SC Conservation Coalition Lobby Day & Oyster Roast 2023

Join the SC Conservation Coalition, a statewide alliance of over 40 conservation organizations, on Wednesday, April 5th for our 20th annual Lobby Day at the State House and Oyster Roast at 701 Whaley Street!  Be a part of making an impact at the State House while networking and celebrating conservation with fellow volunteers, staff, and elected officials. The agenda is below (*This schedule is subject to change based on the legislative calendar.)

Please dress comfortably for a day of walking and standing. Most people will be in business casual.

All Lobby Day registrants will receive a Zoom link for the Lobby Day Training. The training will be on Monday, April 3rd at 3pm . The training will prepare you with talking points for the day and is a good intro to or refresher on best practices in lobbying your elected officials. If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording will be emaild out so that you can watch or listen to it before you arrive at Lobby Day.

20th Annual Conservation Lobby Day & Oyster Roast Schedule: Wednesday, April 5th

9:15am -- Meet at the check-in table at the bottom of the North State House Steps to connect with fellow conservationists, receive your Lobby Day materials, and review talking points for the day with your Lobby Day Huddle Leader which you'll be assigned to at check-in (Gervais St. side near the Visitor entrance to the State House).

9:50am -- Lobbying Begins. Enter the State House at the Visitor Entrance on the East Side (Sumter St./left). Representatives will be convening in the House Chamber at 10am.

**11:00am Optional--Support Conservation Coalition member Palmetto Pride as they hold their Zero Tolerance for Litter Campaign Kickoff on the State House Steps

11:30am-- Group Photo-Please meet just outside the Visitor's Entrance to the SC State House  (Gervais St. side; the side of the State House you received your Lobby Day materials this morning)

**Lunch is on your own this afternoon. Find a Conservation friend and grab a bite before returning to the State House. Lunch suggestions will be in your Lobby Day packet. 

1:00 pm -- Lobbying continues as Senators convene in the Senate Chamber.

** 2:30pm Optional-- Tour of the SC State House--We are limited to 40 spots on this free tour, and they will most likely sell out quickly.

5:30 - 8:00 pm -- Legislative Reception & Oyster Roast at 701 Whaley Street in the Market Building (Vegetarian chili will also be served.)

Parking During Lobby Day: I would recommend downloading the Passport Parking App if you are going to park in street parking around Columbia as it makes paying for parking meters pretty easy. Most of the meters are only for two hours though, so I'd recommend parking in a public parking garage. Please make sure to budget some time for yourself to find parking and get to the State House. 

Paid Public Parking Garages Closest to State House:

-1100 Lady St, Columbia, SC 29201 is 0.2 miles from the State House.

-1400 Sumter Street is 0.3 miles away from the State House.

-1100 Washington St is 0.3 miles away from the State House.

-1007 Park St is 0.4 miles away from the State House.

**The schedule is subject to change based on the legislative calendar.**

For questions or concerns throughout the day, please call or text Katie at 803-360-3358.