The 2026 SC Resilience Conference is here — and it’s shaping up to be the must-attend event for leaders, innovators, and resilience champions across South Carolina and beyond. Taking place April 19–22, 2026, in Florence, SC, this year’s theme — “Blue & Green Minds” — explores how connections between people, communities, and the natural world strengthen resilience in every sector.
What You’ll Experience
This multi-day conference features a diverse and engaging lineup of sessions across three core tracks:
Resilience & Community Planning — Learn from leaders like Aaron Bowman, AIA, who explores how resilient architecture and thoughtful design can reduce risk while enhancing community identity and long-term sustainability. Sessions highlight actionable strategies that bridge planning, engineering, and design to create stronger, more resilient places.
Environmental & Ecological Conservation — Explore sustainable ecosystem management and habitat protection with experts such as Amber Kuehn, Executive Director of Sea Turtle Patrol, and Clemson Cooperative Extension leaders Susan Lunt and Patricia Whitener, who focus on resilient outdoor and land management practices.
Health, Innovation & Sustainability Practices — Discover how wellness, science, and sustainability intersect through sessions with Dr. Susan Johnson, Founder of Nature at Work, Brian Thill of the South Carolina Aquarium discussing “Blue Mind” experiences, and Jana Davis, Registered Dietitian, sharing strategies for improved energy and productivity.
Speakers & Keynotes
The conference brings together an impressive roster of keynote speakers and session leaders, including:
- Dr. Gary Gray, globally recognized expert in human movement science
- Dr. Tom Mullikin, Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and longtime conservation leader
Alongside these featured speakers, professionals from planning, engineering, environmental science, public health, design, and conservation will provide practical tools and forward-thinking strategies for building stronger communities.
Blue and Green Minds Podcast
Want to get involved before the conference or learn more about the speakers you’ll hear from in April? Start with the Blue & Green Minds Podcast.
Our podcast offers deeper conversations with many of the leaders, innovators, and practitioners shaping resilience across South Carolina. New episodes drop every other Thursday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio — making it easy to engage with the ideas, strategies, and stories driving real impact long before you arrive in Florence.
Whether you’re focused on community planning, conservation, public health, or sustainable innovation, the 2026 SC Resilience Conference provides meaningful connections, actionable insights, and the inspiration to strengthen communities across the Palmetto State.
Visit the conference website to learn more, explore the speaker lineup, and register.
