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January Upstate General Chapter Meeting

Posted on by Jesse Freeman (Upstate)

Photo Credit: Rick Huffman

Rick Huffman: “Advocacy on the Horizon in 2025”

Join us for our upcoming meeting, where Rick Huffman will share the exciting advocacy work of the South Carolina Native Plant Society. From educational programs to vital land conservation initiatives, Rick has been at the forefront of efforts to protect and preserve our natural resources. In his inspiring talk, he will outline plans for 2025, highlight impactful projects like Greenville County’s waterway buffers, and showcase the opportunities ahead for SCNPS to make a difference. This is a chance to learn more about our mission and discover how you can be part of this important work.

BIO:

Rick Huffman has been an unwavering advocate for land ethic values and environmental education since the 1970s. A 1993 graduate of the School of Environmental Design and Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia, and a member of the Sigma Lambda Alpha National Honor Society for Landscape Architects, Rick has dedicated his career to sustainability and conservation.

In 1996, Rick founded Earth Design Inc., a landscape architecture and environmental design firm specializing in sustainable landscapes featuring indigenous flora. That same year, he co-founded the South Carolina Native Plant Society (SCNPS), an organization committed to preserving and promoting native plants in South Carolina.

Rick’s environmental advocacy extends beyond SCNPS. In 1999, he played a pivotal role in establishing the National Native Plant Conservation Alliance, collaborating with leaders at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. His contributions to environmental education include co-authoring Life at the Water’s Edge, a book addressing water quality and quantity issues, which earned the 2006 Natural Resource Publication of the Year award.

His achievements have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Environmental Educator of the Year Award (2003), the Governor’s Award for Environmental Awareness (2006), and Upstate Forever’s Volunteer of the Year Award (2010). From 2014 to 2019, he served on the U.S. Green Building Council’s regional and South Carolina boards and advisory committees.

In 2024, Rick was honored with the Lifetime Conservation Award by the Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC), a rare distinction recognizing his decades of leadership in protecting and restoring South Carolina’s land, air, and water.

As Advocacy Chair for the SCNPS Upstate chapter and a tireless volunteer, Rick continues to inspire and educate. He has served as SCNPS President for 13 years, contributed to numerous Upstate plant sales, and designed the native plant demonstration garden at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History, a landmark project for the chapter.

For information on how to attend this meeting, please visit the Meeting Event Page.