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South Carolina Botanical Garden outlines plan for a 2026 sustainability fair and seeks city partnership
Summary
Martin Hamilton, executive director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden, presented a proposal for a sustainability fair in April 2026 and asked the committee to consider city partnership, volunteer support and outreach channels.
Martin Hamilton, executive director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson, told the Sustainability Committee the garden is planning a sustainability fair for the weekend after Earth Day in April 2026 and has applied for Pickens County accommodation-tax funding to support initial marketing.
Hamilton described the fair as a two-day event with an evening reception and invited speakers on Friday followed by a Saturday fair of vendors ranging from local makers and sustainable-product businesses to utilities and educational displays from Clemson Extension on home sustainability practices. “As far as we're aware, it would be the first sustainability fair in the state,” Hamilton said, adding the event aims to connect residents with local sustainable businesses and practices.
Why it matters: The proposed fair aligns with the committee’s goals for outreach and building local conservation capacity. Hamilton said the Garden has already collected letters of support from businesses across Pickens, Anderson, Greenville and Oconee counties and is open to city participation on a steering committee, marketing support and volunteer coordination.
Committee reaction and next steps: Committee members suggested linking the fair to the Green Crescent Trail programming, inviting local sustainability groups and holding a pre-event roundtable. Hamilton said he has a briefing document he will share electronically and asked committee members interested in joining a steering committee to contact him; Tony (staff) and other committee members agreed to help coordinate outreach. Hamilton also said the Garden would pursue corporate sponsorships and draw on a Friends of the Garden business-membership program for support.
Ending: Hamilton left business cards and asked committee members to follow up; committee members recommended coordinating an earlier networking roundtable and exploring ways the city website and chamber could publicize the event if the council approves partnership.
