In conjunction with the 2025 South Carolina Native Plant Society (SCNPS) Annual Meeting scheduled for October 18, 2025, in Murrells Inlet, SC, the Society will hold elections for state officers. The officers’ terms begin January 1, 2026, and end December 31, 2027. The State Board of Directors puts forth the following candidates for election to the SCNPS State Board of Directors:
State President — Tierney Rosenstock
Tierney’s passion for plants began in childhood, exploring her parents’ cut flower and Christmas tree farm in upstate New York. Before attending college, she spent nearly a decade immersed in horticulture, working in retail and wholesale garden centers in New York and South Florida.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences, as well as a master’s in Environmental Studies, where her thesis focused on the pollination ecology of pink lady-slipper orchids, Cypripedium acaule. During her time as a natural resource planner for the state of New York, Tierney co-led and helped design the Adirondack Orchid Survey.
For over a decade, she has led guided plant walks and been a sought-after speaker on botany and native flora, presenting in New York, Massachusetts, and South Carolina.
In 2022, she helped establish the Grand Strand Chapter and has served as both Vice President and Plant Sale Chair. From plant sale layouts to community presentations, Tierney has helped support the mission of SCNPS in the Grand Strand region. During her tenure, the chapter has grown to more than 200 members.
In addition to serving her local chapter, Tierney has served on the SCNPS State Board since 2022 and was elected State Treasurer in 2024. During her time on the Board, she has been instrumental in bringing the Native Plant Directory to fruition, implementing new membership software (Neon), and balancing the budget.
Tierney brings decades of native plant expertise, passion, and leadership to the SCNPS, would be honored to serve as your next state President.
State Vice-President — Jonathan Reaume
Jonathan Reaume is currently a member of the upstate chapter of the SCNPS. He and his wife live in Travelers Rest, SC, and they are currently expecting their first child.
Jonathan runs a sustainable landscaping business and has been working in landscaping since he was 14. He has been a lover of the outdoors and nature his entire life, but in the last few years has developed a passion for native plants and why they are so important to every aspect of our lives. That passion has led him to pursue becoming a better naturalist and steward of the environment.
Jonathan’s joined the SCNPS because he wanted to get involved wherever he can, and to help spread the word about the importance of native plants and the ecosystems they inhabit. He especially loves sharing this passion with people his age and younger.
Jonathan considers it an honor to be a candidate for Vice-President. He’s excited for the opportunities and experience that would come with the position!
State Secretary — Victoria Green
Victoria is an environmental scientist and big fan of native plants. In 2022, she helped to establish the Grand Strand Chapter and has served as the chapter’s first president for the past three years, during which time she helped to grow the chapter to more than two hundred passionate members in Horry and Georgetown counties. She has also served on the state board for the past three years.
Victoria earned her undergraduate degree in earth and ocean sciences and recently completed her master’s in communication. When she’s not writing emails or making spreadsheets, she enjoys buying books and slowly transforming her backyard into a pollinator oasis.
State Treasurer — Jon Heiliger
Jon most recently served for two years as Treasurer on the Board of the Upstate Chapter of SCNPS. Previously he had served as Treasurer for one year at the Queen City Optimist Club; two years at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church; and five years for Heiliger Sheild Associates, a commercial real estate firm in Charlotte.
He’s enjoyed nature his whole life and now, in retirement, has been able to devote more time to ecological gardening. Partnering with the City of Clemson, he’s removed invasive plant species and installed (and maintains) two native plant gardens within City parks. He also maintains native plantings at University Lutheran Church and around his neighborhood.
Jon is honored to be considered for the position of State Treasurer.
Additional Nominations: Nominations are still being accepted for these positions. Additional nominations must be made by a member in good standing and submitted no later than September 26, 2025, in order to be included in the final ballot. Please submit nominations in writing to Dan Whitten at president@scnps.org.
Absentee Ballots: Absentee ballots may be requested by any member in good standing who is not attending the annual meeting. The request must be made in writing to Dan Whitten at president@scnps.org. Absentee ballots MUST be completed and returned to Dan no later than October 18, 2025. A ballot box will be available at the annual meeting.
Questions?
For more information, review the SCNPS bylaws on our website. Additionally, contact your local chapter officers to learn more about how you can contribute to SCNPS at the state level.
