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Your leader in protecting, growing, and enjoying South Carolina.

For more than 25 years, the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor has been a trusted compass for South Carolina, providing leadership and direction to communities seeking to preserve, protect, and promote their best assets while guiding visitors to the most unique and special places in the state.

By actively engaging with visitors and residents, gleaning knowledge from that engagement to build strategic partnerships with communities that not only benefit them but the state as a whole, and finally, investing dollars in meaningful ways that will have the biggest impact, we ground our direction in the past, celebrate the present, and lead communities into the future, helping South Carolina thrive from the mountains to the sea.

Who We Are

We are committed to promoting and preserving the cultural, natural and historic resources of South Carolina

Founded in 1996, the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC) is a nonprofit organization and one of 55 congressionally designated National Heritage Areas (NHA) of the National Park Service (NPS) — recognizing the national importance of South Carolina’s natural, cultural, and historic resources. NPS partners with NHAs to provide technical assistance and distribute matching federal funds from Congress.

Spanning 17 counties from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, SCNHC is committed to preserving, protecting and promoting the history and heritage of South Carolina through its competitive grant program, which has awarded over $15 million in funds to tourism projects across the state.

SCNHC’s support reaches far beyond its designated areas to cover all of South Carolina through its community development services. From community and business branding to design and marketing strategies, SCNHC helps cities and local businesses across the state promote themselves and encourage tourism.

In addition to its grant projects and community development services, SCNHC manages several key programs including The Southern Edge Magazine, Paddle SC, South Carolina Seven (SC7), and the Carolina Barbados Connection Project.

Programs

Our partnerships and programs are building a better South Carolina.

The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor has spearheaded a number of successful programs that focus on education, research and promoting South Carolina.

Learn more about our programs

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South Carolina Seven (SC7)

South Carolina Seven is a partnership between Global Eco Adventures and the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. Its mission is to get people outdoors so they gain an appreciation for the state’s natural resources and do their part to protect them.

The Southern Edge Magazine

Founded by the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, The Southern Edge is a magazine created to celebrate the people and places of the South.

Paddle SC

Paddle SC is a statewide partnership working to promote kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and other paddle recreation opportunities throughout South Carolina.

The Carolina Barbados Connection Project

The Barbados & the Carolinas Legacy Foundation and the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor partnered on a mission to raise awareness of the historic connection that binds South Carolina and Barbados.

Our Impact

We are making South Carolina a better place to live, visit and explore.

From historic preservation to community development, program management and everything in between, our skills work together to build a better South Carolina. We are innovative in finding ways to preserve our state’s cultural, natural and historic resources.

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15

Awarded more than $15 million to various tourism projects across the state

47

Number of non-heritage corridor communities helped

67

Number of waterways documented

25

Number of places in South Carolina tied to Barbados

5,840

Number of participants in SC7 over 3 years

16

Issues of Southern Edge Magazine printed over 4 years

Partnerships

We can guide you to a brighter path forward.

You care about the small towns, the environment and are looking to leave a legacy behind. So are we. Together we can enrich local communities while building your presence within the community. The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor has programs and initiatives that we can match you with. With our help, you have the ability to reach a large audience and assurance that your investment will enhance the quality of life in specific communities across South Carolina.

Learn about partner opportunities
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Champions of South Carolina

Introducing the Blue & Green Minds Podcast — Your Window into Resilience, Nature, and Well-Being

At the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC), we’re excited to introduce the Blue & Green Minds Podcast, an audio series inspired by the SC Resilience Conference that explores resilience, well-being, conservation, and community connection. Released every other Thursday, the podcast features conversations with leaders shaping South Carolina’s future — including Dr. Susan Johnson of Nature at Work, who shares the science behind how time in nature improves focus and mental health, and Dr. Tom Mullikin, Director of SCDNR and SC7 Expedition leader, who discusses conservation, stewardship, and the power of connecting to place. From its inaugural episode introducing the theme to deeper dives into how nature strengthens individuals and communities, Blue & Green Minds invites listeners to reflect, learn, and engage with ideas that support a more resilient South Carolina — whether you’re preparing for the SC Resilience Conference or simply looking for inspiration in your daily life.

Tune in to the Blue and Green Minds Podcast today.

2026 SC Resilience Conference Come to Florence SC This April

The 2026 SC Resilience Conference, happening April 19–22 in Florence, SC, will bring together leaders and innovators from across the state under the theme “Blue & Green Minds,” exploring how connections between people and the natural world strengthen resilience. Featuring sessions on community planning, conservation, and health-focused sustainability — with speakers including Dr. Gary Gray, Dr. Tom Mullikin, and more — the conference offers practical tools and forward-thinking strategies for building stronger communities.

SCNHC Supports the Scanlonville Praise House Parklet Project

The Scanlonville Praise House Parklet will serve as a meaningful tribute to one of Mount Pleasant’s oldest African American communities, and the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC) is proud to support bringing this vision to life. Located in the historic Scanlonville community, the parklet will honor the cultural and spiritual significance of praise houses in Gullah Geechee history — spaces rooted in faith, resilience, and connection. As part of its mission to preserve, promote, and protect South Carolina’s cultural heritage, SCNHC is supporting the development of this interpretive space to ensure the community’s stories are honored and shared with future generations. Through educational elements, thoughtful design, and partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant and local stakeholders, the project will preserve a strong sense of place while creating a space for reflection, remembrance, and learning. SCNHC remains committed to uplifting historic communities and safeguarding the stories that define our state.