Conservation Voters of South Carolina

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Conservation Voters of South Carolina

CVSC is a statewide nonprofit that fights for South Carolina's air, land, and water through bipartisan political action.

Governed by a 16 member Board of Directors including Republicans, Democrats and Independents, Conservation Voters is unique from other conservation organizations in our ability to make endorsements, contribute to candidate campaigns and communicate directly with voters about the need to elect the best conservation candidate in their district. Electoral activity is conducted through Conservation Vo

ters Political Action Committee (PAC), which is supported by the members of Conservation Voters. In addition to working to elect green candidates, Conservation Voters works throughout the Legislative Session to educate elected leaders and the public and to promote legislation that protects our natural heritage and our special way of life. Conservation Voters is able to hold elected leaders directly accountable by tracking their votes and publishing them in our biennial Scorecard.

06/18/2026

Summer is showing up across South Carolina, and what we do next matters.

The clean water we drink and swim in. The lands we walk, hike, and cherish. The communities we call home. None of it is guaranteed.

Your support powers bipartisan advocacy and accountability that protect our air, land, and water all year-round. Together, we can ensure that the South Carolina we love is protected for future generations.

Support our work today with a donation. It takes little to get started, but your generosity will provide real impact now and for years to come. Give here: cvsc.org/give

06/17/2026

Lia Colabello, a sustainability consultant, College of Charleston professor, and Palmetto Leadership Academy (PLA) graduate, hasn’t always felt at ease as a leader in her community.

She joined the PLA to gain the knowledge, connections, and confidence to excel in her seat on Mount Pleasant’s GREEN Commission, where she helps inform local decisions about conservation, natural resources, flood resilience, and green space.

Read more about Lia’s public service journey here: https://www.cvsc.org/the-palmetto-leadership-academy-learning-the-art-of-public-service/

If you'd like to join a cohort of other up-and-coming community leaders, apply for the PLA before applications close on June 30 at cvsc.org/scpla/

06/15/2026

CVSC is proud to endorse Jarrod Brooks for State House District 99, representing Berkeley County!

The runoff election will take place on Tuesday, June 23, and the outcome will help shape how one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing regions balances growth with the protection of our natural resources. With current Berkeley County Representative Mark Smith—a longtime conservation champion and former CVSC Green Tie Honoree—running for Congress, it is critical that House District 99 continues to be represented by a leader who will prioritize the Lowcountry’s land, water, and quality of life.

Jarrod is a conservationist who has a strong record of supporting land protection, thoughtful growth, and efforts to balance development with preservation. During his time in local office, Jarrod played a role in supporting the conservation of Blessing Plantation east of the Cooper River and in advocating for the Greenbelt program.

Please encourage family and friends to join you in voting for Jarrod Brooks in the runoff election on Tuesday, June 23!

06/10/2026

Last night was a big win for conservation in South Carolina. Every CVSC-endorsed candidate won their primary election race outright.

We did not just choose easy races to get involved in. We supported incumbents who have stood with us recently on one or more key conservation issues in the legislature, and when they were challenged in primary races, we had their backs.

Across 13 targeted State House primaries, CVSC and CVSC PAC reached more than 51,000 voters to help support leaders who will protect South Carolina’s air, land, water, communities, and quality of life.

Congratulations to our endorsed candidates, and thank you to every voter who turned out and voted to protect the South Carolina we love!

06/04/2026

What does it mean to vote for the South Carolina we love?

From preserving family farms and historic places to protecting clean water and our world-class natural landscapes, conservation voters across our state are thinking carefully about the future. Read our latest blog post to hear their stories and learn why conservation continues to bring South Carolinians together. Then make your voice heard by voting for conservation in the June 9 statewide primary elections.

Read the full story and find election information here: cvsc.org/a-shared-responsibility-why-south-carolinians-vote-for-conservation/

06/03/2026

Last night, we had the privilege of celebrating our advocates who helped make this legislative session one of meaningful progress for conservation in South Carolina.

From passing the South Carolina Protected Lands Act to building momentum for policies that support responsible growth, data center guardrails, and healthy communities, this year's accomplishments were made possible by people who were willing to speak up, take action, and stay engaged. Whether you contacted lawmakers, attended events, shared your story, or supported our work in other ways, your advocacy helped create real progress for conservation at the Statehouse and in communities across South Carolina.

Last night was a reminder of the power of collective action, and now, the work continues.

05/27/2026

Advocates across South Carolina showed up and spoke out this legislative session, helping establish a statewide vision for land and water protection, build momentum around policies to address unchecked growth and data center development, and fight against new fossil fuel-burning power plants in the Upstate and Lowcountry.

Some advocates, including many in CVSC’s Conservation Advocates Alliance (CAA), took their efforts a step further by speaking directly with state leaders. These advocates put names, faces, and firsthand experiences to the issues that affect their own families and communities.

Members of the CAA had opportunities to participate in training sessions and policy deep dives with CVSC to prepare them for their advocacy. Just a year ago, many members of the CAA were unsure who represented them at the Statehouse and had never set foot in the lobby. Today, these same advocates are building lasting relationships with legislators and becoming trusted ambassadors for conservation across the state.

We’re so proud of this group of dedicated advocates who are working hard to make a lasting impact in SouthCarolina. To read more about how the CAA drove change this legislative session, visit cvsc.org/the-power-of-community-advocacy-through-the-conservation-advocates-alliance/

05/20/2026

South Carolina’s normal 2025–2026 legislative session has come to an end, but the conversations shaping our state’s future are far from over.

This year, CVSC and partners advanced a statewide vision for land and water conservation, defended against offshore drilling and attacks on regulatory safeguards, and saw growing momentum around policies to address unchecked growth and data center development.

Join CVSC’s Legislative Debrief Webinar on Thursday, June 4, at noon to hear from the Policy & Government Relations team about the biggest wins, challenges, and what’s next for conservation.

Register today! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7OKXdwREQlSFgA16wwy8Bw

05/19/2026

Irmo Councilman Mike Ward is a recent graduate of our Palmetto Leadership Academy (PLA), where leaders from across South Carolina gain practical training, mentorship, and appointment support to better serve their communities on public boards and commissions.

Councilman Ward believes “True conservation is rooted in being a good steward of our resources, both our natural environment and our taxpayers’ dollars... When our elected officials have a good working knowledge about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of governance, we ensure that local government remains efficient, transparent, and accountable.”

We’re proud to see Councilman Ward bringing the skills and knowledge he gained through PLA back to the Town of Irmo. To read more, visit swlexledger.com/single-post/irmo-councilman-mike-ward-completes-sc-palmetto-leadership-academy

Applications for the next Palmetto Leadership Academy cohort are open until June 15. Find more information and apply at cvsc.org/scpla/!

05/18/2026

The legislative session has officially come to a close! Well, sort of…

For a recap of where all of the major issues we’ve been tracking this year stand, continue reading. And a major thank you to all of our passionate supporters who help us ensure conservation of South Carolina’s air, land, and water is a priority at the Statehouse every legislative session!

Address

712 Richland Street, Suite A
Columbia, SC
29201

Telephone

+18037990716

Website

http://www.cvsc.org/

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