Sustain SC Land and Water Action Platform
In 2022, Sustain SC launched the Land and Water Action Platform (LWAP), a new conservation platform dedicated to protecting South Carolina's precious natural resources.
Google contributed the first donation to the platform with a $500,000 grant, which went toward permanently protecting a portion of Waites Island from development. Waites Island is one of the last remaining undeveloped and unprotected barrier islands in the Southeast, located just north of North Myrtle Beach.
Open Space Institute (OSI), one of South Carolina’s leading land conservation organizations, was the first recipient of the platform’s monetary gift. OSI purchased 260 acres of the island in order to transfer it all over to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to be managed as a Heritage Preserve - the highest level of protection provided for property in South Carolina.
“The Sustain SC Fund is a long-waited and ground-breaking initiative, and Waites is a remarkable first project,” said Nate Berry, Senior Vice President of Open Space Institute. “We are honored to partner with Sustain SC and grateful for the generous contribution that will help OSI protect this stunning South Carolina barrier island in perpetuity.”
“This is a momentous step and Google is proud to be a part of it,” said Amber Tillman, Google's Head of Data Center Economic and Community Development. “We fully support Sustain SC’s mission with this initiative and hope Google’s grant encourages others to take part in impactful conservation efforts for South Carolina.”
Google’s commitment inspired others. The Waccamaw Community Foundation matched Google’s gift with a $500,000 contribution.
In 2023, Sustain SC established a formal partnership with the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR), a newly formed department dedicated to lessening the impact of disasters on the communities and citizens of South Carolina. Through the partnership, Sustain SC serves as a liaison bringing state agencies, public sector leaders, corporations and conservation NGOs together to support SCOR on a number of initiatives.
“The launch of the Land and Water Action Platform inspired us to formally partner with Sustain SC,” said Ben Duncan, Executive Director of the South Carolina Office of Resilience. “This partnership will allow us to continue capturing private sector investments and leverage state and federal dollars. It’s a fortuitous relationship needed to help us fulfill our mission and provide the resources needed to support high priority conservation projects, and ensure we are building a resilient state that supports both a strong economy and the protection of our people and precious natural resources in perpetuity.”
