Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, has taken a big step towards improving its environment by forming a new Tree Task Force. The group, which held its first meeting on Monday, was created with the goal of preserving and expanding the town’s green spaces.
What is the Tree Task Force?
The Tree Task Force was established in June to help Mount Pleasant focus on sustainable green infrastructure. The group’s mission is to make sure the town’s tree canopy is well-maintained, resilient, and offers benefits like beauty, environmental health, and economic value.
Mount Pleasant Councilman Mike Tinkey emphasized the importance of creating a long-term strategy for green spaces, not just focusing on the typical infrastructure like roads and buildings. “The town is seeing the importance of a strategic vision for a green infrastructure, not just a gray infrastructure,” said Tinkey.
Goals for Mount Pleasant’s Tree Canopy
The Tree Task Force will look at both short-term and long-term goals outlined in the Community Forest Master Plan. This plan aims to improve and protect the town’s trees, ensuring they continue to thrive for generations to come.
David Quick, a member of the Tree Task Force, shared his personal goal: “One of my biggest goals is to find out what we lost but also find a way to replace what’s been lost and protect what we have.”
Collaboration with Experts
The group is made up of people with different backgrounds in forestry and environmental science. They will work with leaders from the Riley Institute to protect, expand, and plan for the future of Mount Pleasant’s tree canopy. “Helping our wildlife, they are experiencing the loss of tree cover too, and I think people here really love seeing wildlife in their community,” Quick explained. He added that this connection to nature is what makes the area special.
Understanding Mount Pleasant’s Forests
To make informed decisions, the Tree Task Force plans to learn about the types of trees currently in Mount Pleasant, their ages, where they are planted, and what the forests in the area looked like in the past. Councilman Tinkey stressed the importance of considering history when planning for the future. “It’s important to have a historical perspective on what the forest looked like and what it didn’t look like, from Native American times through different wars and farming eras,” said Tinkey.
What’s Next for the Tree Task Force?
The Tree Task Force is in effect for one year, during which time the group will develop strategies and policy recommendations to help Mount Pleasant meet its environmental goals. The group’s work is just beginning, but the plan is to ensure the town’s green spaces grow, thrive, and remain part of the community for years to come.
