The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University

Systems thinkers and leaders are emerging in our Sustainability Leadership Initiative class! By thinking in systems, visiting Gunter Farms and hearing from Norris Thigpen, Antron Williams and Robert Ethridge, we all gained valuable perspective on what it takes to feed a growing population on a finite planet. On day one, important questions emerged around food access, growth and land use pressures, supply, distribution, regenerative agriculture practices (our group can now talk “no till” and “cover crops”) and the economics of the modern farm. The path forward will require adaptive learning from farm to consumer, careful attention to scale and supply chains, and the wise use of technology, among others. On day two, we moved into environmental, social and governance (ESG) with the help of Rick Crawford and Susan Johnson. Rick provided a starting point –an ESG crosswalk – to help those new to ESG begin assessing and collecting metrics that will support future reporting. Susan reminded us that corporate sustainability must be human-centered. It is nothing less than the long-term well-being (and productivity) of individuals and communities at stake! Finally, Furman's Center for Innovative leadership brought our SLI Fellows back to their own sustainability challenges, using the “the five whys” to help them dig deeper so that they can be effective in communicating the important work ahead. SLI Fellows, what were your takeaways/favorite moments from last week’s session? #sustainability #esg #sustainabilityleadership #supplychains #agriculture #farms #leadership #sc #growth #furman

This week’s #FellowFriday highlights Christiane Farrell, Assistant Town Administrator for the Town of Mount Pleasant where she assists with the general management of the town, and is involved in the development, implementation and oversight of the town’s strategic plan. Christiane’s experience in local government?planning, development and administration spans 25 years. ? ? Sharing about the second SLI session in Charleston, she said, “This session provided us with the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of Bulls Island and to hear from members of the Ten Mile community who are making great efforts to protect and preserve their land and way of life. Both underscored the interconnectedness between people and the natural environment and direct relationships between the health and wellbeing of each.” She went on to say, “My personal takeaway from the session is that through preservation and protection of our natural assets, we also protect and promote the wellbeing of people, communities, and cultures.” ? ? SLI is a program run in partnership between Sustain SC and the The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University.

This week’s #FellowFriday highlights Frank Murray, VP of Planning and Engineering at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) where he is focused on aligning the capabilities of the airport with the needs of the region. In his role, Frank is driving CAE to become one of the most sustainable airports in the U.S. while also increasing the airport’s impact as an economic engine for the Midlands of South Carolina? ? Speaking about the recent SLI session in Charleston, Frank said?“I thought the second session did a great job of exposing the group to the bigger picture of conservation and sustainability in South Carolina. From the untouched nature preserves of the coastline that contribute to South Carolina’s uniqueness, to the various locations across the state where leaders must balance economic growth with an impact on the natural environment, but also its impact on the established urban and rural communities.” ? ? SLI is a program run in partnership between Sustain SC and the The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University.?

Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, SBP and The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University hosted a Regional Resilience Forum this week, bringing together planners, resilience officers and key stakeholders from across the region to discuss ongoing and future resilience efforts. SBP and the Shi Institute shared valuable resilience resources, while attendees provided updates on their jurisdiction’s resilience initiatives. BCDCOG recapped past efforts for a regional resilience water plan and explored potential collaboration with the S.C. Office of Resilience on watershed-scale planning. SCOR’s Watershed Planning Team introduced the Santee Watershed planning process and gathered feedback from attendees. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important conversation. Collaboration is key to building a more resilient region! #furman #furmanalumni #resilience #teamwork #collaboration #sc #planning

Protecting South Carolina's Farmland: In collaboration with Furman sociologist Dr. Ken Kolb, the Shi Institute’s Applied Research Team (Mike Winiski, Jack Buehner & Zury Marroquin) adapted an urban gentrification model to identify and analyze market pressures on rural farmland.?We developed a GIS-based tool?that helps practitioners assess changes in rural housing markets over time, providing valuable insights into areas most at risk of displacement and development. As our state grows at a rapid pace, this type of research is critical in the effort to maintain some rural working lands in our state. These lands may be important to sustainability in our state because working lands can provide some economic benefit while also helping protect natural resources. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/edWWB6mA

This week’s #FellowFriday highlights Erica Call, Head of Sustainability Consulting and Energy Services for Siemens where she leads a team focused on optimizing energy costs and advancing sustainability initiatives for her clients. ? ? When asked to share about her SLI experience so far, she said, “This program is not only fostering meaningful discussions about sustainability, but also empowering leaders across industries to collaborate and drive impactful change. Being part of a community of experts from diverse sectors has been an incredible opportunity to explore holistic approaches to sustainability. Together, we’re addressing environmental, social and economic challenges to build a more sustainable and resilient South Carolina.” ? ? SLI is a program run in partnership between Sustain SC and the The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University.

Last chance to sign up for this Saturday's gardening workshop with Furman Farm Manager Bruce Adams and Student Assistant Farm Manager Summer Marsden '25! The dynamic duo appeared on Access Carolina with Margaret Burnquist earlier today to talk about their work. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/e8CDesAs Sign up for Saturday's composting workshop here on EventBrite: https://lnkd.in/eiKSDRZs

This week’s #FellowFriday highlights Cassandra LaValley,?Assistant Director of Sustain Coastal at?Coastal Carolina University. ? ? Throughout her career, Cassie has focused on promoting sustainable living, environmental policy and education, sustainable operations and renewable energy solutions.??? ? When asked to reflect on the second SLI session, she said, “It was not only transformative, but also restorative. This session served as a reminder that being a sustainability leader requires both introspection and extrospection to ensure we're taking care of ourselves and our workers, while being good stewards of our environment and communities.” ? ? SLI is a program run in partnership between Sustain SC and the The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University.

We're excited to host this year's Sustainability Summit at Furman University. Please join us for this important conversation on Wednesday, March 26!

This week’s #FellowFriday highlights Benjamin Moore, Founder and CEO of Bubble Paper, a pioneering packaging company based in Greenville, South Carolina. Under Benjamin's leadership, Bubble Paper has developed innovative processes that turn paper into thermally and mechanically protective packaging, revolutionizing industries such as cold chain and industrial shipping. His commitment to sustainability is at the core of Bubble Paper’s mission to provide alternative solutions to traditional packaging materials. When asked to share his perspective on his SLI experience so far, he said, “I am thrilled to be part of the SLI 2025 Class. The first session was great. I was able to sit down with other like-minded leaders who are committed to advancing sustainability and hear their stories and goals.” he added, “I’m eager to contribute my experience in packaging innovation and gain new perspectives to drive meaningful change for a more responsible future.” SLI is a program run in partnership between Sustain SC and the The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University.