CONTACT US
Contact us to help your National Wildlife Refuges and National Forest!
If you would like to find out more about us, email us:
| Executive Director: | |||
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| Educator: | Email: | Address: | SEWEE Association P.O. Box 1131 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465-1131
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Board of Directors:
Chris Crolley, President
Sarah Hartman, Vice-President
Diane Krishon, Secretary
William Jarrard, Treasurer
Members at Large:
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Grace Gasper, Acting Executive Director
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Grace Gasper brings 14 years of experience in conservation and the non- profit sector to the SEWEE Association. Through her years of experience she has gained a thorough understanding of the challenges of non-profit management and development. She served as director of the medical clinic for The Avian Conservation Center for 11 years. She currently works as a biologist on a variety of avian research projects across the country. She has been involved in Swallow-tailed kite research in South Carolina for over a decade, including conducting kite research on Waccamaw National Wildlife refuge, and the Francis Marion National Forest. She has been recognized by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for her efforts on behalf of conservation in South Carolina. She enjoys living in Awendaw, SC, adjacent to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.
"Being part of the SEWEE Association is exciting to me because the impacts of the Association’s work are immediate and significant. Because of the SEWEE Association over 14,000 children a year learn about, and gain appreciation for, our natural resources. Research critical to conservation efforts on our refuges and the national forest happens because of the Association’s support. It’s grass-roots conservation at its best!"
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Allie Kreutzer, Educator
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After graduating with a B.S. in biology from University of Kentucky, Allie moved to Charleston because of a lifelong desire to live near the marsh, ocean, and beach. She completed her Master’s degree in marine biology at College of Charleston with a thesis on alternative methods of oyster restoration. After graduate school she continued working with the Department of Natural Resources’ SCORE (South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement) Program as a biologist and educator. It was in this position she developed an interest and enthusiasm for environmental education. Allie began working at the SEWEE Center in September of 2012 and is enjoying teaching students to explore and appreciate the unique ecosystems of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and Francis Marion National Forest. "From the time I was little I can remember being innately curious about everything outside… Working for the SEWEE Association affords me the opportunity to try and instill that curiosity in students who may not come by it so naturally."
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Chris Crolley, President
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Chris is currently the owner/operator of Coastal Expeditions. He has been serving the mission of "environmental stewardship through immersion" at Coastal Expeditions since 1994. This mission also includes the Bulls Island Ferry service as Contractor for Visitors Services in CRNWR. Chris has had the opportunity to work as a naturalist interpreter and Master Captain on the east coast of North America from Newfoundland to the Exumas for groups including Lindblad Tours, REI Adventures, and National Geographic. He is a kayak instructor specializing in surf zone navigation and rough water group rescues. Chris is an environmental program and itinerary writer with a focus on youth groups and multi-day primitive adventures; programs include:The Bulls Island Overnight Adventure, Island Quest Program, REI Capers Island Adventure, and Young Naturalist Kayak Adventure Camp.Chris is a South Carolina native and lives with his son Graham on the edge of Cape Romain NWR in Awendaw.
“I believe in Mother Nature as the master teacher. I believe in observation and curiosity. I believe in the collective unconscious. The more I learn the more I understand I need to know. I have given up on becoming an expert. I am content to remain a student. Oh yea, I also believe in miracles.”
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Sarah Hartman, Vice-President
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Sarah is presently the director of conservation for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina. She has worked there for over 15 years and is involved in marine, freshwater, and forest conservation across the state, with an emphasis on land protection, funding, and creating resilient landscapes.Her work involves private landowners, universities, public agencies, municipalities, and elected officials. Sarah brings to the board skills in building partnerships, management, non-profit fundraising, and lobbying. She is a liaison for the Association’s support of our federal partners, US Fish and Wildlife and US Forest Service. Her favorite activities involve outdoor experiences including kayaking, hiking, camping, birding, and gardening. Her passion for the natural world is centered on preserving our landscapes for work, play, and quality of life, to share it with others and pass along to the next generation. Sarah resides on James Island, and is intimately familiar with the coastal refuges, forest, and ecosystems that surround us.
“My service on the SEWEE Association board allows me to extend my professional contribution to conservation in the Lowcountry to a larger community, through our emphasis on outreach and education of our members and our youth. It’s a great platform to use my outside voice!”
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Diane Krishon, Secretary
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Diane currently teaches Wildlife Biology at Wando High School. She has taught there for ten years and has been teaching high school for 14 years. She created the Wildlife Biology class thirteen years ago in the hopes of instilling in her students an awareness andappreciation for the natural world that will last well into their adult years. Her background in education enables her to serve on the education committee as well as secretary for the SEWEE Association. She has a Bachelors degree from UGA in Wildlife Biology and a Masters from WVU in Environmental Studies. During the summer she works as a kayak guide for Nature Adventures Outfitters.
“I am excited and grateful to be a part of an association that has such a significant role in environmental education in the Lowcountry.”
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William Jarrard, Treasurer
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Bill Jarrard, CPA offers a breadth of public accounting and corporate financial experience, including experience with a Big Four accounting firm and working with Fortune 500 level corporations. As Treasurer of the Board of the SEWEE Association, he offers expertise in the areas of non-profit accounting and tax. He earned his masters of professional accountancy from Clemson University and a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of South Carolina. He has also served on the finance committee for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and received the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 award in recognition of individuals under the age of 40 who have made outstanding accomplishments in and contributions to the Charleston business community.
“As an avid boater and camper, I strongly believein the preservation of our natural resources, and being involved in the SEWEE Association affords me the opportunity to assist with this conservation so that they can be enjoyed by future generations.”
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Tom Badgett
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Tom grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 1966, and then moved to Conway, SC. He practiced dentistry in Conway for forty-two years. Tom has had an active life outside of his profession. He has been active in the Episcopal Church, and a member of the choir. He has many hobbies, including hiking, fly fishing, and making pottery. He has had a passion for whitewater canoeing. He came on to the SEWEE board in 2008 to represent Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.
“The SEWEE Association affords an opportunity to encourage youth's appreciation of the environment. Offering this, we look forward to future generations continuing appreciation and love of preservation in an often technologically, quick changing world. SEWEE is an organization that is God's helpmate in loving what He has given us.”
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Ed Graham
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Ed owns Graham Law Firm, P.A., a safety advocacy and civil litigation firm. Educated at Furman and UVA, he has practiced law for 30+ years. Ed represents families of wrongful death victims and survivors of serious personal injury, when those in power cause harm by violating safety rules put in place to protect the community. He is best known for his success in medical malpractice actions, especially birth injury cases, and actions involving bad faith insurance practices. He represents clients throughout South Carolina and beyond. Ed‘s community activities have included safety initiatives, environmental causes, helping disabled children and the underprivileged. He loves the outdoors and is an avid scuba diver. He and wife Emily also enjoy kayaking, bird watching, cooking and travel. Thrilled to have moved to Awendaw recently, their every day includes encounters with nature. Ed brings the Board legal acumen, communication skills and passion for the natural wonders and majestic beauty of the South Carolina coast.
“Living in Awendaw, connected directly to Cape Romain, fulfills a lifelong dream. Blessed in so many ways, in both my chosen career and personal life, I feel a responsibility to do my part to help protect this paradise for future generations.”
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Virginia (Ginny) Prevost
Ginny has a BS in Biology/Secondary Education and an MS in Entomology. She has been a lab technician, classroom teacher and an environmental education resource teacher. She previously served on the SEWEE Association board of directors as secretary and then president. Ginny currently chairs the McClellanville Planning Commission. She is retired and enjoys cycling, gardening, fishing, doing cross stitch and various volunteer activities in her community.
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Bob Raynor
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Bob is presently the coordinator of recreation therapy at MUSC's Institute of Psychiatry. He has worked there for over thirty years, and has been involved in the treatment of inpatients and outpatients with mental health and substance abuse problems. He has also been on the boards of several national and regional non-profit boards associated with the field of recreation therapy. Through these professional experiences Bob brings to the board skills in interpersonal relationships, verbal and written communication, board knowledge, and wellness. Additionally, his passions for natural and human history, sailing, and writing came together with the completion of two books related to Cape Romain, and an ongoing blog. He has done regular service work for CRNWR including participation in the loggerhead program, and therefore also brings knowledge of our federal partners, and relationships with staff and volunteers. Bob resides in Awendaw, and has a great love for the Lowcountry and a commitment to stewardship of its natural and cultural resources.
“I not only have the wonderful fortune to live in such an important area of the natural world on the Atlantic coast, but to also play a role in its conservation through the SEWEE Association.”
“Having taught and shown young people how they are connected to and indeed require, a healthy environment, I am drawn to the mission of the Association…. education of youth and support of the natural resource agencies working to protect those resources. We must do both to maintain our planet/home for now and into the future.”
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Eddie White
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Eddie White has proudly served on the board of the SEWEE Association for 10 years as a result of being exposed to their award winning environmental education program, Earth Stewards, while his kids were at Pinckney Elementary School. The power and lasting impact of exploring, understanding and protecting the natural world motivated him then and now. The treasures that are the Francis Marion National Forest and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge are his back yard and he enjoys being involved in their affairs. He has a unique skill set to assist the board. He developed a powerful music community called Awendaw Green as a result of his involvement in the ever popular Music and Oysters for Wildlife, the annual SEWEE membership drive/fundraiser. He is a dentist, husband to Laurie, and a dad to three children, Clay, Ivy, and April. They all share his love of nature and music. His dad made sure he knew about the woods and he has done the same. He has learned much through his duties with the SEWEE Association’s board and has been actively involved in a myriad of other organizations
“Being a part of the SEWEE Association board allows me to feel like I make a positive impact in the protection and enjoyment of our natural world.”