COLUMBIA, S.C.—The much-anticipated Green Tie Awards Luncheon returns to honor the dedication of civic and elected leaders who have shown steadfast commitment to protecting South Carolina’s air, land, and water.
Hosted by Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC), this year’s event will take place on Wednesday, September 18th, at the historic 701 Whaley in Columbia. This occasion will not only highlight the achievements of the award recipients but will also foster collaboration, bringing together leaders from various fields to inspire further efforts in protecting South Carolina's natural environment and ensuring the health and well-being of our communities.
This year's event will bestow three awards to honorees, reflecting their significant contributions. The honorees and their respective awards are as follows:
The Honorable Spencer Wetmore, Green Tie Award for House Conservation Leadership
Representative Spencer Wetmore–a native Charlestonian–represents District 115 and has accomplished more for the cause of conservation in her four years in office than many do in a lifetime. Since being elected in 2020, she has worked tirelessly to defend core environmental protections and support bold land protection and clean energy goals. For her remarkable achievements, including a lifetime conservation score of 123%, CVSC is honored to award Representative Wetmore with the Green Tie Award for House Conservation Leadership.
Paul Black, Harriet Keyserling Green Tie Award for Conservation Advocacy
Paul Black, a University of South Carolina Political Science graduate, has been a dynamic force in South Carolina environmental advocacy since 2018. Known for galvanizing communities to drive transformational legislation at CVSC, he transitioned to the Sierra Club as a Senior Field Organizer in 2022 to focus on building resilient communities. His dedication to empowering future environmental leaders and his pivotal role in defeating a dangerous fossil fuel-backed energy bill in the General Assembly earlier this year earned him the Harriet Keyserling Award for Conservation Advocacy.
Rick Huffman, Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award
Rick Huffman, founder of Earth Design Inc. and the South Carolina Native Plant Society, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in environmental advocacy for over 35 years. His work includes serving on regional and national conservation boards, conducting educational workshops, performing the master plan study for the new Black River State Park and Water Trails, creating the concept design for the South Carolina Rosenwald Trail Study, and working closely with Native American tribes to preserve cultural knowledge of native plants. Rick’s profound impact on the protection, enhancement, and restoration of the environment through education and community engagement epitomizes the values of the Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award.
John Tynan, President of CVSC, expressed, “We are delighted to celebrate the exceptional work of these individuals who have led transformational efforts to safeguard our environment and enhance the health and well-being of our communities. Their commitment to protecting the South Carolina we love serves as an inspiring example for us all, and we are honored to recognize their achievements.”
For more information, visit cvsc.org/greentie.