Campus workday will bring students, faculty, staff and community partners together to plant trees, beautify campus and invest in its future
Presbyterian College is inviting students, faculty, staff, and community members to roll up their sleeves Saturday, Nov. 14, and help create a greener, more beautiful campus for generations of Blue Hose.
The college will host a volunteer workday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of its ongoing Pond and Arboretum Project, an initiative to enhance the landscape surrounding the campus pond and develop a more inviting outdoor space for the PC community.
Volunteers will plant donated trees and shrubs, spread mulch, and assist with landscaping and cleanup. Participants may work the morning shift from 9 a.m. to noon, the afternoon shift from noon to 3 p.m., or both.
Organizers hope to recruit approximately 30 volunteers throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to register by Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Growing Through Partnerships
The project is supported by several community partners whose contributions are helping bring the vision to life.
Palmetto Pride is donating approximately 30 trees, while an original arboretum donor, Wil Sligh, has contributed 100 magnolia trees to the broader initiative. Carolina Beautiful is assisting with tree placement and planting preparation, and United Rentals is providing equipment support. Alumnus Jake Moore has made a generous donation to the cause as part of the Irmo Arbor Day Committee.
Clemson University also has helped advance the initiative, while the Lumber Yard, SVS and PC’s Residence Life team are supporting the volunteer workday by providing meals.
The Nov. 14 event represents an important first step in a larger vision for the area. Future possibilities include developing a walking path around the pond, creating additional outdoor gathering spaces and making further landscape improvements.
A Lasting Investment in PC’s Campus
The project builds on Presbyterian College’s longstanding commitment to preserving its natural beauty and promoting environmental stewardship.
That commitment recently earned PC Level I accreditation from the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, making it only the second college campus in South Carolina to receive the designation.
The work also supports ongoing efforts to restore the college’s tree canopy following Hurricane Helene in 2024, when dozens of trees were lost across the 240-acre campus.
For volunteers, the workday offers more than an opportunity to plant trees and improve the landscape. It is a chance to take part in something lasting — strengthening the campus community while helping create a beautiful outdoor environment that future generations of Blue Hose can enjoy.
Volunteer Workday Details
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
- Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Presbyterian College pond and arboretum
- Morning shift: 9 a.m. to noon
- Afternoon shift: Noon to 3 p.m.
- Registration deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch provided
