As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the power of vision and the strength of community. Across South Carolina, people are rising to the challenge of protecting the places that make our state special: our rivers and waterways, our farmland and forests, our historic towns and growing cities.
That sense of purpose is at the heart of CVSC’s new 10-year strategic plan This plan is a promise to the people of South Carolina and our commitment to build a future where conservation is a driving force in shaping healthy, thriving communities
The plan rests on three guiding pillars:
Invest in People. Every movement begins with individuals who care deeply about the places they call home. CVSC is committed to equipping South Carolinians with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead. From community members who speak up at a local meeting to emerging leaders who step forward through our Palmetto Leadership Academy, we are investing in people who will carry conservation forward.
Build Political Power. Change does not happen without political will. That’s why we are focused on ensuring that conservation is a decisive force in South Carolina politics. By engaging voters, electing leaders who share these values, and holding elected officials accountable, we will make sure that conservation remains a priority no matter who is in office.
AFutureBuiltTogether
y p p, p p , p , p y g South Carolina where conservation is a shared priority and a source of pride Thank you for being part of this work
With gratitude,
Mark Robertson Chair of the Board of Directors Conservation Voters of South Carolina
ANewYear,ANewOpportunityfor ConservationProgress
The start of 2026 brings us into the second year of legislative session at the Statehouse, and with it, a renewed sense of anticipation and determination. Unfinished bills from last year are still in play, and new proposals must move quickly to make it to the finish line. For CVSC, it’s another pivotal year to advance bold policies that protect South Carolina’s air, land, and water.
The challenges we face are not new, but they are urgent Families across the state are experiencing rising energy costs, and communities are feeling the consequences of unchecked sprawl. The good news is that we have the opportunity to drive progress and action to meet these threats head-on.
Prosper & Preserve offers a practical roadmap to help communities manage growth, a critical piece of the puzzle for achieving the Governor’s ambitious land protection goal. At its heart are two tools that work hand in hand to balance growth with stewardship:
Transferable Development Rights (TDR) help communities guide growth toward areas with existing infrastructure while permanently protecting farmland, forests, and open space elsewhere. The program empowers local governments to plan sustainably— ensuring development is intentional and aligns with the goals of local communities.
Concurrent Infrastructure Requirements (CIR) ensure that new development includes plans for the roads, schools, and utilities it depends on. Tying growth to infrastructure readiness protects taxpayers, preserves rural character, and maintains South Carolina’s quality of life as the state continues to grow.
Together, these policies move South Carolina toward a future where prosperity and preservation coexist, supporting the Governor’s vision through thoughtful, sustainable planning.
After laying the groundwork for these bills last session, CVSC will return to the Statehouse in 2026 with even stronger bipartisan support. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize that empowering our local communities to manage growth helps protect South Carolina’s landscapes and is essential to a thriving future.
PoweringanAffordableEnergyFuture
aren’t stuck paying for unnecessary, polluting projects.
That same fight extends to the Public Service Commission (PSC), where critical decisions are made that will shape South Carolina’s energy future for decades to come. In the coming months, the PSC will consider proposals for new natural gas plants in Anderson and Colleton counties; projects that could lock our state into decades of higher costs and fossilfuel dependence. The proposed Canadys plant in Colleton County would also require a new natural gas pipeline through sensitive parts of the ACE Basin watershed.
CVSC is urging regulators to practice good stewardship of ratepayer dollars and our precious environment by listening to community concerns, exploring cleaner and more costeffective options, and ensuring families and businesses aren’t paying for oversized projects to boost utility profits.
CVSC’s 2026 energy priorities are built on a simple but powerful belief that every South Carolinian deserves clean, affordable energy and a voice in shaping the future. From the halls of the Statehouse to local council chambers, we’re working to ensure that progress never comes at the expense of people or place.
GetInvolved
Progress is shaped not only by lawmakers but by the people they represent, making your voice essential in the process. Whether it’s writing to your legislator, attending a local meeting, or speaking up about land protection and energy affordability, you have the power to make conservation a priority.
CVSC is here to keep you informed and make sure your voice counts
During the months ahead, we’ll share updates, action opportunities, and ways to help keep conservation front and center in South Carolina’s future. In the meantime, here are a few ways you can get involved and prepare to take action:
Take our Advocacy Survey. Take the survey to to help us understand your advocacy goals and environmental interests so you can take action on the issues that matter most to you.
Sign up to receive our texts. Opt-in for text messages so you never miss an urgent opportunity to take action or attend an event.
Register for our Legislative Preview Webinar. Join our Policy & Government Relations Team on Thursday, January 8, at noon to discuss our most pressing priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session.
Make plans to attend our Legislative Kick-Off Reception. Partners, advocates, legislators, and friends will gather once more at Bourbon in Columbia on Tuesday, January 27, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm to kick off another year of protecting the South Carolina we all love.
“South Carolina is blessed with an abundance of natural resources from the mountains to the coast. Like many of you that have lived here our whole lives, my best memories and most enjoyable moments have been on the water or in the field.” says Senator Russell Ott (D) of Calhoun County. “So while we as legislators are faced with tackling issues like healthcare and taxes, it’s equally important that we not lose focus on preserving land, keeping our air clean, and managing our water resources for future generations to enjoy the way we did.”
Representative David Martin (R) of York County agrees: “As South Carolina continues to grow, it’s vital that we balance progress with preservation. Protecting our natural landscapes ensures that the same beauty and resources that make our state the best in the nation today will continue to inspire future generations.”
That belief in shared responsibility drives CVSC’s mission. For more than two decades, we’ve built on a tradition of bipartisan leadership to advance lasting progress by investing in people, building political power, and championing bold policies that protect our air, land, and water.
conservation values remain front and center in state and local decision-making for the upcoming 2026 elections. Our goal is to strengthen the coalition of conservation champions who will carry this work forward, because every district matters, every voice matters, and every conservation victory strengthens South Carolina’s future.
Stay tuned in the months ahead as we introduce conservation-minded candidates, share election resources, and invite South Carolinians to help shape what comes next. Together, we’ll ensure that conservation remains a defining South Carolina value for generations to come.
LeadershipinAction
PLAGraduateStepsUptoServe
When Bridgett Tabor—known to many as BT—joined the very first cohort of CVSC Education Fund’s Palmetto Leadership Academy (PLA), she knew she wanted to grow her skills as a leader and advocate. What she may not have known then was how quickly those skills would open the door to real influence in her community.
BT was recently appointed to the Midlands Workforce Development Board, an influential body tasked with helping shape policies and programs that connect people to jobs and economic opportunity. For BT, the appointment is both an honor and a responsibility. For CVSC Education Fund, it is proof of why investing in leaders through initiatives like the Palmetto Leadership Academy is critical.
TheRoleofBoardsandCommissions
Across South Carolina, hundreds of boards and commissions steadily shape decisions that impact our everyday lives. They oversee an extensive range of civic decision-making from zoning and land use to public health, providing an essential link between people and ideas, to programs and policy.
Yet too often, these seats go unfilled, or are filled without much attention to diversity of background and perspective. That means essential voices, including those who care deeply about conservation, community health, and sustainable growth, may be missing at the table.
The PLA was designed to change that by equipping conservation-minded leaders with the skills, networks, and confidence to step into public service.
BT’sJourney
BT came into the Palmetto Leadership Academy with a personal commitment to making her community stronger. Over the course of the program, she honed skills in public advocacy, policy navigation, and coalition building. She learned how to evaluate complex issues not only through the lens of conservation, but also through the broader values of equity, resilience, and long-term community health.
Now, as a member of the Midlands Workforce Development Board, BT is bringing those skills to life. Her seat gives her a say in how resources are allocated to prepare workers for the jobs of the future—a responsibility with ripple effects for families across Richland, Fairfield, and Lexington counties.
“The PLA helped me connect the dots between conservation and wellbeing. It gave me the confidence to move from being a contributor to being a changemaker–turning conviction into strategy and helping me use my voice with purpose.”
— Bridgett Tabor, PLA Graduate
AConservationLensonWorkforceDevelopment
At first glance, conservation and workforce development may not seem directly connected, but BT sees the relationship clearly.
Strong communities depend on both healthy environments and healthy economies. Workforce programs that prepare people for careers in environmental stewardship, clean energy, or sustainable practices not only support families but also strengthen conservation outcomes. Similarly, decisions about land use and development impact the kinds of jobs available and the quality of life for residents.
By bringing a conservation mindset to the Workforce Development Board, BT can help ensure that policies are not only focused on economic growth, but on the kind of growth that sustains communities and our environment for generations to come.
Her perspective is exactly what CVSC hoped to cultivate when launching the PLA: leaders who can bridge the gap between conservation and other community priorities, showing how interconnected they truly are.
AModelfortheFuture
BT’s appointment is a success story not just for her, but for all of us. It demonstrates the importance of investing in leaders who reflect their communities' values and bring conservation into decisions that shape daily life. The PLA was built to plant these seeds of change. BT’s story shows that the seeds are already sprouting.
CVSCEF recently launched our fourth PLA cohort that will extend through May 2026. Our website has more information about the program and how to stay up to date on future cohorts.
Scanhere orvisitcvsc.org/scpla
YourVoice.YourPower.YourCooperative.
ShapingaJust&EquitableEnergyFuture
Across South Carolina, nearly one in three families gets their electricity from a rural electric cooperative. These co-ops serve more than 1.5 million people, powering homes, schools, and businesses in every corner of the state. But while cooperatives are supposed to be “memberowned” institutions, many South Carolinians don’t realize the power they already have as co-op members.
That’s why the South Carolina Electric Cooperative Engagement Program (SCECEP) was developed. Launched by the CVSC Education Fund (CVSCEF), this partner-powered initiative is designed to educate, inspire, and mobilize member-owners to play an active role in shaping the decisions that impact their access to affordable, reliable energy sources.
SCECEP partners include the Sierra Club of SC, the SC Association for Community Economic Development, Sustaining Way, All Aboard for Justice, the SC Energy Justice Coalition, and the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce These organizations all bring a unique understanding and expertise on energy affordability, economic development, community resilience, and environmental justice, creating a force for progress At its heart, SCECEP is about a straightforward idea: member-owner voices matter
WhatareElectricCooperatives?
Electric cooperatives were created to bring electricity to rural communities that were left behind by investor-owned utilities like Dominion, Duke, and Santee Cooper. They are governed by boards elected by their member-owners, meaning that the people who pay the bills can directly impact the decisions being made.
But over time, many co-ops have become less transparent and less accountable Decisions about rates, clean energy programs, and efficiency investments often happen behind closed doors For too many families, the result has been higher bills, fewer options for renewable energy, and missed opportunities
SCECEP is here to shine a light on how these cooperatives are performing and, by giving member-owners the tools to ask tough questions and run for board elections, aims to restore the original promise of these institutions
MeasuringWhatMatters
This year, SCECEP released the first-ever evaluation of South Carolina’s 19 electric cooperatives, scoring them on 10 core governance and clean energy metrics. These included board transparency, members’ access to information, rate transparency, energy efficiency programs, and access to clean energy
The evaluation revealed both successes and shortcomings Some cooperatives are leading the way, offering affordable efficiency upgrades and embracing clean energy Others are lagging, leaving their members with outdated processes and limited information By publishing these scores, SCECEP is giving member-owners a clear picture of how their co-op measures up and a roadmap for how it could do better
What’satStakeforConservation
At first glance, electric cooperatives may not seem like a conservation issue, but energy touches everything The choices co-ops make shape household budgets, public health, and the health of our environment When co-ops embrace solar and renewable power, they reduce pollution and create local jobs in growing industries And when they plan for the future, they strengthen communities against the challenges of climate change, from rising temperatures to stronger storms.
In short, energy decisions are conservation decisions. By helping co-op members understand and influence these choices, SCECEP is building a movement for cleaner, fairer, and more resilient communities across South Carolina.
WhatMember-OwnersCanDo
SCECEP isn’t just about publishing scores; it’s about mobilizing people to act. Co-op members have real power, and SCECEP provides tools to help them use it. Here are four simple steps every member-owner can take:
Attend Board Meetings. Show up, ask questions, and let board members know that transparency matters
Request Access to Information. If bylaws, contacts, or meeting notes aren’t easily available, ask for them Member-owners have the right to know
Ask About Solar and Efficiency Programs. Push for programs that lower bills and expand access to renewable energy
Run and Vote in Board Elections This is the most direct way to shape your co-op’s future Every vote matters
By taking these steps, member-owners can begin to reclaim their co-ops and ensure they reflect the needs and values of their communities.
TheFutureofSCECEP
The launch of SCECEP is just the first step. CVSCEF and program partners will continue to expand these efforts, deepen evaluations, equip more member-owners, and amplify the success stories of communities that win better outcomes.
orvisitmysc-coop.com
CelebratingChampionsforLandProtection
On a September afternoon in Columbia, leaders, advocates, and community members gathered for CVSC’s 2025 Green Tie Awards Luncheon. This year’s honorees reminded us that land protection is about more than just acres on a map. It’s about history and culture, opportunity and community, and how the choices we make today will define South Carolina’s future.
LandProtectionforSustainableGrowth
For Senator Michael Johnson of York County, land protection and thriving communities go hand in hand. With a 93% lifetime score on CVSC’s Legislative Scorecard, he’s built a career on balancing growth with sustainability.
Drawing on his local government experience, Johnson helped champion the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) bill, directing growth away from sensitive areas toward places better suited for development. This approach preserves farmland, forests, and historic sites while guiding responsible expansion.
He also supported funding for working farmland protection, recognizing that conservation isn’t just about parks and preserves, but about sustaining the agricultural lands that feed families and fuel local economies. His work underscores that land is living, working, and vital to South Carolina’s future.
LandProtectionforCulture&History
While lawmakers in Columbia work to protect South Carolina’s natural landscapes, Dr. Pernessa Seele is safeguarding its cultural lands. A proud daughter of Lincolnville, she has led efforts to restore the Lincolnville Rosenwald School—one of the last built to educate African American children during segregation—securing millions to preserve it as a cultural and educational landmark.
Her work extends statewide, from preserving Rosenwald Schools to protecting historic cemeteries in Lincolnville. Her advocacy against sprawl reinforces that unchecked growth threatens not only natural spaces but the cultural landmarks that define who we are. For Dr. Seele, land protection and cultural preservation are one and the same.
LandProtectionforCommunity
Representative Mark Smith of Berkeley County has brought the land conversation back to the people who depend on it. With an 89% lifetime score on CVSC’s Legislative Scorecard,
he’s become one of the House’s leading voices for responsible growth. Like Senator Johnson, he helped lead on the TDR bill, calling smart growth a win all around for South Carolina.
Beyond the Statehouse, Smith has engaged his community through virtual town halls and op-eds, showing that conservation is as much about dialogue as legislation. His support for farmland protection, trail connectivity, and energy efficiency reflects a simple truth: preserved farmland means food security, connected trails mean healthier communities, and efficiency means stronger neighborhoods. For Smith, conservation is about ensuring South Carolina remains a place where families can thrive.
This year’s honorees inspire us to think about what it means to protect land in the broadest sense: to conserve natural spaces, preserve historic places, and to ensure that growth truly strengthens our communities Conservation is not confined to one arena or one definition It is environmental, cultural, and community-based. It is made possible by bold policies enacted into law, advocacy that preserves history, and leadership that inspires action. And most importantly, it is bipartisan and collective.
Our honorees’ work and leadership prove that conservation is a shared value, rooted in the recognition that South Carolina’s land is central to who we are.
Rep.MarkSmith
2025GreenTieAwardsSponsors
CVSC extends our heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors who made the 2025 Green Tie Awards Luncheon possible. Your partnership celebrates the leaders who protect South Carolina’s air, land, and water and fuels the ongoing work to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.
Greenville Water
Maynard Nexsen
Nelson Mullins
Audubon South Carolina
Builders Supply Co.
CCM Investment Advisors
Coastal Conservation League
Coca Cola Consolidated
Cumulus Media
Abacus Planning Group
Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC
Boeing
Francis Marion Hotel
Palmetto Pride
Forward Communications
Greentech Renewables
Elliott & Elliott, PA
Naturaland Trust
Spartanburg Water
Cheryl W. Hamilton
NP Strategy
South Carolina Water Utilities
Deer Park Water
First Tuesday Strategies
Horry County Solid Waste Authority
SC Association for Community
Economic Development
Sonoco Foundation
Upstate Forever
Renewable Water Resources
Robinson Bradshaw
SC Women in Leadership
Senior Golfers of America
Southern Environmental Law Center
Sun Solutions
Sustaining Way
Sustain SC
Timberlake Communications
Trust for Public Land
Joey McKinnon
ArnoldM.Nemirow Individual
JoinTheGrovetoProtecttheSouth CarolinaYouLove
As we look ahead, CVSC’s vision for the next decade is clear: a South Carolina where conservation unites us, where leadership reflects our communities, and where clean energy and protected lands secure a future we can all share
When you join The Grove, CVSC’s community of monthly donors, you’re standing with people across the state who believe in enuring this vision for generations to come Monthly giving is one of the most powerful ways to make that future a reality It allows us to plan ahead, respond quickly to threats, and invest in long-term solutions that build an equitable and more sustainable future Each recurring gift no matter the size strengthens the foundation of our work year-round
“CVSC has been a key player in protecting our state’s air, land, and water for years During times like these, the importance of local and state organizations performing this work is undeniable CVSC has a proven record of success in this field, and I am proud to contribute to these efforts through my monthly gift Giving monthly through The Grove is easy, but it’s also deeply meaningful " - Edwin Epps, CVSC Monthly Donor
As a member of The Grove, you’ll receive insider updates, early invitations to events, and the knowledge that your continued support helps:
Protect clean air, safe water, and open spaces in every corner of South Carolina
Build bipartisan bridges for conservation in the Statehouse
Empower local leaders and communities to make their voices heard
Your steady commitment of even just $10 a month keeps South Carolina thriving today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Join the Grove today and help protect the South Carolina you love.
