PARRIS NAMED TO CONSERVATION HALL OF FAME
COLUMBIA, SC ..John W. Parris of Columbia, SC, a native of Spartanburg County, has been named to the Conservation Hall of Fame in the Southeast by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). The first South Carolinian to be so honored, he was recognized at a conference of the Southeastern States Conservation Districts Association held in Savannah, Georgia.
The retired executive director of the SC Land Resources Commission, Parris is known for his leadership in implementing premier programs in land and water conservation, mined land reclamation, dams and reservoir safety, storm water management and erosion control, landscape architects and soil classifiers registration, satellite mapping, cartographic information and environmental education. He is also a nationally recognized leader in the successful promotion of micro-irrigation and minimum tillage technology.
Parris led in the establishment of the SC Conservation Districts Foundation and organized the State Conservation Workshop for Youth. He also initiated the transfer of state-owned property to the Greenville County School District for development of the Roper Mountain Science Center.
Previously recognized as the Outstanding Professional Conservationist in the Nation by the National Association of Conservation Districts, Parris was also named Man of the Year in Agriculture in South Carolina by the Progressive Farmer magazine. He has been recognized as an Outstanding Centennial Agriculture Alumnus by Clemson University and awarded the Order of the Palmetto.
Since retiring from state government in 1994, Parris has served as state director of public affairs for agricultural education in South Carolina and editor of AGRIBIZ, the states agricultural education magazine.
He was jointly nominated for this prestigious honor by he SC Department of Natural Resources, the SC Association of Conservation Districts and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
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Note to Editor or News Director: For additional information contact Marc Cribb, State Department of Natural Resources at 803-734-9100.
