Sixth annual expedition winding its way through the Midlands this week
By W. Thomas Smith Jr.
A hand-picked team from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) joined Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Michelle McCollum, president of the S.C. National Heritage Corridor, and other VIPs for the northeast Columbia stretch of the South Carolina 7 (SC7) Expedition, July 14.
The popular annual monthlong education and exploratory expedition from the mountains of South Carolina to the sea, SC7 passed through central S.C., Sunday through Tuesday, July 13-15, with a leg of the journey winding its way through Sesquicentennial “Sesqui” State Park on Monday morning.
Joining Mullikin, McCollum, and the RCSD deputy sheriffs carrying the RCSD flag on the Sesqui trail were Blue Cross Blue Shield of S.C. Vice Pres. Mike Harris; Duane Parrish, director of the S.C. Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT); and Dr. Susan Johnson, founder and CEO of Nature at Work.
Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie drove up from the Lowcountry to participate on Monday. And on Tuesday morning, S.C. Senator Russell Ott and S.C. Senate President Thomas Alexander joined the SC7 Expedition to hike and help celebrate Mullikin’s 65th birthday on a scenic albeit warm stretch of the Congaree National Park, the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the U.S.
“The kind of enthusiastic participation we’re experiencing so far this year, as in previous years, speaks to the level of passion South Carolinians have for their [our] state,” said Dr. Mullikin, himself a world-renowned global expedition leader who has led SCDNR since February. “We’re accomplishing tremendous things out here in terms of creating greater awareness of the Palmetto State’s rich natural resources and the importance of conserving and protecting our wilderness areas, woodlands and wetlands. We’re doing this for all South Carolinians and for generations to come.”
McCollum says SC7 brings everyone together for what’s commonly held by all. “This year’s expedition has thus far brought together new faces from corporations, nonprofits, elected officials, even kids,” said McCollum. “More than ever, we feel we are helping South Carolinians discover the beauty and wonder of their own state.”
Cheyenne Twilley, SCDNR’s director of Public Information, agrees.
“Our partnership with SC7 gives SCDNR staff the opportunity to meet people where the conservation happens—out in the field,” said Twilley following the July 15 hike through the deeply wooded Congaree. “It’s a chance to connect, listen, and share why these places matter, and how we can all play a part in protecting the South Carolina we love.
SC7 is an original partnership between the Mullikin-founded Global Eco Adventures (GEA) and McCollum’s S.C. National Heritage Corridor. Dr. Mullikin’s son, Thomas Mullikin Jr., today serves as president of GEA. And the Mullikin-directed SCDNR partnered with SC7 this year.
The seven designated geographic wonders of South Carolina, hence “SC7,” include Sassafras Mountain; the Jocassee Gorges; the Chattooga River; the Congaree National Forest; the Edisto River; the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Basin (universally referred to as the ACE Basin); and Bull Island-Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge: “Each one a unique geographical treasure,” according to Dr. Mullikin.
– For more information about SC7, please visit https://www.southcarolina7.com/.
– For additional information about SCDNR, visit https://www.dnr.sc.gov/.