Conservation Voters of South Carolina

CVSC is excited to announce our 2024 general election endorsements, encompassing a diverse group of leaders committed to the conservation and resilience of South Carolina’s natural resources.

State and local elections will have distinct impacts on the well-being of South Carolina’s environment and the health and safety of our communities. Please join CVSC in supporting our endorsed candidates by casting your vote on or before November 5th!

For more information on our endorsed candidates and their conservation efforts, visit https://www.cvsc.org/elections/.

Santee Cooper bills could be going up due to a charge for energy used at peak times of the day. When asked about this new rate structure, Energy Project Manager Jalen Brooks-Knepfle said, “We think that these particular changes could be confusing for customers. I think transparency and clarity are really important.”

Read the full article to learn more: www.live5news.com/2024/08/26/santee-cooper-hold-public-meeting-proposed-rate-hike-demand-charges/

There are just a few tickets left for our 16th Annual Green Tie Awards Luncheon on September 18th. The event will feature a networking reception, a mimosa bar, a delicious lunch prepared by local chef Scott Hall, and, of course, the awards program honoring our 2024 recipients. Our sponsors make all of this–and so much more–possible for CVSC.

Tickets are available until this Friday, September 13th. Don’t miss this chance to be part of CVSC's special celebration of South Carolina’s conservation champions! https://www.cvsc.org/greentie/

In South Carolina, the conservation movement relies on intense collaboration to achieve our air, land, water, and energy goals. Join skilled conveners from the Rural Resource Coalition, Energy Justice Coalition, SC Conservation Coalition, and Electric Transportation Network to learn more about how the conservation movement stays connected and how you can get involved.

Sign up to join the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nas7ZVC9QJqH42wXR6m1Yw

Government Relations Manager, Alan Lee, attended the National Black Professional Lobbyists Association's annual meeting. He got to connect with other lobbyists from across the country and learn effective strategies to thrive as a young lobbyist at the Statehouse.

After returning to South Carolina, Alan said, "Connecting with so many inspiring individuals confirmed what I already knew; Black lobbyists are making significant impacts on important issues from coast to coast." Thanks to the NBPLA for putting on such a spectacular event!

The Green Tie Awards are the perfect opportunity to support CVSC and our mission to fight for South Carolina's air, land, water, and energy through bipartisan and pragmatic political action–and they're just around the corner! Purchase a ticket or sponsorship before time runs out to join CVSC on September 18th; along with the businesses, state leaders, and conservationists who make South Carolina a safer, healthier, and more prosperous place to call home. https://www.cvsc.org/greentie/

Tanya Trinh is the newest member of the CVSC team! She recently joined our Land, Water, Ocean team as a Policy Associate after graduating from the University of South Carolina. Tanya’s passion and expertise will help us expand our work to protect more local land and ensure access to clean water.

To get to know Tanya, check out our most recent blog post (http://www.cvsc.org/get-to-know-land-water-and-ocean.../) and hear more from her at our upcoming webinar, Elevating the Voices of the Next Generation in the Conservation Movement (https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_7q644j6jRXSK1fmuH_zFCg).

🌳 Meet Jalen, our Energy Project Manager! She’s on a mission to explore every corner of South Carolina's amazing public parks—from the Upstate foothills to Congaree National Park and the Lowcountry wetlands. “This photo is me and a friend at the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. It's my favorite place to take guests because you can get a taste of history, animals, and nature all in one park.”

To help preserve these incredible landscapes, Jalen supports our work at CVSC—professionally and personally. “CVSC makes sure that as South Carolina continues to grow, we protect public health and the places that make our state special.”

Dive into nature with her and make a difference! Today is the final day of our membership drive. Donate and keep our South Carolina beautiful for all to enjoy: https://secure.everyaction.com/X3WCJxD_I0qkBvqJFLS1Iw2

For too long, we have relied on reactively engaging our youth. As emerging leaders in conservation, we must listen to and rely on their skills, needs, and voices to catalyze the next phase of environmental sustainability.

Join CVSC and passionate young leaders in South Carolina for a webinar where we'll discuss their views of the conservation movement, their vision for the future, and how we can achieve it together. Sign up today: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7q644j6jRXSK1fmuH_zFCg

Summer is a great time for new adventures! 🌿 Meet Shelby, a devoted mom who recently took her kids hiking at Jones Gap State Park. “It was fun and created new core memories for my crew. Hiking is something I have always wanted to try. I’m so happy they had an amazing time.”

The excitement on her kids’ faces was unforgettable for Shelby, but it's moments like these that remind us how crucial it is to protect our natural spaces. By supporting CVSC this month, you can double your impact: https://secure.everyaction.com/X3WCJxD_I0qkBvqJFLS1Iw2

Ensure that families like Shelby's can continue to explore and cherish the beauty of our parks for generations to come. Let's protect the South Carolina we love!

If you’ve been following CVSC’s Palmetto Leadership Academy, you might have heard that applications for the fall cohort are OPEN. This program is perfect for anyone who is interested in making a difference within their community but doesn't know where to start! With one in-person or virtual meeting per month over four months, fellows learn everything they need to know about securing a position on a board or commission and leading effectively.

Visit our website to learn more about the PLA goals, curriculum, and application process. Don’t wait—applications close 8/31! https://www.cvsc.org/scpla/

The Green Tie Awards are in less than one month! Over the past 16 years, the Green Tie Awards have become a highly anticipated event where South Carolina’s business, political, and conservation communities come together to celebrate environmental progress.

This year, we’re proud to recognize honorees who have used their positions of leadership to safeguard our environment and enhance the health and well-being of our communities. Rep. Wetmore, Paul Black, and Rick Huffman–we look forward to celebrating your many achievements on September 18th.

You won’t want to miss out on this important celebration! Tickets and sponsorships are still available: https://www.cvsc.org/greentie/

Attention Duke Energy Customers! Regulators at the Public Service Commission (PSC) are holding a public hearing to hear customers’ comments on Duke’s ten-year energy plans which include major new investments in fossil fuels.

Join Jalen and Michael from Upstate Forever as they discuss everything you need to know about Duke’s energy plans and answer questions on how to join the public hearing and craft an effective comment. Sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dzn7G5JQTSO0wd16u18NMw

Thanks to everyone who joined us at Conservation on Tap in Charleston yesterday! Our team enjoyed connecting with local advocates about issues that are impacting the South Carolina we love.

This summer, CVSC staff have been out and about, enjoying South Carolina’s pristine landscapes and abundant waterways that we’ve fought hard to protect. From the winding trails of the Upstate to the wide open waters of the Lowcountry, we couldn’t ask for a more beautiful state to call home!

We're thrilled to announce our 2024 Green Tie Award honorees! 🏆 Join us in recognizing Rep. Spencer Wetmore, Paul Black of Sierra Club, and Rick Huffman of Earth Design for their invaluable contributions to the conservation movement. They have each worked tirelessly to protect South Carolina’s air, land, and water and we can’t wait to celebrate their achievements on September 18!

Visit our website to read more about our honorees and their work: https://www.cvsc.org/greentie/

With elections and the start of a new legislative session coming up, we have a special opportunity to lay the groundwork for significant environmental progress in the coming months.

If you live near Charleston and want to learn more about our local conservation efforts and how you can get involved, join CVSC at Palmetto Brewing on August 14. Drop in any time between 5:30 and 7:30 pm to grab a drink, meet the CVSC team, and talk conservation with other advocates! Let us know you’re coming: https://secure.everyaction.com/OJkcacpALEOCsdsGfH0uHw2

Everyone, meet Mark Ellington DeCristoforo, CVSC’s newest Government Relations Manager! This summer, Mark has been exploring opportunities to advance conservation and meeting with legislators to prepare for the 2025-2026 Legislative Session. As an avid sportsman and outdoorsman, he will bring a valuable perspective to the General Assembly that will help CVSC pass policy to protect our land and water. We’re happy to have you on the team, Mark!

Despite the many economic and environmental benefits of solar energy, there are still some myths and misconceptions circulating around so we’re setting the record straight. Swipe to learn the truth about solar and why it’s a great option for clean energy in South Carolina!

When we asked Evan Renshaw, partnerships and engagement manger at CVSC, about his passion for protecting the environment, he said, “If we lose access to natural and protected areas, it would have a major impact on me as a person. I hope to pass on this value to my future children, and the thought that they may not have the same access to a natural environment is deeply unsettling.”

South Carolinians like Evan get to enjoy kayaking, hiking, and spending time outside all because people like you have committed to protecting the South Carolina that WE love. Don’t hesitate to join the movement during our August Membership Drive. Make your gift at https://secure.everyaction.com/X3WCJxD_I0qkBvqJFLS1Iw2 today!

You’re invited! Join CVSC for the 16th Annual Green Tie Awards on September 18th from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. At the highly anticipated Green Tie Awards, CVSC honors elected and civic leaders who have defended South Carolina’s precious air, land, and water in the General Assembly and within their own communities.

For those who have never attended, get ready for an afternoon of good food, great company, and celebration. We look forward to announcing the 2024 honorees soon!

Tickets are on sale now and sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations at https://www.cvsc.org/greentie/. We hope to see you there!

Green Tie Awards - CVSC The 14th annual Green Tie Awards will be held on September 21, 2022 at Historic 701 Whaley in Columbia, SC.

CVSC is a bipartisan organization that prides itself on transparent, reflective, and accountable government representation. The best way to ensure that our leadership demonstrates these values is to guarantee safe public participation in civic engagement opportunities.

Our democracy needs you! Today is Poll Worker Recruitment Day, sign up at https://www.powerthepolls.org/signup to be a poll worker and ensure fair and accessible elections in South Carolina.

Power the Polls Poll workers power democracy. We help recruit them! Sign up now to make sure we have safe, fair, efficient elections for all!

We recently sat down with Meagan Diedolf, CVSC’s SVP of Government Relations & Policy, to discuss our 2023-2024 Legislative Scorecard. We dig into what the Legislative Scorecard is and why it was created, significant findings, and how advocates can use it as a tool to help advance conservation policy.

Meagan explains “By arming South Carolinians with this information, we hope they’ll feel empowered to speak to their representatives about conservation issues and hold them accountable.”

Read the full interview to learn why CVSC’s Scorecard is crucial in our fight to protect South Carolina’s air, land, and water: https://www.cvsc.org/meagan-diedolf-discusses-the-2023-2024-legislative-scorecard/

After impressive customer turnout at public hearings across the Upstate, regulators at the Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a limited rate hike from Duke Energy Carolinas. Ratepayers showed up, and regulators listened! The settlement agreement reduces the amount of the rate hike by about one-third and commits $2 million of Duke shareholder funds to a low-income affordability study and energy efficiency initiatives.

To read more, visit https://www.cvsc.org/after-public-hearings-regulators-limit-duke-energy-carolinas-rate-hike/

Community Leadership Project Manager Tori Oluseyi was recently interviewed by Melissa Watson Ward from Shattering Ceilings regarding all things Palmetto Leadership Academy. Tori and Melissa spoke in depth about the power of boards and commissions to address environmental issues and impact the daily lives of South Carolinians.

To watch the full interview, visit https://www.thearenasc.com/p/creating-reflective-leadership-with

If you’re interested in joining the 2024 Fall PLA cohort, you can apply today! https://cvsc.bamboohr.com/careers/38

Creating Reflective Leadership with Tori Oluseyi Melissa Watson Ward interviews Tori Oluseyi, the Community Leadership Project Manager for CVSC (Conservation Voters of South Carolina), about the Palmetto Leadership Academy.

CVSC’s Summer Newsletter is here! In this issue, we recount the 2024 legislative session, including our monumental fight against the dangerous, far-reaching energy bill, H.5118. We also dive into our election strategy and progress being made in the SC Rosenwald Trail Study, at the Public Service Commission, and within our Palmetto Leadership Academy.

To read all of this and more, visit:

CVSC Summer 2024 Newsletter Read CVSC Summer 2024 Newsletter by cvofsc on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

This Thursday, join CVSC, Coastal Conservation League, the Waccamaw Indian People, and WeGOJA Foundation as we discuss the impactful conservation benefits that stem from an alignment between environmental and cultural preservation.

Our panel of experts will share their experience protecting culturally significant sites throughout the state, including Rosenwald schools and tribal lands, and how these initiatives connect and strengthen the overall conservation movement in South Carolina.

Sign up here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9wK7h659ScqUHHI31e5XUw

SVP of Government Relations Meagan Diedolf sat down with Melissa Watson Ward from Shattering Ceilings to discuss advocating for environmental policy in South Carolina. In this 15-minute interview, they touch on how environmental regulations impact everyday South Carolinians, the value of making environmental issues nonpartisan, and our hopes to address smart growth and the state’s energy future in the 2025-2026 legislative session.

To watch the full interview, visit

Advocating for Environmental Policy in South Carolina Melissa Watson Ward interviews Meagan Diedolf, Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC). They discuss the work of CVSC in advocating for environmental policy in the South Carolina General Assembly. They also talk about the dangers of de...

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