This past Saturday, February 5th, Britton’s Neck residents were joined by Sara Green, SCWF’s executive director, volunteers, and partner organizations, New Alpha Community Development Corporation, Environmental Action Club (SC State University), and The Dogwood Alliance, for a kickoff event celebrating the start of a project to plant 1,000 trees in the rural community of Britton’s Neck to reduce flooding.  This first tree-planting was a success!  Not only were 500 Dogwoods and Eastern Redbuds planted in the areas most affected by flooding, but residents also received trees to plant in their own yards. All 1,000 trees were paid for by the National Wildlife Federation.
The community of Brittons Neck has seen serious flooding issues over the last several years after the Flood of 2015 and Hurricanes Matthew & Florence.  As a result, schools and businesses have closed and residents have been forced to evacuate away from their homes that had been in their families for generations.
Community residents and partner organizations are joining together to make some changes before the next storm.  1000 trees which are native to our area and help to soak up water and provide drainage are being planted to improve the quality of life for residents, combat climate change, and make the community more resilient from flooding.  Natural infrastructure, or green space, is critical for storage and drainage of water during major storm events.

See news reports and more info on the project here:

• WMBF News, Community plants trees to help severe flooding
• WBTW News, Volunteers tackle flooding in rural Marion County by planting trees around wetlands.
• The Call, New Alpha CDC – Interview with Sara Green at SCWF about natural infrastructure and climate resilience.

There will be subsequent tree plantings each weekend in February until 1,000 trees are planted in this community.  Please use the link below to sign up to be a part of this project!

Volunteer to help with future tree-planting events here: