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Green Step Mentors

Guiding schools through successful, meaningful, and sustainable projects since 2003.

Mentors

Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds and professions, showing just how broad the field of environmental education can be. Our mentors include 4-H leaders, classroom teachers, master gardeners, naturalists, conservation district staff, entomologists, water resource agents, park rangers, climate scientists, state employees, college professors, and dedicated volunteers—all united by a shared commitment to bringing sustainability into your classroom.

To find a mentor, select your county below. If there isn't a mentor specific to your county (YET!),
our statewide and regional mentors are open to schools in all or multiple counties. 

Statewide Mentors

Esther Wagner
ewagner@palmettopride.org

PalmettoPride
Education Program Manager

Ari Hippensteal
hippensteala@dnr.sc.gov

SC Dept. of Natural Resources
Conservation Educator

Melissa Griffin
griffinm@dnr.sc.gov

SC Dept. of Natural Resources
CoCoRaHS
Assistant State Climatologist

Morgan Treon
morgan.treon@scseagrant.org

SC Sea Grant Consortium
Seeds to Shoreline
Marine Education Specialist

 

Erin Rosebrock 
erin.rosebrock@des.sc.gov

SC Dept. of Environmental Services
Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator

Lexi Toole
alexandra.thomason@des.sc.gov

SC Dept. of Environmental Services
Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator

Jaclin DuRant
jaclin.durant@des.sc.gov

SC Dept. of Environmental Services
Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator

Beata DeWitt
beata.dewitt@des.sc.gov

SC Dept. of Environmental Services
Bureau of Air Quality
Environmental Health Manager

Beth Foley
foleye@dnr.sc.gov

SC Dept. Natural Resources
Conservation Education Coordinator

Regional Mentors

Mary Rhett Davidson
davidsonmr@dnr.sc.gov

SC Dept. of Natural Resources
Trout in the Classroom
Aquatic Education Coordinator
(Anderson, Lexington, Oconee, Pickens, and Richland)

Sydni Wilson
swilson@kmbsc.org

Keep the Midlands Beautiful
Program Coordinator
(Lexington and Richland)

Maeve Snyder
snailseednativeplants@gmail.com

SC Native Plant Society
Member
(Lowcountry)

Rick Huffman
rick_huffman@earthdesignssc.com

SC Native Plant Society
Member
(Upstate)

Jay Keck
jay@scwf.org

SC Wildlife Federation
Industry Habitat Manager
(Richland and Lexington)

 

Ben Sease
bsease@ed.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Education
Farm to School
Program Coordinator
(Calhoun and Lexington)

Leslie Wilson
lwilson@scfc.gov
SC Forestry Commission
Asst. Environmental Education Coordinator
(Calhoun, Lexington, and Richland)

David Jenkins
djenkins@scfc.gov
SC Forestry Commission
Entomologist
(Calhoun, Lexington, and Richland)

Savannah Jordan
savannah@scwf.org

SC Wildlife Federation
Habitat Education Manager
(Richland and Lexington)

Abbeville County Mentors

Lucy Charping
lucyw@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

 

Kaitlyn Rhodes
kaitlyn.rhodes@delahowe.sc.gov

SC Governor's School for Agriculture
Teacher

Aiken County Mentors

Brianna Bailey
bbailey@aikencountysc.gov
Aiken County Stormwater
Engineering Technician

Holly DeVault
holly.devault@uga.edu
Savannah River Ecology Lab
Outreach Coordinator

Sonya Terry
aikensoilandwater@gmail.com

Aiken Soil and Water Conservation
District Manager

 

Kandace Cave
kcave@aikencountysc.gov
Keep Aiken County Beautiful
Program Coordinator

Kelly Schepens
kellys@usca.edu
Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
Director of Student Programs

Anderson County Mentors

AnnMarie Pauley
annmarie.pauley@andersonswcd.org

Anderson Soil and Water Conservation
Education and Outreach Coordinator

 

Steven O'Shields
oshiel3@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension
Water Resources Agent

Beaufort County Mentors

Taylor Brewer
taylor.brewer@bcgov.net
Beaufort County Government
Stormwater Program Manager

Michelle Onoff
michelle.bswcd@gmail.com

Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation
Education Specialist

Sara O'Conner
sarae.bswcd@gmail.com

Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation
Education Specialist

      

Valentina Palacio-Ruiz
laura.palacioruiz@bcgov.net

Beaufort County Government
Environmental Education Coordinator

Debby Way
jway_25@hotmail.com
Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation
Education Specialist

Leslie Meola
bftswcd@gmail.com

Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation
District Manager

Calhoun County Mentors

Mary Dixon
mdixon@calhouncounty.sc.gov

Calhoun Soil and Water Conservation
District Coordinator

 

Charleston County Mentors

E.V. Bell 
elizabeth.bell@scseagrant.org

SC Sea Grant Consortium
Education and Outreach Manager

 

Darlington County Mentors

Geraldine Cuypers
gcuyper@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension
Water Resources Agent

 

Dani Chaplan
marie.chaplin@sc.nacdnet.net
Darlington Soil and Water Conservation
Administrative Assistant

Dorchester County Mentors

Tammi McAlhany
tammi@mcalhany@usda.gov

Dorchester Soil and Water Conservation
Office Coordinator

    

Florence County Mentors

Allison Anderson
alison@keepflorencebeautiful.org

Keep Florence Beautiful
Volunteer & Education Coordinator

    

Geraldine Cuypers
gcuyper@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension
Water Resources Agent

Greenwood County Mentors

Amber Nappier
anappier@greenwoodsc.gov

Greenwood County Government
Litter Prevention Coordinator

   

Greenville County Mentors

Samantha Hart
samanatha@conesteepreserve.org

Conestee Nature Preserve
Environmental Educator

Summer Gagnon
sgagnon@greenvillecounty.org
Greenville County
Litter Prevention Coordinator

Mary Lou Jones 
mjones4498@gmail.com

Greenville Council of Garden Clubs
Volunteer

   

Jackie Hong
hosyemooi@hotmail.com
Taylors Elementary
Volunteer

Kendall Juell
kjuell@greenvillecounty.org
Greenville Soil and Water Conservation
Stormwater Programs Coordinator

Andrew Talkish
atalkish@greenvillecounty.org

Greenville County
Sustainability Program Manager

Horry County Mentors

Mike Walker
mwalker@scprt.com

Huntington Beach State Park
Interpretive Ranger

 

Kendra Dickerson
kdickerson@solidwasteauthority.org

Horry County Solid Waste Authority
Recycling Coordinator

Kershaw County Mentors

Ashley Branham
aebranh@clemson.edu

Nature as Teacher
Interim Program Coordinator

 

Keith Willoughby
director@eeasc.org

EEASC
Executive Director

Laurens County Mentors

Tanya Towne
ttowne@laurens55.org

Joe Adair Outdoor Education Center
Director

 

Courtney Stonell
cstonell@laurenscounty.org
Keep Laurens County Beautiful
Affiliate Director

Lexington County Mentors

Kassidy Roof
krooflswcd@gmail.com
Lexington Soil and Water Conservation
District Manager

Teresa Randolph
teamlandolph@gmail.com

Team Landolph
Executive Director

   

Kate Resinski
kresinski@lexingtoncountysc.gov

Lexington County
Stormwater Outreach Assistant

Newberry County Mentors

Mallory Jane Fulmer
mjpitts@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

Ginny Holt
ginny.holt395@gmail.com
Master Gardener & Naturalist
Volunteer

   

Crista Lukoski
newberrysoil&water@gmail.com

Newberry Soil and Water Conservation
District Coordinator

Oconee County Mentors

Lil Ledford
ledfor7@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

   

Cheryl Murphy
cvmurphy35@gmail.com

Master Gardener
Volunteer

Orangeburg County Mentors

Diane Curlee
dcurlee@orangeburgcounty.org

Orangeburg Soil and Water Conservation
Education Coordinator

   

Richland County Mentors

Jessica Thompson
thompson.jessica@richlandcountysc.gov

Richland County Government
Conservation Education Analyst

Rosemary Martin-Jones
rosema2@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

   

Leonora Dillon
leonora.dillon@columbiasc.gov
Columbia Water
Communications Coordinator

Jennifer Mancke
jenmanckeearthed@gmail.com

Richland Soil and Water Conservation
Green Steps Mentor

Spartanburg County Mentors

Amanda Karls
akarls@uscupstate.edu

USC Upstate
Director of Institutional Excellence &
Compliance

   

John Ratterree
ratterrj@uscupstate.edu

USC Upstate Watershed Ecology Center
Operations Coordinator

Sumter County Mentors

Cassie Castleberry
castleb@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension
Water Resources Agent

Cathy Perry
greengirlteach@gmail.com

Volunteer

   

Anna Makiewicz
sumterswcd@gmail.com

Sumter Soil and Water Conservation
District Director

York County Mentors

Kristin Kunde
kkunde@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

Caroline Adams
yorkswcoordinator@gmail.com

York Soil and Water Conservation
District Coordinator

   

Abigail Taylor
atayl27@clemson.edu

Clemson Extension
Urban Horticulture Agent

Two educators studying the contents of a soil sample.

Why become a mentor

  • Support the next generation: Help students and teachers develop real-world environmental projects that make a lasting impact in their schools and communities.
  • Share your expertise: Use your environmental knowledge and experience to guide schools through meaningful, hands-on learning.
  • Build professional connections: Network with other educators, mentors, and environmental leaders across South Carolina.
  • Inspire change: Play a direct role in fostering environmental awareness and stewardship among young learners.
  • Gain recognition: Be celebrated as a Green Step Mentor at statewide events and showcase your contributions to environmental education.

How to become a mentor:

  • Learn about the program: Review the Green Steps pages to understand the program’s goals, process, and project examples.
  • Update your profile: Email the program coordinator a recent photo and any updates for your mentor profile so schools can easily contact you.
  • Get trained: Attend a Green Steps Train & Update session, either in person or online, to stay current on program expectations and resources.
  • Connect with your school team: Meet with your assigned school in the fall to help them design meaningful, realistic, and eco-friendly projects that fit their goals and community.
  • Confirm your role: Submit the form to the program coordinator, listing the schools and projects you’re supporting.
  • Offer guidance year-round: Serve as a resource, advisor, and encourager as your schools work through their projects.
  • Help document progress: Ask schools for photos or videos with captions showing students learning (from an adult), doing (applying knowledge), and teaching (sharing what they learned).
  • Evaluate in the spring: Meet again with your school to review and discuss the project’s progress and outcomes.
  • Assess projects: Judge each project using the Green Step criteria—significance, model quality, establishment, sustainability, and documentation.
  • Submit evaluations: Complete and email the Green Step Schools Evaluation Form by May 1, including all projects you mentored.
  • Celebrate success: Attend a state workshop or regional kickoff event to receive your award and connect with other mentors and schools.

Timeline

  • Summer/Fall: Do your research, connect with a school, choose a project, and get started! Contact gss@eeasc.org to gain access to the necessary forms.
  • January 31: Collaborate with school teacher to complete top portion and first four columns of the Green Step Evaluation Form; mentors submit form.
  • April 25: Visit your school for your teacher to present their project success before April 25 for their final critiques.
  • May 1: Mentors submit final and completed Green Step Evaluation Form. All due dates are firm to ensure the success of your project.
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