Interview: Recap the 2025 Green Tie Awards with Meredith McNeely
Every September, CVSC hosts our annual Green Tie Awards, where we honor elected and civic leaders who stand up in the South Carolina General Assembly and their own communities to protect South Carolina’s air, land, and water. With our 17th Annual Green Tie Awards taking place just last week, we caught up with Meredith McNeely, Interim President, to recap this year’s event.
Q: Hi Meredith! Can you believe you’ve been organizing CVSC’s Green Tie Awards for the past seven years? I’d love to hear your insights into the origin of this event and how it’s come to make such an impact in South Carolina.
A: I love hosting the Green Tie Awards and can’t believe it’s already been seven years since I joined CVSC and began planning this event. From its start 17 years ago, Green Tie has been about one thing: celebrating leaders who step up to protect South Carolina’s air, land, and water through their actions—and their votes—in the legislature and within their own communities.
Over the years, the luncheon has grown and evolved, but its heart has stayed the same. It’s a special moment of fellowship, grounded in a shared value: protecting the South Carolina we all love.
Q: Each year, we hear that the Green Tie Awards are a highlight for many legislators, partners, sponsors, and CVSC supporters. What makes this event so special?
A: For me, the Green Tie Awards are special because they bring together such a unique mix of people: legislators, business leaders, advocates, and supporters, who might not always find themselves in the same room and who might not always recognize that they share a common commitment to protecting South Carolina. There’s an energy that you can really feel.
Q: This year, we got to celebrate some really outstanding efforts to advance clean energy and protect South Carolina’s land and water. Can you tell us more about the 2025 honorees and how they helped CVSC strengthen conservation?
A: Each year, a theme emerges from our honoree selection process that reflects what’s top of mind for lawmakers, advocates, and the conservation community. In 2025, it was unmistakable: land protection. Our honorees are tackling the urgent challenge of reckless, unchecked development and sprawl, which threatens the very character of South Carolina.
In their recognition videos, you’ll see a common thread—our state needs better tools and resources to manage growth effectively. What makes this year’s honorees so inspiring is that each is addressing this challenge in a way that reflects their unique role and community. This is what modern land protection looks like: scrappy, effective, and deeply rooted in love for place. The CVSC team is excited to continue working alongside Sen. Johnson, Rep. Smith, and Dr. Seele as they lead this critical effort.
View Sen. Michael Johnson’s Honoree Video Here
View Rep. Mark Smith’s Honoree Video Here
View Dr. Pernessa Seele’s Honoree Video Here
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from this year’s event, and is there anything you’re already looking forward to for 2026?
A: Believe it or not, this was the first year I actually sat in the Grand Hall at 701 Whaley and experienced the program from start to finish. Usually, I’m running around, facilitating last-minute updates or greeting attendees. Being fully present was powerful. I was moved by the energy in the room and the passion each honoree expressed for our environment, our state, and the people who call it home. Ask anyone there, Dr. Pernessa Seele took us to Church with her acceptance speech. We were humbled, we were inspired, and we were united. I also love hearing the honorees’ colleagues share stories about why they care about South Carolina’s special places, and how they’re working to protect them. It is a necessary reminder that we were all conservationists. We are on the same team with a shared goal of safeguarding our state for generations to come.
Looking ahead to 2026, I’m eager to see which lawmakers take up the mantle of conservation by sponsoring bills, rallying support, and leading the charge to protect what makes South Carolina such a special place to live. Recognizing those efforts at Green Tie is always inspiring, and I’m proud to help shine a spotlight on their leadership.
And, you heard it here first, please save the date: Green Tie 2026 will be on Wednesday, September 16th!