Governor McMaster Honored with Inaugural Palmetto Conservation Leadership Award

jen • April 28, 2026

South Carolina Land Trust Network recognizes decades of leadership protecting the state’s natural and historic resources



Columbia, S.C. (April 27, 2026)— The South Carolina Land Trust Network (SCLTN) presented Governor Henry McMaster with the inaugural Palmetto Conservation Leadership Award, recognizing his commitment to protecting South Carolina’s farms, forests, waterways, and historic landscapes.

The award was presented by Lyles Cooper, Board Chair of the Network and Executive Director of the Pee Dee Land Trust, and Jen Howard, executive director, SCLTN, on behalf of the state’s 24 land trusts, their boards, staff, and conservation easement donors.


“South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, and more than three-quarters of our land is privately owned,” said Jen Howard, executive director, SCLTN. “That growth brings increasing pressure on landowners to sell their property for development. Conservation easements and strategic land protection are essential to maintaining the balance between livability and economic strength that defines our state.”


Land trusts across South Carolina work directly with landowners to permanently protect working farms, forests, and scenic landscapes—ensuring clean water, wildlife habitat, and preservation of the state’s unique sense of place. From historic battlefields to river corridors and family-owned farms, these lands represent both South Carolina’s heritage and its future.


While acknowledging the increasing pace of land protection, Governor McMaster issued a challenge to the fifty landowners and land trust staff in attendance. “South Carolina has been discovered, and that brings increased use of natural resources across our state,” said Governor McMaster. “In order to support our economic prosperity and quality of life, we must continue to protect more land at a faster pace before it’s too late.”


Under Governor McMaster’s leadership, South Carolina has emerged as a national model for collaborative, bipartisan conservation efforts. Through public advocacy, policy support, and partnerships with state agencies and land trusts, his administration has helped advance large-scale conservation initiatives across the state.


Key accomplishments during his tenure include:

  • Significant increases in funding for the South Carolina Conservation Bank, a critical program that helps landowners protect their property while keeping it in productive use
  • Establishment of the South Carolina Office of Resilience to better coordinate conservation and resource management efforts
  • Support for the 2024 Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, expanding tools and funding to protect family farms
  • Facilitation of major conservation projects, including new state parks, forests, and large-scale easements across the state

Since Governor McMaster took office in 2017, more than 385,000 acres have been permanently protected in South Carolina. This includes over 273,000 acres conserved through easements, 58,000 acres acquired for public access, and an additional 54,000 acres secured by land trusts for future transfer to state ownership.

“These achievements reflect a vision that conservation and economic growth are not competing priorities, but complementary ones,” Cooper said. “By protecting working lands and natural resources, we are strengthening South Carolina’s economy and preserving what makes it such a special place to live, work, and visit.”


The Palmetto Conservation Leadership Award honors extraordinary contributions to the permanent protection of South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. In lieu of a traditional plaque, Governor McMaster was presented with a handcrafted longleaf pine needle basket, symbolizing the resilience and ecological importance of one of the state’s most iconic ecosystems.


“We hope this serves as a lasting reminder of the importance of protecting our special places,” Cooper added. “And as encouragement to continue championing conservation for generations to come.”


Recently Shared

ANNUAL GIVING AND ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR

June 3, 2026
Position Type: Full-time Reporting: Chief Advancement Officer Location: Charleston, SC Application Instructions: To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and three (3) references in one PDF addressed to careers@lowcountrylandtrust.org by July 1, 2026. POSITION SUMMARY The Annual Giving and Engagement Director is an experienced, relationship-driven fundraising professional. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director leads the organization’s annual giving and donor engagement strategy, with a particular focus on strengthening annual giving, growing corporate partnerships, and deepening community engagement through signature events and stewardship experiences. This role is central to building and sustaining a strong culture of philanthropy that advances the mission of conservation across the Lowcountry. The Director oversees a comprehensive engagement strategy designed to attract, retain, steward, and elevate donors and community partners while expanding awareness of the Land Trust’s work throughout the region. The Director manages and grows the organization’s corporate sponsorship and Business Leadership Council programs; oversees donor cultivation and fundraising events; and partners closely with advancement colleagues to strengthen the donor pipeline from annual support to major and planned giving. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Annual Giving and Donor Engagement Lead strategy for annual giving and donor engagement programs, with emphasis on donor acquisition, retention, stewardship, and advancement into deeper levels of philanthropic engagement Partner with the advancement team to identify, cultivate, and steward donors through meaningful engagement opportunities Partner with the Philanthropy Director to coordinate stewardship and engagement strategies for leadership, annual giving donors, and Longleaf Society members Develop stewardship experiences and donor engagement plans that strengthen donor loyalty and increase annual support Collaborate with advancement leadership on annual fundraising goals, donor segmentation, and engagement priorities Corporate Partnerships and Community Engagement Grow and manage the organization’s corporate partnership and sponsorship program through prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship Build relationships with local businesses and community leaders to advance conservation awareness and philanthropic investment Oversee and grow the Business Leadership Council, including meeting planning, member engagement, sponsor cultivation, and strategic programming Identify opportunities to expand community engagement and philanthropic visibility throughout the broader Lowcountry region Events and Philanthropic Experiences Provide strategic leadership for signature fundraising and donor engagement events, including the Sporting Clays Shoot, Spring Gathering, Oyster Roast, Longleaf Society Conservation Celebration, and additional cultivation events throughout the year Ensure events support organizational fundraising, donor stewardship, and community engagement goals Partner with advancement operations staff, volunteers, board members, sponsors, vendors, and community organizations to support successful event planning and execution Oversee sponsorship strategy, donor hosting, volunteer engagement, and constituent experience related to events Advancement Leadership and Collaboration Collaborate closely with the advancement team on donor stewardship, reporting, and donor communications Participate in Advancement Committee meetings and support board engagement activities as appropriate Contribute to the continued development of advancement systems, processes, and organizational best practices Support a collaborative, mission-centered advancement culture across the organization Other Duties as Required: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work an employee assigned to this position will perform. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. All staff members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time. The organization holds events that might occur on weekends or after hours. Staff are expected to assist with those events. Onboarding is in person, and employees meet in person once per month for a staff meeting and occasionally throughout the year for group events. QUALIFICATIONS Required: Bachelor’s degree or comparable professional experience Minimum 6–8 years of experience in fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorship development, or advancement Demonstrated success managing donor and/or sponsor relationships and achieving fundraising goals Experience planning and overseeing donor-facing events and engagement experiences Excellent relationship-building, communication, and organizational skills Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to detail Experience working collaboratively with volunteers, boards, and community stakeholders Passion for conservation and the mission of Lowcountry Land Trust Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and donor engagement activities Preferred: Experience managing leadership, annual giving, or donor membership programs Experience growing corporate sponsorship or business engagement programs Familiarity with donor databases and fundraising CRM systems, including Virtuous or similar platforms Knowledge of Charleston and Lowcountry philanthropic and business communities Background in conservation, land trust, or environmental nonprofit work Benefits Summary Insurance Health Insurance CoPay Plan with FSA (Flexible Spending Account) option (Employee premium covered 90% by employer (ER)) HDHP (High Deductible) Plans with HSA (Health Savings Account) option (All medical costs are paid out of pocket until the deductible is met; Employee premium covered 100% by ER; Includes Employer HSA contribution) Dental Insurance – Employee premium covered 100% by ER Group Life Insurance w/ AD&D ($25,000) – Employee premium covered 100% by ER Disability - Employee premium covered 100% by ER Optional benefits available – Paid by Employee: Health FSA & Dependent Care FSA HSA Accident Insurance Critical Illness Coverage Hospital Indemnity Legal Assistance Pet Wellness Vision Care Voluntary Life Insurance Financial & Retirement: 403(b) with Immediate Eligibility for Age 21 and works at least 83 1/3 hours per month; Up to 6% match after 6 months of employment Family & Parenting: Family & Medical Leave Hybrid Work Environment (in-office/from home) Flexible Hours Paid Time Off: Self-managed PTO 11 Paid Holidays Perks: Partial Mobile Phone Reimbursement Lowcountry Land Trust is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and to comply with all federal, state, and local laws that apply to equal employment. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all personnel actions, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation or identity, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital status, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran, service in the federal or state military, union affiliation, pregnancy or breastfeeding, medical or genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular blood trait, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make test results available to the Company, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, in accordance with applicable laws. The Land Trust also complies with the South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodation Act. Click here to learn more.

AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST EXPANDS HANGING ROCK BATTLEFIELD WITH NEW 160-ACRE ACQUISITION

May 6, 2026
The American Battlefield Trust today announced the acquisition of an approximately 160-acre property within the footprint of the Battle of Hanging Rock in rural Lancaster County. The property is the sixth parcel acquired to support ongoing protection and interpretation efforts at one of South Carolina’s newest battlefield parks. With this current purchase, the protected acres at the Hanging Rock battlefield now total 330 acres. 

Lowcountry Land Trust Part-Time Accountant

April 29, 2026
Position Type: Part-Time (30 hours per week) Location: Charleston, SC Reporting: Controller Starting: July 1, 2026 Application Instructions: To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and three (3) references in one PDF addressed to careers@lowcountrylandtrust.org by May 15, 2026. POSITION SUMMARY The Accountant is a talented, motivated, and detail-oriented professional who plays a vital role at Lowcountry Land Trust. As a member of the accounting team, working under the direction of the Controller, the Accountant is responsible for managing accounts receivable and payable, processing deposits, preparing journal entries to record income, and reconciling banks and other financial accounts. This role also supports the Controller and other staff in budgeting activities and participates in additional projects designed to foster professional growth in accounting and general office operations. Progressively expanded responsibilities to include learning the payroll process; assuming full ownership of subsidiary financial reporting; producing monthly financial statements and summary reports; reconciling QuickBooks with Virtuous (donor database); and evaluating processes and recommending ways to improve efficiency. View the full job description via the link or at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org