(Isle of Palms, SC) Being a defender of the environment isn’t a partisan issue. Sen. Chip Campsen proved that last week by receiving the Senate Leadership Award from the Conservation Voters of South Carolina and the John W. Drummond Conservationist Award from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

“Chip has proven that he has the vision and courage to lead – plus a healthy dose of dogged determination,” said the CVSC’s Ann Timberlake. “He is known as the ‘Father of the Conservation Bank’ because he authored the bill for this landmark program that has now protected over 150,000 acres of our most cherished landscapes – the Morris Island Lighthouse, Issaqueena Falls, Carolina bays, bottomland forests and Oconee dairy farms – is largely due to his determination to see it funded.”

The Conservation Bank provides for protecting significant natural resource areas and wildlife habitats, protecting water quality, maintaining the state’s forest lands, protecting farmlands, especially family farms, protecting and enhancing the state’s natural beauty, protecting and enhancing significant historical and archaeological sites, enhancing public access for outdoor recreation and preserve traditional uses such as hunting, fishing, and other types of outdoor recreation and encouraging cooperation and innovative partnerships among landowners, state agencies, municipalities, and non-profit organizations.

The Leadership Award was given out at the Conservation Voters’ Green Tie Luncheon, an event in Columbia to raise money for environmental protection. Sen. Campsen knows that protecting the environment is key for everyone as it’s the key to South Carolina’s economic prosperity.

In 2003, the SC Department of Natural Resources created the John W. Drummond Conservationist Award to honor “individuals and organizations who have made enormous contributions toward the conservation, protection and preservation of South Carolina’s natural resources.” The award has only been presented twice before last week, to State Senators John Drummond and Greg Gregory.

In presenting the award to Senator Campsen, DNR Director John Frampton stated, “Chip is an avid outdoorsman and a dedicated conservationist. He is known in the state General Assembly as a leading advocate for South Carolina’s fish, wildlife and natural resources. It’s an honor for DNR to recognize Senator Campsen for his many contributions toward the conservation, protection and preservation of South Carolina’s wildlife habitat and natural treasures.”

Sen. Campsen is a resident of the Isle of Palms and represents Senate District 43 in the General Assembly.

Click here for high-resolution pictures of Senator Campsen being presented the two awards.