Sustain SC Announces Re-launch of the Land and Water Action Platform at Conservation Summit

Sustain SC’s re-launched funding platform opens the door for businesses to invest in South Carolina’s natural legacy with new projects, new partners, and a renewed commitment to protecting land and water across the state.

Sustain SC is proud to announce the re-launch of our Land and Water Action Platform (LAWAP), a conservation funding initiative that connects corporate investment with tangible conservation outcomes across South Carolina. The re-launch was officially unveiled at our Conservation Summit on April 25 at Norfolk Southern’s Brosnan Forest, with a special announcement that applications for new projects are now open.

“South Carolina has made significant strides in safeguarding our natural resources, protecting over 100,000 acres in just the last few years, and the re-launch of Sustain SC’s Land and Water Action Platform will accelerate these efforts,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “By bringing leaders together, we will ensure that our conservation keeps pace with our development, preserving the beauty of our state for future generations.”

Sustain SC aims to raise $500,000 for LAWAP this year and has already reached the halfway mark thanks to early investments from corporate partners including Atlantic Packaging, Primo Brands, Norfolk Southern, Google and AFL.

Raleigh West, Executive Director of the South Carolina Conservation Bank highlighted the platform’s alignment with the state’s conservation efforts saying, “The LAWAP will allow conservation groups of all sizes and locations to access financial support from a broad array of corporate contributors located in South Carolina. In turn, that will accelerate the pace of land protection projects across the state.” 

Originally launched in 2022, LAWAP’s first success story was the protection of a portion of Waties Island, one of South Carolina’s last untouched barrier islands. This milestone was achieved through a partnership with the Open Space Institute and funding from Google and other donors, resulting in the permanent preservation of 260 acres of the beautiful coastal habitat.

Dale Threatt-Taylor, Board Chair of Sustain SC and Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina, emphasized the importance of the fund saying, “The Land and Water Action Platform is an example of how conservation, businesses and community can come together to create meaningful impact. As a Board, we are proud to support this effort and excited about what this fund can do for South Carolina’s natural legacy.”

Through initiatives like the Land and Water Action Platform, Sustain SC continues to demonstrate that economic growth and environmental stewardship can work together to ensure a resilient future for South Carolina’s economy, environment and people.

Learn more about the Land and Water Action Platform here