At Keep Laurens County Beautiful, we were thrilled to celebrate Arbor Day last Friday—a day dedicated to honoring trees and their vital role in our environment. In South Carolina, Arbor Day falls on the first Friday in December, aligning perfectly with our planting season, which runs from December to mid-March. This timing helps trees establish themselves during the cooler months, ensuring they thrive for years to come.

We planted four stunning Coral Branch Maple trees along the Swamp Rabbit Loop Trail in partnership with Laurens County Parks and Recreation. These trees enhance the trail’s natural beauty and contribute to our commitment to creating and maintaining vibrant green spaces in our community.

Last Friday wasn’t just about trees, though—it was a day packed with excitement! We also unveiled Laurens County’s first Environmental Sculpture, Buckley, the Deer, on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Loop Trail near the Chamber of Commerce.

Created by artist Jim Swaim in partnership with PalmettoPride, Buckley serves as a powerful reminder of how beautification can be a tool for litter prevention and how art has the power to inspire positive change within a community.

To top off the day, we celebrated our November Prisma Health Plogging Challenge winner and warmed up with coffee from the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission.

From planting trees to unveiling art, last Friday showcased the many ways we can come together to beautify Laurens County, inspire action, and invest in a sustainable future.

Let’s keep Laurens County beautiful—one project at a time!