THE NATURE CONSERVANCY PURCHASES JASPER COUNTY’S CHELSEA PLANTATION

Audubon South Carolina has a robust working lands program that includes hands on management of more than 30,000 acres of Audubon owned/managed forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Audubon SC also works extensively with private and public land managers and owners in the forested and agricultural landscapes of the state to implement land management practices that enhance habitat for priority birds while promoting flood and climate resilience. Reporting to the Working Lands Manager, and collaborating closely with other teams, the Working Lands Coordinator (two open positions) will be charged with assisting with and facilitating landowner outreach and technical assistance efforts across South Carolina in support of Audubon’s habitat management goals by supporting programs funded by the U.S. Forest Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other targeted grants. The position will have a specific focus on landscapes identified by Audubon scientists as priority based on land attributes such as carbon, connectivity, and demographic data. The Coordinator will also collaborate with Audubon colleagues, chapter members, and volunteers—as well as conservation allies and partner organizations -- to advance the goals and objectives of Audubon's Flight Plan. The ideal candidate is an effective communicator with a desire to foster collaborative partnerships and/or coalitions related to land management and/or conservation. They are also a creative thinker and inclusive team player, who approaches their work with a commitment to mutual respect and a desire and willingness to learn as much as to teach. The standard workweek is 40 hours, Monday through Friday, however, occasional weekend work is to be expected. This is a remote position based in South Carolina. The Coordinator may work remotely and/or at one of our offices in Columbia, Charleston, Silver Bluff Sanctuary (Jackson), or Beidler Forest Center and Sanctuary (Harleyville). Frequent travel is expected throughout the state including but not limited to the pee dee, midlands, and the upstate and around our sanctuaries and project areas. This position is grant funded, with grant funds available for a two and a half-year position. Compensation: $24.00 - $26.00 / hour For more information, click here.

Audubon South Carolina has a robust working lands program that includes hands on management of more than 30,000 acres of Audubon owned/managed forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Audubon SC also works extensively with private and public land managers and owners in the forested and agricultural landscapes of the state to implement land management practices that enhance habitat for priority birds while promoting flood and climate resilience. Reporting to the Director of Land Conservation, and collaborating closely with other teams, the Working Lands Program Manager will be charged with leading landowner outreach and technical assistance efforts across South Carolina in support of Audubon’s habitat management goals by supporting programs funded by the Forest Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other targeted grants. The position will have a specific focus on priority landscapes identified by Audubon scientists based on land attributes such as carbon, connectivity, and demographic data. The Program Manager will also collaborate with Audubon colleagues, chapter members, and volunteers—as well as conservation allies and partner organizations -- to advance the goals and objectives of Audubon's Flight Plan. The ideal candidate is an effective project manager with experience fostering collaborative partnerships and/or coalitions related to land management and/or conservation. They are also a creative thinker and inclusive team player, who approaches their work with a commitment to mutual respect and a desire and willingness to learn as much as to teach. The standard workweek is 40 hours, Monday through Friday, however, occasional weekend work is to be expected. This is a remote position based in South Carolina. This Manager may work remotely and/or at one of our offices in Columbia, Charleston, Silver Bluff Sanctuary (Jackson), or Beidler Forest Center and Sanctuary (Harleyville). Frequent travel is expected throughout the state including but not limited to the lowcountry, midlands, and the upstate and around our sanctuaries and project areas. This position is grant funded, with grant funds available for a two and a half-year position. Compensation: $63,000 - $68,000 / year For more information, click here

Guest blogger: Sebrenna Bryant, state outreach coordinator for USDA's Farm Service Agency (SC) Boasting a robust agricultural landscape of nearly 23,000 farms sprawled across 4.5 million acres of fertile land, South Carolina is a state deeply rooted in agriculture. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) in South Carolina plays a pivotal role in supporting this thriving agriculture economy by managing acreage reports for nearly 2 million acres and aiding farmers' participation in approximately 20 different FSA programs. By doing this, the FSA in South Carolina not only supports USDA's mission but also contributes significantly to maintaining a healthy, stable, accessible, and affordable food supply for all. Historically, FSA traces its roots back to the Great Depression, when the Farm Security Administration was created to help American farmers amid a challenging time. And while the agency’s name and mission have both changed and grown over the years, its commitment to helping farmers has not. Today, FSA plays a crucial role in supporting rural prosperity, improving the environment, and contributing to U.S. national security by helping to ensure a safe, affordable, and abundant food supply. Over the years, FSA’s available programs have expanded to include safety net, farm loan, conservation, and disaster assistance programs. These programs ensure producers have a strong safety net in place in case of natural disasters or market fluctuations. FSA farm loans are available for producers who want to get started in production agriculture or make investments in existing operations but are unable to obtain credit from private lenders. FSA conservation programs give landowners the tools and resources to protect environmentally sensitive land and restore grasslands and forests, leading to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and enhanced wildlife habitat. FSA’s flagship conservation program, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural producers and landowners to convert highly erodible and other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as native grasses, trees, and riparian buffers. The benefits of CRP are far-reaching. CRP protects more than 20 million acres of American topsoil from erosion and is designed to safeguard the nation’s natural resources. With over 22,000 acres enrolled in CRP in South Carolina, several landowners have utilized CRP in our home state, with the hope that the increased vegetation would lead to increased wildlife habitat, including bobwhite quail. This has been seen as a great success. Although the terms of CRP and land trusts may differ, with land trusts often encouraging permanent easements, both entities share conservation goals to support farmers and ranchers, and to protect environmentally sensitive land.  Together, FSA and land trusts can help landowners understand the wide scope of available options for preserving and protecting their property, while helping South Carolina to achieve a greater impact in protecting farmland and promoting sustainable agriculture for generations to come. W.R. “Cody” Simpson, III, was appointed by the Trump Administration to serve as the State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency in South Carolina in May 2025. He has spent his lifetime protecting the Palmetto State’s agricultural heritage and growing its future. Simpson supports wetland conservation through Ducks Unlimited and collaborates with the Pee Dee Land Trust to safeguard natural habitats.

Congaree Land Trust is proud to announce a significant achievement in its 33-year history: the permanent protection of over 100,000 acres of vital land across central South Carolina. Read more.

Lowcountry Land Trust is excited to announce the permanent protection of 66 acres on Johns Island, marking a crucial step toward restoring the community’s historic access to the water while preserving the area’s natural beauty and ecological health. The property will eventually become a county park managed for public use by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC). Read more.

Congaree Land Trust is proud to announce the permanent conservation of 174 acres of land in Sumter County. This newly protected property is a significant addition that further protects the ecological integrity and rural character of the COWASEE Basin, a region celebrated for its rich biodiversity and natural heritage in central South Carolina. Read more.

Congaree Land Trust is proud to announce the permanent conservation of an additional 51.66 acres of land in Lexington County. This conservation success was made possible through a fully donated conservation easement from the Stone Family, whose gift ensures the lasting legacy of this cherished landscape. Read more here.

Coordinates and facilitates the natural resource management and conservation activities of the State Park Service's Resource Management Section in collaboration with the field and other internal departments. *Coordinates the development and implementation of a wide variety of natural resource management plans/ projects (agency-wide and for individual park needs) including visitor service enhancements, invasive exotic plant management, species management, nuisance animal management, and land conservation/restoration projects. *Develop and administer federal and other partner grants/cost share to support restoration, conservation, or species management projects. *Works with Resource Management Chief, Forester, and Geospatial Analyst to plan and facilitate state-wide natural resource projects. *Preparation of specific management plans for individual state parks and system-wide -Provide technical assistance for conservation, visitor services, and land management needs. *Work with acquisition team to prioritize conserved lands for acquisition and manage state-wide land acquisition projects. *Responsible for the coordination of research permitting and monitoring projects on SC State Park property. For more information click here

The GIS & Conservation Planning Manager is a mission-driven, personable, and self-motivated individual. This position is critical to the successful and efficient function of the Conservation Department, in addition to serving as a cross-departmental resource for the organization. This GIS & Conservation Planning Manager is responsible for creating and managing all of the GIS (Geographic Information System) data, the ArcGIS Online web maps and the ArcGIS Field Maps app, the Landscape database portfolio and spatial data; and creating maps for prospective easements, legal documents, conservation value analysis, planning initiatives, and events. The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a significant number of concurrent projects underway at all times. How to Apply: Application Instructions: To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, four (4) references (including someone who has supervised you), and three (3) examples of mapping created personally by you; in one PDF addressed to careers@lowcountrylandtrust.org . To learn more, click here.