Investing in Wild Places: Discussing Land Protection with Katy McWilliams and Dr. David Bishop of The Nature Conservancy
On this episode, we welcome two of The Nature Conservancy's leaders in South Carolina land protection: Katy McWilliams, the director of land protection, and Dr. David Bishop, senior project director. Together, Katy and David explain how The Nature Conservancy (and partners) are investing in land protection across the state to protect South Carolina's wild places through land purchases and conservation easements. As Katy and David explain their process of identifying, protecting, restoring, and maintaining these unique spaces, we are reminded that land protection isn't just about promoting biodiversity or maintaining wildlife corridors, it's also about us - how the preservation of these lands leaves behind a legacy of clean water, fresh air, and open spaces for current and future generations to enjoy.
Learn more:
Explore more of South Carolina’s protected lands on The Nature Conservancy’s Land Protection Dashboard.
Visit the South Carolina Heritage Trust to discover a heritage preserve near you.
Conversing with Nature is hosted by Dr. Liz Fly, edited by Nicole Pehl, and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Original music provided by Matt Williams, cover art designed by Amy Nguyen, and funding provided by the Therblig Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.
Published: February 6, 2026
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music