The South Carolina Land Trust Network has honored Gov. Henry McMaster with its inaugural Palmetto Conservation Leadership Award for his role in advancing protections for the state’s landscapes and natural resources.
The award was given during a ceremony April 27 and presented by Lyles Cooper, SCLTN board chair and executive director of the Pee Dee Land Trust; and Jen Howard, SCLTN executive director.
In a statement announcing the award, Howard said as one of the fastest growing states in the nation, South Carolina is facing increasing development pressures which make land conservation a critical priority.
“That growth brings increasing pressure on landowners to sell their property for development,” Howard said. “Conservation easements and strategic land protection are essential to maintaining the balance between livability and economic strength that defines our state.”
In comments during the awards ceremony, the governor challenged the landowners and staff from the state’s 24 land trusts in attendance to continue their efforts to protect the state’s natural and cultural resources.
“South Carolina has been discovered, and that brings increased use of natural resources across our state,” McMaster said. “In order to support our economic prosperity and quality of life, we must continue to protect more land at a faster pace before it’s too late.”
The Palmetto Conservation Leadership Award was created to honor extraordinary contributions to the permanent protection of South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources.
Conservation achievements credited in part to the governor’s leadership include:
- Significant funding increases for the S.C. Conservation Bank
- Establishment of the state Office of Resilience to better coordinate conservation and resource management efforts
- Support for the 2024 Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, expanding tools and funding to protect family farms
- Facilitation of major conservation projects, including new state parks, forests, and large-scale easements across the state
For more information about the work of the South Carolina Land Trust Network, visit scltn.org.
