Workshops
& Trainings
Our Approach
The Nature-Based Exchange began with an idea: to bring together a variety of local partners to discuss and develop natural and nature-based solutions (NNBS) in South Carolina.
The Exchange began with a year-long series of practical and outcome-based workshops that occurred from May 2022 through May 2023. These seven workshops sought to educate partners on a variety of NNBS-related topics (including communication, planning, funding, equity, and design) while also identifying local needs, opportunities, and barriers.
The workshop series led to the creation of the Nature-Based Exchange Compendium: a collection of notes, recommendations, and products specifically focused on NNBS in South Carolina.
After the workshop series ended, partners expressed the need for more detailed and specific guidance on NNBS-related topics, leading to the creation of bi-annual trainings that began in April 2024.
Today, the Exchange continues to host day-long trainings to advance NNBS knowledge and implementation in South Carolina. Reoccurring trainings allow partners across the state to access the material while new trainings are being added to fill content gaps.
Keep scrolling to learn more about upcoming trainings and to view content covered in the workshop series.
Trainings
April 2024 - Present
After hosting seven workshops from May 2022 through May 2023, the Nature-Based Exchange realized there was an opportunity to dive deeper into specific topics that would benefit nature-based professionals in South Carolina. To accomplish this need, the Nature-Based Exchange will host two new trainings a year for the next several years (funding dependent) to provide educational opportunities for individuals working with nature-based solutions. Initial topics were selected by a group of Think Tank participants in November 2023.
Trainings
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Previously held on April 25, 2024 in Lake City, SC.
This training will be offered again in Fall 2025.
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Previously held on
November 7, 2024 in Charleston, SC
February 10, 2025 in Okatie, SC
March 19, 2025 in Georgetown, SC
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Urban Stormwater Management Using NNBS (planned for Spring 2026)
Ecology & Land Use Planning
Risk Reduction
Risk Management
Upcoming Trainings
Training 2: Local Policy & Ordinances for Nature-Based Solutions
March 19, 2025 in Georgetown, SC (registration open now through March 7th)
Workshop Series
May 2022 - May 2023
There is often a gap between conceptualizing ideas for natural and nature-based solutions (NNBS) and developing practical and solution-oriented plans using them. To close this gap, The Nature Conservancy, Clemson’s Resilient Urban Design Program, and the City of Charleston conducted a series of practical and outcome-based workshops to bring together a variety of local partners to discuss and develop NNBS.
Goal: Synthesize existing knowledge and information on NNBS, align it with opportunities and barriers within the state of South Carolina, and create practical and equitable steps for implementation.
Outcomes:
Natural and nature-based solutions become recognized throughout the state as practical and effective tools to address resilience issues.
Impediments and barriers to natural and nature-based solutions are recognized and pragmatic pathways to overcome these barriers are identified and initiated.
State and local jurisdictions employ more natural and nature-based solutions, alone or in tandem with gray infrastructure.
Products: The Nature-Based Exchange Compendium was created out of the workshop series.
Related Events:
To celebrate the end of the workshop series and the release of the Nature-Based Exchange Compendium, a Compendium Celebration event was held in November 2023.
Participants in the workshop series shared the need for ongoing, specific trainings that further address nature-based solutions. From this feedback, the Nature-Based Exchange Trainings were formed.
More information on each workshop, including key takeaways, resources, and presentations, can be found in the links to the right.