SCDES Opens Nominations for Community Star Award

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Published February 2nd, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has opened nominations for its annual Community Star Award, recognizing environmental stewardship. The nomination period runs from February 2, 2026, to February 28, 2026.

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What changed

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has announced the opening of nominations for its annual Community Star Award. This award aims to recognize individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations that demonstrate significant positive impacts on the natural environment within their communities through sustainability practices, environmental awareness, or resource preservation. Nominees must be in compliance with any SCDES-issued permits and have no recent violations or enforcement actions.

Regulated entities and individuals interested in participating must submit their nominations via the SCDES website by 5 p.m. on February 28, 2026. The award recipient will be recognized by the SCDES and highlighted in statewide communications. This notice serves as an informational announcement regarding the nomination process and does not impose new regulatory obligations.

What to do next

Submit nominations for the Community Star Award by February 28, 2026, if applicable.
Ensure compliance with SCDES permits and avoid recent deficiencies or violations if seeking nomination or if an organization is being nominated.

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SCDES Opens Nominations for Community Star Award to Recognize Environmental Stewardship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 2, 2026

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is now accepting nominations for its annual Community Star Award, which recognizes those who make a positive difference in their communities through environmental stewardship, sustainability and resilience. From grassroots initiatives to innovative local solutions, Community Stars exemplify how everyday actions can lead to far-reaching environmental and community impacts.

The nomination period opens today, Feb. 2, and closes Saturday, Feb. 28. Anyone may submit a nomination, and self-nominations are encouraged. Eligible nominees include any person or group whose work positively affects the natural environment within their community through sustainability practices, environmental awareness or the preservation of natural resources.

“Through our Community Star program, we’re proud to recognize the people, businesses and organizations that demonstrate the value of environmental stewardship and take it upon themselves to improve the air, land, water or coastal resources within their communities,” said Myra Reece, SCDES Director. “The actions of our Community Stars benefit their neighbors and our state.”

A selection committee comprised of SCDES environmental experts and agency leaders will review nominations and select a Community Star honoree using a weighted scoring process. Nominees who hold an agency-issued permit must be in compliance with their permit and must have no recent deficiencies, violations or enforcement actions.

The 2026 Community Star recipient will be recognized during an SCDES award presentation, highlighted in a statewide news release and promoted across SCDES’s social media platforms.

To submit a nomination, complete the Community Star Award nomination form available at des.sc.gov/CommunityStar by 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.

For more information about the SCDES Community Star Award, contact Lesley Jones, Director of Strategic Outreach, at 803-497-6299 or lesley.jones@des.sc.gov.

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