Columbia Open Space Tree Planting 2024

Howard County’s Office of Community Sustainability partnered with the Columbia Association (CA) and Howard EcoWorks to plant 355 large stock trees in CA Open Space during the second week of December 2024. This work was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, which promotes community-based conservation to protect and restore the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay. The project reforests areas of canopy lost to the impacts of the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle which decimated regional ash tree populations. OCS is extremely grateful to Howard EcoWorks for their labor over four cold and wet days, as well as all of the volunteer help provided by the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps members, Grow Home Baltimore, and local community members. The native trees this team planted will contribute to healthier streams and cleaner air, as well as beautify a section of walking trail in Columbia with several showier native species such as eastern redbud, sweet bay magnolia, and black tupelo.