2026 South Carolina Forests & Water Consortium

Bringing together forestry and water sectors in our state.

Happening October 29th @ The River Center at Saluda Shoals Park

Join us for the 2026 revival consortium

The South Carolina Forests & Water Consortium is returning October 29th, 2026 from 10 am - 4 pm at The River Center at Saluda Shoals.

This year’s theme is Conservation Collaboration. Join us for talks from leaders in the forest and water sectors as they share how collaborative approaches to conservation projects have not only improved their local ecology, but formed lasting community care in the process.

Attendees will be give a chance to network across sectors to discuss ongoing and upcoming conservation projects, and way organizations can join forces to make those goals a reality.

View the Agenda Here

THIS YEAR’S SPEAKERS

Jill Miller

Executive Director

South Carolina Rural Water Association

Jill Miller is the Executive Director of South Carolina Rural Water Association (SCRWA). A non-profit trade association focused on providing technical assistance, resources, and training to water and wastewater utilities that serve South Carolina’s small rural communities. Jill started her career in the Environmental field working for both the public and private sector. Eventually working for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) assisting water utilities in conducting vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans following the 9/11 disaster. Jill served as SCRWA’s Source Water Technician and later moved through several Association roles to the Executive Director. Jill actively serves the water sector by participating on several State Water Resource and Infrastructure Committee’s such as the SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) State Water Planning Advisory Committee (WaterSC), the Upper Savannah River Basin Council (USRBC), the SC Dept. of Environmental Services (SCDES) Clean Water Technical Advisory Committee (CWTAC), the SCDES Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee (DWTAC), and the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority’s Viability Assistance Network (VAN).

Melanie Ruhlman

President

Save Our Saluda

Melanie Ruhlman is a water resources specialist serving as Executive Director of Save Our Saluda and watershed manager for Easley Combined Utilities focusing on source water protection in the Upper Saluda Watershed. Melanie earned her B.S. in Forestry from North Carolina State University in 1990 and her M.S. in Forest Hydrology from the University of Georgia in 1996. She has spent over 25 years working in water resources management for private consulting, industry, and government organizations, and with nonprofit groups in Georgia and more recently here in South Carolina. Her areas of expertise include watershed assessment and planning, hydrology, water quality, erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and stream restoration. She lives on the North Saluda River in Marietta, South Carolina enjoys paddling, biking, hiking, camping, and native landscaping.

Lyles Cooper

Executive Director

Pee Dee Land Trust

Lyles Cooper joined Pee Dee Land Trust in 2015 and serves as Executive Director. Lyles’ professional experience spans multiple organizations in the corporate, government and nonprofit worlds. A graduate of College of Charleston with a degree in corporate communications and business administration, Lyles brings a unique mix of skills to PDLT. Lyles is actively involved in many community organizations, represents PDLT on numerous local and statewide conservation partnerships, and currently serves as the immediate past board chair of the SC Land Trust Network. During her tenure, PDLT has significantly grown as an organization and currently stewards 125 conservations easements spanning over 54,000 acres across the Pee Dee Watershed. Having spent much of her childhood enjoying all the Pee Dee outdoors has to offer, she is passionate about helping protect our resources for future generations in order to sustain a balance for economic growth in our state.