[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6096146,"mediaKeyId","2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc","parentId",2833705,"title","Staff highlights urban-forest inventory, pollinator gardens and 12 Mile Park improvements","audioSeconds",391,"startMs",3423000,"endMs",3814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc&start=3423&end=3814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc/thumbnail_3423000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6096146/Clemson/Pickens/South-Carolina/Staff-highlights-urban-forest-inventory-pollinator-gardens-and-12-Mile-Park-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096146-c79731baf5f44260fc0b8ed85098a887/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068033&Signature=Lx-Or0sJ1IjOFahBzjdtAPhtaPhiF7w9kaXKKX6EJlQXTjlv8tuns~cyCGguWSxzvJFS-YGU3e~Lqo8vZDKc7SBBcICSj4qOc8p7~TyctkcSMuiO0mT~rbujFVQSRGrirAwp759FxoCWuK07YTYOiVJ9vyRMlOPcj993869HnSb9rILHoXOjDByjalS7pTBg3~PORoun6dYYM55C14Qgoc-TpkXxA6G4MUUuOI7PLtJapO77-wjJYkKulSUs-a1IQLxqM0mjPlEFZpXlrfiWXjiDFX~Ap67tlRdf-NOywVf4XRIQ09dsxxNbVC--a7Hxm4eQjMBKTrzh4gTtEbOACQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clemson South Carolina","date","2025-01-08T00:00:00Z","article","City staff presented a broad parks and urban-forestry update noting inventory, volunteer and maintenance metrics, and capital priorities for 2025.

Staff said 1,088 trees were added to the public tree inventory in 2024 through intern and volunteer efforts and student projects. The urban crew recorded about 2,032 pounds of litter collected from parks, rights-of-way and green spaces last year (down from earlier years) and reported 423 volunteers participated in community cleanups and Grama-in-the-Park activities. Staff highlighted pollinator and native-plant demonstration beds (including work by Kathy Robinson and retired extension agents at Sedgefield) and described plans for Berkeley Orchard to include intentional meadows and low-input fruit trees as demonstration landscaping.

Tony noted workforce training goals: two crew members are completing a South Carolina Scape Professional Certification program and one employee is pursuing a commercial driver's license (CDL) to help the crew access larger equipment. For 12 Mile Park, staff outlined plans to replace bilingual park signs, remodel failing restrooms, add sand to the beach area, investigate ADA parking and accessibility to picnic shelters, and consider playground replacement; troop and volunteer projects (including an Eagle Scout trail project) are under way for single-track nature trails and interpretive signage.

Staff also described a proposed urban-forest master plan and said they will seek matching grant funding to develop a comprehensive plan that would cover public and private trees, canopy goals and habitat corridors. The staff presentation noted opportunities for city-university collaboration and recommended bringing a funding request to city council as part of the budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025_01_08 Sustainability Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported adding 1,088 trees to the public inventory in 2024, volunteer engagement metrics and goals for pollinator gardens, an urban-forest master plan grant pursuit and planned improvements at 12 Mile Park.","taxTitle","Clemson, Pickens, South Carolina","taxId",70283,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096150,"Committee awaits city energy-efficiency review before pursuing solar repairs or grant applications",198,1038000,1236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc&start=1038&end=1236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc/thumbnail_1038000.jpg","/articles/6096150/Clemson/Pickens/South-Carolina/Committee-awaits-city-energy-efficiency-review-before-pursuing-solar-repairs-or-grant-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096150-10eed63052512d2b5600b2d5f504e87c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068033&Signature=Lct1VMImKMTXmeuBJQv-N6Uwt3GPVXLvH2UiaaCzo4lLh1l4q-eC5z0Vnnr1yN4NFV9zVmg0QqA3OYU82cls2FslwsUQiJ-PY77cJKQJ4LdbzdAOEJcHrGbv6LeT-rkeqL1embZt7jvtBp7i231pIcGfLR1l9FRWIM1OAHwSozTL3Q~oEp2ji9qfsrYDfS1NhIdcRAJ4Xq~iV8RbUttZUeQBcFfxGjlVCyNyUhuVApsYAMVEwBlj5AnkOq5es0xlH27bfaD83X7Ynuzih6zAyfyAlLXvq~2gh3UENkesSAD4r~Sh0zwu40J5HfEx-zUnXvN~1YNJfuBJVZNe5Hn-2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee’s energy-efficiency subcommittee said it is holding further action until the city’s contractor report on municipal buildings is complete and presented to the subcommittee.

Members said contractors inspected four or five large city facilities, including the utility building, the sewer plant and the recreation center, and also reviewed solar arrays that are currently offline at the community center (CAT) and the recreation center. The contractor’s forthcoming report is expected to include three-year models and return-on-investment projections that the subcommittee wants before recommending repairs or capital requests to the city.

Subcommittee members noted past missed grant opportunities and urged committee members to monitor resilience- and energy-related funding. One member said she has signed up for the South Carolina Office of Resiliency (SOR) newsletter and encouraged members to register for funding announcements. Members also discussed potential low-cost measures such as LED retrofits, but some speakers raised concerns about recent health-field research on LED lighting and asked the committee to consider human-health impacts alongside energy savings.

The subcommittee asked to have the contractor present its findings to the committee when the report is available so members can assess cost-effectiveness, lifespan of existing equipment, and whether repair or replacement would be the most economical path.","The energy-efficiency subcommittee said it will wait for a city facilities audit before prioritizing repairs to solar installations and pursuing grant funding; members discussed federal grant windows and ROI modeling.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096156,"Committee urges review of tree ordinance, eyes Charleston-style measures and incentives",1390,1557000,2947000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc&start=1557&end=2947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc/thumbnail_1557000.jpg","/articles/6096156/Clemson/Pickens/South-Carolina/Committee-urges-review-of-tree-ordinance-eyes-Charleston-style-measures-and-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096156-0fcc8c9c35f3d48048b8cd4f9ce33d78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068033&Signature=aYwz7-UggzPqmQ0Wm7Jvibi5b2gyz8VRgm6xyEwDYeUZovtwv-uY2SLf1NUYCB4s0--IHBcjAasnOIdUql2e13rXOFsdnOnpU2-p80nJaT4lOGJ32SaCli15TdueBxFOMD4nIgTF1-WGUohtcmzorygRvrxbo03-wTdQyMkfbiP2svUdcPaVOaKItsl6e4PQcne-ugzat6fMgzzZaRh~Fw2RO5a6uUj8P51RIQ-ID8D023N3utSUW85Jonr-UwMFct1q2xWtnyc1esvAINnihsUfFny0CKYarl7imDr1gB9IIT~fgNVP2poLmr0mfnnypxmFKHMnhAqf2bcsbllJ3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clemson Sustainability Committee’s tree-preservation subcommittee recommended a substantive review and redraft of the city’s tree ordinance, proposing a mix of stronger protections and incentive-based measures to preserve canopy and protect trees near development.

Members discussed models from other jurisdictions, citing Charleston and Port Royal as examples of differing approaches. Committee members said the city currently has a commercial tree ordinance but no comprehensive private-tree ordinance; they discussed a permit threshold tied to trunk diameter, replacement-tree requirements, and fines or in-lieu payments for unauthorized removals. One member described the Charleston/Johns Island-style approach that requires replacement plantings and may require three replacement trees for a removed specimen above a stated caliper.

Speakers noted several implementation issues: the ordinance would have to balance private-property rights, safety exceptions for dead or imminently failing trees, and the administrative burden on staff to inspect trees and process permits. The committee also discussed voluntary conservation tools: a resident could protect trees in perpetuity via deed restriction or a trust, which several speakers called an option that the city could better publicize. Members raised practical concerns, including whether arborist reports and permit costs would place a burden on homeowners and how root-zone protections would be enforced when development occurs adjacent to private lots.

Committee members proposed steps: the subcommittee will redline the existing ordinance rather than drafting from scratch, identify three to six priority changes and prepare an initial draft for review by the full committee in March. The group said they will invite the city engineer (Nathan Hinkle) and urban forestry staff (Nathan Woods) to discuss technical and site-specific constraints once the subcommittee completes its redline.","Members recommended revising Clemson’s tree ordinance, exploring stronger commercial protections, a landmark-tree trust option, and incentives like replacement plantings and developer tree funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096160,"Committee plans outreach push for homeowner wildlife certification and spring events",761,262000,1023000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc&start=262&end=1023","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc/thumbnail_262000.jpg","/articles/6096160/Clemson/Pickens/South-Carolina/Committee-plans-outreach-push-for-homeowner-wildlife-certification-and-spring-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096160-9f46d1792727f67b4d867c6892eedeee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068033&Signature=QC2YQRq9Ax6Dkl4Msl8W5SVXycb5tG0nQcFXvVy4HJByQFT8Ks4ve6iznxMF2ix7VhYUU-KjgE6YwxqkUKSdJ08RjRK~wWdlpIp6jW94C7SXef6U2zMbZzZFperXr917SPGM61hPTKhDu6vrc~PfZQ7ZDAkOl6LTH5IDBpjUAcCvs-tk82e~cQpmXWGzTotuwhV0wubXuyHeQgdTQbTAMgXGf2NWl7GuQK-XnIh6uswS9BgQLLwaNjT6ZEx3HGT-qT-0eSsKDN3oV3-IOYwxh3dBb7BV3ktjIHajFIStyEHY45cMS2gx67n-U-CXL0JzwoSp3t0mHqAfJ1PQZGXZjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Clemson Sustainability Committee’s wildlife-certification subcommittee described outreach plans to increase homeowner participation in a voluntary wildlife-certification program and to certify additional public spaces ahead of Earth Day.

The subcommittee reported a brainstorming session that produced tactics including social media, a wildlife photo competition, a spring education event, a booth at the farmer’s market, targeted outreach to homeowners associations, churches and clubs, and printed flyers distributed at neighborhood meetings. Committee members said Chris is the contact for Clemson Downs and is working on a Facebook page, and that the subcommittee will consult Greer — which is already certified — for pointers.

The subcommittee said administrative certification work is nearly complete: “I have them all submitted, all but 40 points,” one member reported, and 20 additional points require small corrections; the member predicted the certifications should be finalized within about a week. The group also reported resident sign-ups at about 65% of the program goal and estimated it still needs roughly 100 additional households to reach its target.

Planned public events include a community walk on the Green Crescent Trail tied to on-site certifications and a possible March–April outreach push at the botanical garden and the farmer’s market. The committee said it will reach out to the Clemson Botanical Garden, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Clemson Extension’s wildlife-education program for technical support and speakers. Committee members also discussed creating a draft outreach email and social posts that volunteers can forward to neighborhood lists and community forums.

Members identified Brie Sanders, the new city public information officer, as a potential communications partner for publicity and said printed flyer copies will be available at Nettles office and at committee members’ homes.","The wildlife-certification subcommittee outlined outreach tactics, partnerships and a spring public event to increase homeowner sign-ups and certify additional parks and properties.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6096165,"Committee approves December minutes, accepts resignation and appoints interim secretary",0,4298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc&start=4298&end=4298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833705-3eaf600cef2816b539a51d28854f5bdc/thumbnail_4298000.jpg","/articles/6096165/Clemson/Pickens/South-Carolina/Committee-approves-December-minutes-accepts-resignation-and-appoints-interim-secretary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096165-34afb3309d4984fab791047f54667cfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771068033&Signature=nkFkjqKuaFV~F1Y~9w-hQs93jQ83OXbGC5sMAe1-Ey9RTvShnxRtDwszQZSeRkzvqXUPN7N7x0iYh9-O2pYwO5qJWD196q804HyzNsCJH9P91VG3jtwHu1fFTRge0RYn4S8fd96qejyPpRJi2dC19fF2F90V3e~bB-LEatRDBMeZOhovPIQgy9OkOA20cQnbyxqV8sFfYXq1Z4RgATYak-qLMb~-eBGTGIXCdn3IPpt0OfaBoYTxNWXPnkqBUZkzj9e7bdVUShnMkMExQuntstnW~RSBRyQeN4MMViAcrCBFYU9UAtlqRhRTcV3NaGVyuzwf~XxgSHNYZop5ZHk9jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clemson Sustainability Committee approved its Dec. 11 meeting minutes, accepted a member’s resignation and appointed an interim secretary during routine business at the start of the meeting.

Committee members moved and seconded to approve the minutes as written; the chair then called the vote and members responded in the affirmative. A separate motion to accept the resignation of Mary Hendricks was moved, seconded and discussed; members acknowledged her email notifying the committee of her departure and expressed gratitude for her service. The committee also nominated and voted to appoint Nancy as secretary; Nancy had been taking minutes informally and members voted in favor of her formal nomination.

The motions were procedural and no amendments or conditions were recorded in the meeting transcript. The minutes approval, resignation acceptance and secretary appointment were handled during the opening portion of the agenda before substantive committee reports and new-business items.

The committee adjourned at the end of the meeting after completing new-business discussion and staff reports.","At its recent meeting the Clemson Sustainability Committee approved minutes from Dec. 11, accepted a member resignation and unanimously appointed Nancy as interim secretary.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staff highlights urban-forest inventory, pollinator gardens and 12 Mile Park improvements

Committee awaits city energy-efficiency review before pursuing solar repairs or grant applications

Committee urges review of tree ordinance, eyes Charleston-style measures and incentives

Committee plans outreach push for homeowner wildlife certification and spring events

Committee approves December minutes, accepts resignation and appoints interim secretary