of South Carolina’s geography department partnered with the City of Columbia and other organizations to conduct a heat-mapping study to identify which parts of the city are seeing the strongest impacts of the heat island effect. This study found that many areas of downtown Columbia, specifically near the Barnwell Street parking lot, see temperature spikes up to 18 degrees hotter than other parts of the city.

Meteorologist Chris Landolfi with the National Weather Service says trees and sufficient vegetation reduce this effect.

“It’s shade in the case of trees, but also through transpiration when moisture releases through the leaves of the vegetation,” Landolfi said.

Jennifer Young, the executive director of Columbia Green, said the cooling effect of trees is the main reason for their Beat the Heat Plant a Tree initiative. This program donates trees to individuals for them to plant on their properties.

Private property developments are a key focus for Columbia Green because public projects already follow guidelines to protect Columbia’s tree canopies.

Brian Neiger, the superintendent of Forestry and Beautification for the City of Columbia, said, “We cut down about 400 trees a year, but we replant 500.”

To continue giving away trees for free, Columbia Green is raising money since they lost their funding. Columbia Green used to receive money through the Inflation Reduction Act, but that was cut in February.

Despite funding issues, Young said their demand is only ramping up. She said they have received orders for 2,000 trees and by the end of next week they will have distributed 1,600.

Columbia Green hopes that as these trees are planted and their roots spread, Columbia’s temperatures will come down, one degree at a time.