South Carolina Environmental Law Project

Need Our Help? Did you know you could submit a Help Request anytime, directly from the #SCELP website? If you are interested in our services for an environmental problem affecting you or your community, fill out this form. https://lnkd.in/eZRACM3A

🚨 Charleston County Voters! 🚨 The proposed extension of a half-percent transportation sales tax is projected to generate over $5 billion, with a significant portion earmarked for the I-526 extension and only a tiny fraction of the funds set aside for parks and land conservation. This project threatens vital wetlands and communities on Johns Island and could accelerate unwanted development in this rural area. We urge you to vote NO on both sales tax questions to show that Charleston County residents prioritize sustainable infrastructure and environmental protection. 💚🌳 Read more about the potential consequences of this project in The Post and Courier: https://lnkd.in/eEUYe4vB #SCELP #ForTheWildSide 

A flexible work environment, competitive non-profit salary and the opportunity to make a real impact – there’s still time to join our team as a Staff Attorney and enjoy a fulfilling career! 💚 This opportunity won’t last long, though. Apply today on our website: https://lnkd.in/dsMCqgWf #SCELP #ForTheWildSide

“We are slowly and literally paving over paradise.” Our executive director, Amy Armstrong, recently wrote about the dramatic ways Pawleys Island has transformed over the past 22 years. Although these changes are alarming, the solution isn't to create a new town. Instead, the focus should be on implementing new ordinances that protect our natural environment while providing sustainable housing options. Read the Coastal Observer letter to the editor here: https://lnkd.in/gKAFkRtq #SCELP #ForTheWildSide 

Solar power is an incredible resource for generating clean, sustainable electricity without toxic pollution or global warming emissions. But when solar farms cause habitat loss or damage to wetlands and streams, clean energy is prioritized over biodiversity. We believe that doesn’t have to be the case. Scroll through this post for some alternatives that can reduce the environmental impacts associated with solar power, allowing this source of clean energy to reach its full environmentally friendly potential. ☀️💚 #SCELP #ForTheWildSide #cleanenergy 

We're grateful we had the opportunity to attend last week's University of South Carolina's Environmental Law 101 Workshop! Thank you Sustain SC for moderating the panel our Executive Director, Amy Armstrong, participated in. 💚

A few of our staff members joined the 2024 Conservation Leaders Summit this week! Our Executive Director, Amy Armstrong, participated in a panel on enhancing resilience in coastal ecosystems and innovative strategies that can protect and restore these vital areas. Thank you SC Conservation Coalition for bringing together conservation leaders from across the state and hosting this collaborative and informative summit! 💚 #SCELP #ForTheWildSide 

We use our expertise in coastal management to protect important beachfront systems from degradation and advocate for climate-conscious decisions. Rob Young, PhD, PG's renowned knowledge of coastal issues perfectly complements our work to preserve these ecosystems, which made him an ideal choice for this year's Wild Side featured speaker. To better visualize the scope of the South’s beach nourishment projects over the last 25 years, Dr. Young said, “You could build a beach from the Virginia line all the way around to the Mississippi-Louisiana line that would be about 1,200 feet wide and would be about 10 feet thick. This is our current coastal management strategy.” Read more about his speech at our recent Wild Side event here: https://lnkd.in/eamU-aMD #SCELP #ForTheWildSide 

We are thrilled to announce that the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has been granted intervention in the Pine Island federal lawsuit! 🎉 This intervention allows for the Coalition to further protect its interests in preserving Beaufort County’s Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO), which was created in 1999 to protect the Gullah/Geechee people, culture and resources on St. Helena Island. Since 2022, a developer has sought to get around the protections of the CPO and build a gated golf club resort on St. Helena Island despite an explicit prohibition on these uses. As a full party to the case, the Coalition will be involved in the discovery process going forward. Learn more about this case on our website: https://lnkd.in/eAZV7AQ9 #SCELP #ForTheWildSide 

Our 15th annual Wild Side showed just how much of a positive impact our supporters can have! 💚 Through your generous donations and sponsorships, we were able to raise over $132,000 which will help us continue our work protecting South Carolina’s land, water and communities. We enjoyed listening to the compelling remarks from our speaker, Rob Young, PhD, PG, who also delivered the many food bank donations to a very grateful community struck by Helene in Western North Carolina. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Biohabitats, as well as all of our event sponsors and businesses whose in-kind donations helped make Wild Side so successful! #SCELP #ForTheWildSide