Columbia, SC – According to Ducks Unlimited, South Carolina Governor Henry D. McMaster received the 2026 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award for his exemplary leadership in protecting the state’s vital wetlands and associated habitats.
Under Governor McMaster’s two-term administration, partners successfully conserved more than 229,000 acres of historic and environmentally significant land. This effort included securing over $300 million in funding dedicated to land and water conservation. In 2025, McMaster outlined an ambitious initiative to protect 10 million acres throughout South Carolina, emphasizing the integration of wetland conservation priorities into broader planning.
Ducks Unlimited played a pivotal role as a key partner in these planning efforts, ensuring that habitat protection for waterfowl and other wildlife remained central. The organization committed to serving as a primary delivery partner, facilitating land acquisitions through fee title and implementing voluntary conservation easements on private properties. In South Carolina, Ducks Unlimited holds easements on over 150,000 acres, underscoring its unmatched expertise in voluntary land protection.
Governor McMaster has consistently highlighted voluntary land protection as a critical strategy to address South Carolina’s pressing environmental and economic challenges. These include unchecked urban growth and sprawl, deteriorating water quality, escalating flood risks, and the need for enhanced rural economic resilience. His administration’s initiatives have directly tackled these issues by preserving essential ecosystems that support biodiversity and community well-being.
A notable achievement occurred last fall when McMaster announced a groundbreaking project to safeguard over 62,000 acres in the Pee Dee Basin. This marked the largest conservation easement by acreage in the state’s history. The protected lands provide crucial habitat for at least 115 plant and animal species, encompassing migratory birds, rare mussels, and species such as Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon. Among the conserved features are 30,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, which play a vital role in absorbing floodwaters and shielding downstream communities from severe weather events.
Furthermore, more than 7,500 acres of this easement project will become publicly accessible upon completion. These areas will facilitate recreational activities including hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Such opportunities contribute significantly to South Carolina’s economy, generating $2.74 billion annually through outdoor pursuits.
More recently, Governor McMaster participated in the announcement of one of the most substantial voluntary conservation easements in U.S. history. This involved the permanent protection of nearly 4,400 acres at Clarendon Farms in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. The project was enabled by the generous contributions of Cox Enterprises and the Cox family, further exemplifying collaborative efforts in habitat conservation.
The award presentation took place during the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Ducks Unlimited Chief Conservation Officer Dr. Karen Waldrop praised McMaster and other honorees, noting that their dedication advances wetland conservation across North America. She emphasized how such commitments, supported by members, volunteers, and partners, transform landscapes and improve lives.
McMaster’s recognition aligns with Ducks Unlimited’s broader mission to celebrate individuals and groups advancing wetland and waterfowl conservation. The awards highlight the importance of voluntary programs under the Farm Bill, which fund essential initiatives like the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program. These programs are indispensable for protecting wetlands predominantly situated on private farmlands.
In South Carolina, the governor’s policies have fostered partnerships that balance environmental stewardship with economic vitality. By prioritizing easements and public access, his administration has ensured that conserved lands benefit both wildlife and residents. The Pee Dee Basin project, for instance, not only safeguards biodiversity but also mitigates flood risks, a growing concern in the region.
Ducks Unlimited’s involvement in South Carolina extends beyond planning to on-the-ground implementation. The organization’s expertise in easements has protected vast tracts of wetland habitat, supporting migratory species and enhancing ecosystem resilience. McMaster’s agenda to conserve 10 million acres positions the state as a leader in addressing climate challenges through proactive land management.
As South Carolina faces ongoing pressures from development and natural disasters, initiatives like those championed by Governor McMaster provide a model for sustainable growth. The conserved acres in the Pee Dee Basin and Clarendon Farms demonstrate how strategic protections can yield ecological, economic, and recreational dividends. For more information, visit Ducks Unlimited.