About Us
Trees SC was founded in 1991 as a non-profit organization to foster the stewardship of South Carolina’s urban and community forests through education, advocacy, and networking. Urban and community forests include all the trees in your community: tree-lined roads, parks, neighborhoods, and commercial building sites. Taking care of the trees in these areas benefits the environmental, social, and economic well-being of your community.
Our Goals
- To extend the collective knowledge and awareness of the value, management and wise use of trees
- To facilitate information exchange concerning the management of urban and community forests
- To encourage citizens to take an active interest in the care and management of urban and community forests
Programs & Activities
- EDUCATION: Each year, Trees SC sponsors its annual conference that features national speakers on a variety of topics pertinent to urban forestry. We also conduct numerous educational workshops and seminars, including the South Carolina Arborist Workshop and our community-based educational sessions.
- AWARDS: We recognize individuals and organizations that make outstanding contributions to urban forestry in our state through the Golden Acorn Awards, and our Heritage Tree Award recognizes a special community tree or group of trees that have historical or cultural significance.
- NEWSLETTER: The Acorn, our quarterly e-newsletter, informs readers and decision-makers about the work Trees SC and our local communities are doing to protect our state’s trees.
Our Team
Trees SC works with an incredible team of members, sponsors, and various partners that are committed to protecting our state’s trees and advocating for urban and community forests. Each member is an invaluable partner in our mission in promoting the value of trees in our communities.
Our Board
Trees SC has an active board that works to further our mission and provide educational opportunities to professionals and communities throughout our state. Board members represent all regions of South Carolina and various professions in urban forestry, including arborists, foresters, planners, horticulturists, landscapers, professors, nonprofit managers and concerned citizens.
Board Members
Matt Clinton, President, City Forester, City of Rock Hill
Amanda Flake, Vice President, Natural Resource Planner, Beaufort County
Rachel d’Entremont, Secretary, Owner, For the Record Inventories, LLC
Tim Gillette, Treasurer, Operations Director, City of Tega Cay
Tom Knowles, Urban Forester, Green Infrastructure Center Inc.
Cory Tanner, Horticulture Program Team Director, Clemson Extension Service
Drew Smith, Urban Forester, City of Greenville
Whitt Cline, Director of Public Service, Town of Irmo
Lois Edwards, President, Pineover, LLC
Liz Gilland, Urban Forester, City of Camden
Robbie Derrick, Development Manager, County of Lexington
Bobby Fralix, Operations Manager, O.A.K. Services
Danny Jones, Ex-officio, Landscape Architect
Ryan Quinn, Utility Forester, Berkeley Electric Cooperative
Franklin Williams, Supervisor of ROW & Land Surveying, Horry Electric Cooperative
Joie O’Brien-Reynolds, Sr. Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Duke Energy
Joelle Teachey, Executive Counsel, TreesUpstate
Clark Beavans, Ex-officio, Retired
Frances Waite, Advisor, Urban Forestry Coordinator, SC Forestry Commission
Sarah Morris, Executive Director, Trees SC
Contact Us
Address
info@treessc.org