Introduction

Trees are important to our everyday life. They provide numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. The Tree Ordinance Project represents the culmination of my Energy and Sustainability Policy journey. For this capstone project, I partnered with the Stormwater Compliance Department of Columbia County, GA, in an effort to better protect and preserve trees in the county through ordinance research and community education.

The project's main focus was to review Columbia County's tree-related ordinances, compare those to other jurisdictions in the area and across the state, and offer recommendations to strengthen Columbia County's ordinances. Additionally, the project aimed to educate the community about trees in the area, and their importance, by creating a native tree catalog and handouts highlighting the many benefits of trees.