A Shared Responsibility: Why South Carolinians Vote for Conservation
Conservation is a political issue. Solutions to our greatest environmental challenges, from limiting pollution and overdevelopment to protecting our land and water for future generations, can be implemented through local and state policy. But just because conservation is a political issue doesn’t mean it has to be a partisan sticking point.
In fact, in South Carolina, we’ve seen significant, repeated success by collaborating with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to achieve durable conservation wins. But before state leaders can make decisions to protect our environment, they have to get into office, and that’s where conservation voters from across the state have one of the greatest opportunities for impact.
CVSC’s candidate endorsement process is grounded not only in careful candidate vetting, but also in listening to the values and priorities of South Carolinians across the state. Time and again, voters—regardless of political affiliation—express a shared desire to protect the places that define our quality of life. Our work is guided by the belief that conservation policy should reflect the will of the people who care deeply about preserving the South Carolina we all know and love for future generations.
McKenzie Watson is a fundraising consultant and Palmetto Leadership Academy alumnus who is passionate about the cultural preservation aspect of conservation. Her grandmother attended a Rosenwald School in South Carolina, an important part of her family legacy that she fears will be lost to sprawl and overdevelopment. McKenzie expressed that, “People think conservation is all about tree hugging and fighting pollution, and yes, we want those things, but for me, conservation is deeper than that, it’s about preserving South Carolina and its stories,” and she will support candidates who share those values.
Will Galloway, a USC School of Law student, grew up spending time outdoors on his family farm, which has been around since 1834, and is passionate about preserving that land and way of life for future generations. Will has seen firsthand that “When we take care of the land, the land takes care of us,” and he supports elected officials who will take a balanced approach to development and conservation.
While McKenzie and Will identify at different points along the political spectrum, they both believe in the significance of local and state decisions. McKenzie shared that, “Local elections affect you in your backyard and have the greatest impact on your everyday life.” If we can agree that the most important decisions, environmental and otherwise, are made at the local and state levels, then we must all do our part to show up and vote–and not just when federal candidates are on the ballot.
Almost any South Carolinian you ask, including Will and McKenzie, will tell you that they’re worried about unchecked growth and are imploring state leaders to find a way to keep South Carolina, South Carolina. When asked why Will votes with conservation in mind, he pointed out that, “Conservation is fundamentally different than other issues like tax rates. Once land has been developed, you can’t undo it. You’ve got to get it right every time.” As South Carolina continues to face unprecedented growth, these challenges grow by the day, and it’s essential that we elect leaders who will prioritize conservation now, before our state’s natural spaces and character are entirely paved over.
CVSC believes South Carolinians deserve clear, trustworthy information about the candidates seeking to represent them, especially on issues that impact the places we all care about. Across every region of the state and on all sides of the political spectrum, voters value clean water, healthy communities, protected natural spaces, and a strong quality of life. That’s why our work is rooted in the belief that conservation is not a partisan issue. Protecting South Carolina’s air, land, and water is a shared responsibility that transcends politics.
As a bipartisan organization, we work tirelessly to connect voters with candidates who reflect those values and demonstrate a genuine commitment to conservation-minded leadership. We support Republicans and Democrats alike who recognize that responsible growth, clean energy solutions, and environmental stewardship are essential to the future of our state and the well-being of the people who call it home.
When we elect leaders who prioritize protecting our land, air, and water, all South Carolinians benefit. Join us in voting for conservation on June 9 in the statewide primary elections. View CVSC-endorsed candidates, and see how your legislators voted on environmental issues at the Statehouse.