Richland County received a 2014 Local Government Energy Leadership Award from the South Carolina Energy Office and the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.

Over the years Richland County's Neighborhood Planning Conference has woven environmental and smart growth principals into its educational sessions, from keynote speakers such as Joe, Minicozzi, Mitch Silver, and Ellen Dunham- Jones.  This year we had another great line up of sustainability presentations. 

Thanks to the University of South Carolina service students, the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation, and Fuss and O'Neill, Keep the Midlands Beautiful and Sustainable Midlands for a great partnership for an Invasive Species Removal Workday at Granby Park on Saturday, October 11th 10:00am - 2:00pm.

Richland R.U.N.S., a 10K run and 5K run/walk, took place Saturday, Oct. 4, at the County’s Jim Hamilton–L.B. Owens Airport (CUB). About 70 registered walkers and runners gathered at the airport as morning broke, and by 7:45 a.m., 10K runners were weaving their way through the historic Rosewood community with 5K runners and walkers following after.  The wellness event also featured the county's first take on a zero waste race. 

Program Encourages Projects to Benefit the Environment

Earlier this week Richland County passed a resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Dickerson to recognize the last Saturday of September each year as Green Apple Day of Service.

The Green Apple Day of Service provides inspiration for Richland County parents, teachers, students, companies, and local organizations to transform their school environments into healthier, more cost-effective, and more sustainable places to learn through local service projects.