The Nature Conservancy Awards Highest Honor to South Carolina Conservationist

COLUMBIA, SC — The South Carolina Chapter of the Nature Conservancy is pleased to announce that Joe Williams of Spring Island will receive the organization’s highest honor at a November 12^th celebration. The Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Award is reserved for those individuals who have made outstanding, long-term contributions to the mission of The Nature Conservancy.

Joe Williams

Mr. Williams has volunteered with the Conservancy for 22 years, serving on the Board of Governors for 10 years and as chairman for four. He served as a trustee of the South Carolina Chapter and helped establish boards in North and South Carolina and anchored both state’s capital campaigns. He was also the founding board chairman of the Oklahoma Chapter where he resided for some time. Mr. Williams was a major force behind the unprecedented surge in protected areas in South Carolina, particularly with the state’s waters and marshes.

“In addition to contributing his own time and money, Mr. Williams has recruited numerous volunteers and donors to the organization,” said Mark Robertson, South Carolina Executive Director. “Joe has inspired many others across the country to get involved in conservation issues in their own communities.”

Other substantial contributions include leading the campaign to save the 39,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma, guiding the Last Great Places Campaign, and protecting a key tract of Block Island in Rhode Island.

Mr. Williams was a tireless advocate of conservation in the energy industry prior to its being a popular cause.

In addition to his direct service to The Nature Conservancy, Mr. Williams has served with other conservation groups, including the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society and the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies.