Cultivating Minds Lecture Series: An Evening with Dana Beach

An Evening with Dana Beach: Native Plants & Conservation in the South Carolina Lowcountry

We are honored to welcome Dana Beach, one of South Carolina’s most influential environmental leaders, for a fascinating evening exploring the rich ecological heritage of the Lowcountry. Dana is the founder and former director of the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, which he launched in 1989 and led for over two decades. Under his leadership, the organization grew from a two-person team to a nationally recognized force in land use reform, conservation policy, and sustainable development across the state.

During his tenure, the League played a critical role in shaping coastal conservation efforts and helped launch projects like GrowFood Carolina, the state’s first local food hub. Dana’s visionary leadership has earned him numerous awards, including the Order of the Palmetto, Time Magazine for Kids “Hero for the Planet”, and the Peter Benchley “Hero of the Seas” award.