The significance of our natural resources and the desire to conserve what we have is becoming increasingly important to South Carolina’s citizens. Unprecedented population, development, and economic growth are generating discussion about how we provide balance to this new found prosperity. To ensure that South Carolina’s growth is socially, economically and environmentally responsible, the issues and opportunities that potentially will affect community well-being must be anticipated and addressed.

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Population growth and accompanying land development is occurring more rapidly and on a larger scale than ever before in South Carolina. When land is developed, trees and other natural resources may be threatened. But trees also make valuable contributions to a community’s physical and economic health by improving the appearance of public infrastructure and private development and by reducing summer heat gain and soil erosion, for example. Municipalities and counties in South Carolina have many opportunities to integrate trees into public and private development.

Over a relatively short time counties and municipalities in South Carolina have moved away from rural traditions and now deal with larger urban constituencies and increased demand for public services. In addition, the Office of Research and Statistics at the South Carolina Budget and Control Board projects that the state will add more than a million residents through 2025. Population growth of this magnitude promises major changes to the state’s economic base, but will also place physical demands on its natural resources. South Carolina must meet the challenge of these coming changes and turn them into opportunities.