We’ve had quite the cold spell this winter and as we enter into April, the Lowcountry stirs back to life. As an organization dedicated to our open space and wildlife, we celebrate the spring by getting outside (join us for some of our events!), welcoming the…
March is Prescribed Fire Awareness Month in South Carolina, and with the recent wildfires in the Myrtle Beach area, they are top of mind. Prescribed burning is the carefully planned practice of setting fires in a controlled manner under precise and favorable weather conditions. Resource managers like the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Forestry Commission, and private landowners use prescribed fires to maintain or restore…
SC legislature passes annual closure of Deveaux Bank This week, the South Carolina legislature officially approved a change to state regulation that closes Deveaux Bank to public access from March 15 to October 15 annually to protect nesting and migratory coastal birds! Deveaux Bank is a critically…
Vint Hill, VA – Family farmers across the United States are facing unprecedented uncertainty due to a federal funding freeze by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Thousands of farmers across the country have not been reimbursed for high quality food they have already delivered to schools, food banks, and local pantries and do not know whether USDA-funded contracts they have for the 2025 crop year will be honored. Local…
The 2025 legislative session is now underway, and a few bills have emerged as focal points: House Bill 3309, Senate Bill 12, and House Bill 3928. H3309 seeks to rollback important regulatory oversight of electric utilities and authorize a joint venture between Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy for the construction of a major new gas plant, among other provisions. S12 specifically addresses…
It has been a long and cold winter season, but…
This legislative session, the Conservation League has been helping to shape a more reliable, clean, and affordable energy future for South Carolina, advocating on behalf of ratepayers across the state and our special landscapes at risk amid proposed energy expansion projects. Most recently, Energy & Climate Program Director Taylor Allred gave testimony at the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee in early March to share recommendations towards a more…
On February 24, Hollywood Town Council held a public hearing for the rezoning request of 36 parcels from Rural Agriculture to Residential 1. Totaling 277 acres, the developers of Longleaf Estates plan to construct 342 residential lots. While the current zoning allows for 402 units to be built, the position of the wetlands on the property would hinder such a buildout without filling in the wetlands. Additionally, all units are…
Heavier plastic bags, plastic utensils, straws, styrofoam cups and carry-out containers pose a significant long-term threat to our environment. Nearly 50% of Beaufort County is composed of salt marsh and tidal rivers and all too often, plastic and styrofoam products end up polluting our estuaries, where they can be ingested by wildlife or break down into harmful microplastic particles. Help Beaufort County Reduce Plastic Waste Beaufort County has…
Will South Carolina ultimately see the massive boom in data center development some are expecting? A new report could help to provide clarity at a critical time for shaping our state’s energy future and helping to ensure we have reliable electric service that is as affordable as possible. In November, Applied Economics Clinic, a non-profit consulting group, released a white paper on electric utility load forecasting best practices, with a focus…
