In the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, the team arrived to guide the Lowcountry through significant challenges—and highlight solutions.

The Conservation League took on the restoration and protection of the Francis Marion National Forest. They considered the impact of government policies and regulations on coastal communities. They fought against unbridled growth and for appropriately planned roads and neighborhoods. And we’ve been running ever since.

From Lewis Ocean Bay to Bay Point and everything in between, we’ve taken on the challenges of protecting our changing shoreline. 

From the inspiration of the Donnelley’s, the Lane brothers, the ACE Basin was recognized, covering Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers, the Conservation Bank was born, and the Greenbelt around our Lowcountry expanded. 

We’ve drafted legislation and regulations to protect our beachfront and preserve our wetlands. We’ve protected wildlife that thrives in our forests and estuaries. And we launched South Carolina’s first local food hub.  

From the earliest days with founding directors Emory Campbell and Executive Director Dana Beach, the Conservation League quilted a diverse tapestry of folks committed to honoring the landscape and the people of South Carolina. From St. Helena to Sandy Island, the Conservation League not only talked the talk but also “walked the walk” — hand-in-hand with partners and neighbors.

These and many other legacy projects have set the stage for our critical work, and continue to guide our prioritization of what comes next.

We look to the lessons of those experiences as we tackle new challenges, and continue to employ tried-and-true strategies.

From the “Global Gateway” decades ago to the 2023 reset of the redevelopment plan for Union Pier, and continuing to safeguard critical habitats like Cape Romain, Crab Bank, and Deveaux, our coalition-based advocacy efforts continue to make a difference.