MISSION

The mission of Sustainable Midlands is to preserve and enhance quality of life in the Midlands of South Carolina by providing education and facilitating communication among citizens and community leaders about creating communities that have clean air and water and support principles of sustainability.

The key to strong communities is citizen participation. The key to sustainability is where and how we grow. When elected officials, planners, developers, business leaders, non-profit leaders and citizens work together to plan our region, everyone benefits.

Let’s grow smarter: link land use and transportation solutions, reinvest in our neighborhoods, and preserve our farms, forests, and open spaces.


To read more about Sustainable Communities, click here.

Sustainable Midlands is a project of the Conservation Voters of South Carolina Education Fund.  For more info contact our Project Coordinator, Ryan Nevius at ryan@sustainablemidlands.org or 803-381-8747.

Board
Harriet Keyserling, Beaufort, President: Former County Council member and South Carolina State Representative, Harriet has worked on numerous arts and civic boards. During her 16 years in the House, she chaired the Women’s Caucus, the Energy Committee, and the Joint Committee on Cultural Affairs.
June Shissias, Columbia, Vice-President: Former chair of the SC Parole, Probation and Pardon Board, June served five years in the State House of Representatives where she worked on child support, welfare, education, environmental and women’s issues.
Virginia Sanders, Columbia, Secretary: Virginia is the former Growth Outreach Coordinator of the National Sierra Club.
Christie McGregor, Columbia, Treasurer: Christie is the Legislative Director for the Coastal Conservation League where she educates both elected officials and the general public about the League’s legislative priorities. She also serves on the Board of the State Environmental Leadership Program.
Cynthia Powell, Myrtle Beach: Cynthia is a former candidate for Myrtle Beach City Council. She is the Chair of the Winyah Chapter of the South Carolina Sierra Club.
Staff
Ann Timberlake, Executive Director: Ann formerly owned the Purple Cow Grocery, worked in retail sales and marketing, and helped organize the Sierra Club in the Carolinas in the 1970s.
Debbie Parker, Program Director: Debbie serves on the Board of the State Environmental Leadership Program and the Congaree Riverkeeper. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Public Relations.
Bruce Lawrence, Development Director: Bruce recently graduate with a Master’s in Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina and has worked in marketing and development since college.
John Ramsburgh, Climate and Energy Director: John is the former director of both the South Carolina Heat is On project and the Sierra Club of South Carolina. He has a background in community organizing and holds a PhD in English from the University of Michigan.
Hamp Shuping, CoastMatters Director: Hamp was the first Waccamaw Riverkeeper, chaired the Conway Water Quality and Drainage Commission and he is a member of the Sierra Club’s Winyah Group. He has retired from an active career in fire service and has a degree in Public Administration from the College of Charleston.Contact our project coordinator at ryan@sustainablemidlands.org