Planting South Carolina Roots

Planting South Carolina Roots Hero Image

Team members: Amy Bartow-Melia, Ashley Page Bookhart, Hope Derrick, Zach Griffin, James Jeter, Stig Rasmussen, Stewart Robertson, Lindsay Yearta

Understanding where food comes from, how a plant grows, and how people connect with plants and place helps learners of all ages develop environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Strengthening people-to-plant connections is essential for fostering environmental literacy, stewardship, and long-term conservation behaviors. The Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) Midlands Cohort, in partnership with the South Carolina State Museum, has launched Planting South Carolina Roots, a project designed to celebrate and preserve the state’s natural heritage through native gardening and community education. Like other successful native plant initiatives, this project recognizes that meaningful engagement requires more than awareness. It involves ongoing, interactive experiences that build knowledge, skills, and a shared sense of purpose.

The initiative addresses a growing need for environmental awareness and sustainable practices by creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with South Carolina’s unique flora. By promoting native plant gardening, the project supports both ecological health and cultural understanding of the state’s natural history. Native plants are especially valuable because they support biodiversity, conserve water, and create habitats for pollinators and wildlife.

Not only will the garden serve as an outdoor classroom by providing hands-on learning opportunities, students and other visitors will have access to free, open-pollinated native seeds to the public. By combining seed access with training and shared learning, the initiative reflects proven strategies for building community capacity and increasing confidence in native plant cultivation.

Together, these efforts aim to make a lasting community impact. The project supports student education through experiential learning, protects pollinator populations critical to the ecosystem, and promotes sustainable gardening methods that conserve water and reduce chemical use. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to strengthen the connection between people and place, recognizing that environmental stewardship grows from ongoing interaction, shared knowledge, and a deeper appreciation of local ecosystems. Through a combination of education, hands-on experience, and community collaboration, the project builds both ecological awareness and the capacity for sustained, community-driven conservation.

Mission: To connect communities with South Carolina’s natural heritage through native gardening, education, and sustainable practices.

Objectives:

  • Promote the use and understanding of native plants
  • Provide hands-on educational experiences for learners of all ages
  • Support pollinator health and biodiversity
  • Encourage sustainable gardening practices
  • Strengthen connections between communities and local ecosystems

Additional Benefits:

  • Enhances public spaces with sustainable, educational landscapes
  • Builds community engagement through volunteerism and shared stewardship
  • Provides accessible resources for home gardeners
  • Reinforces environmental responsibility and cultural awareness