Raleigh West, head of the state Conservation Bank, will leave his job for the private sector in June. (Photo provided by SC Conservation Bank)
COLUMBIA — The head of the state’s land conservation agency will leave his role this summer, he announced Friday.
Raleigh West has led the Conservation Bank, an agency of four full-time employees that coordinates land protection projects across the state, since 2019. After the fiscal year ends June 30, West plans to establish his own law firm specializing in conservation.
West took over the agency, which distributes state grants to conservation projects, during a period of turmoil, as legislators threatened to repeal funding over money management questions. He was the first to head the Conservation Bank after legislators made the agency permanent, instead of allowing it to dissolve that year as the legislation that created it in 2002 required.
During his time at the bank, West saw conservation grow on a massive scale, he told the Daily Gazette. When he started, the bank was processing about 20 grants each year. During recent years, that number has been closer to 150, he said.
“I think people understand that we’re growing at a massively fast clip, and there’s general recognition from folks in the General Assembly to the average person that we have a limited time to save what’s important,” West said. “I’m glad to be part of that.”
Under West’s leadership, through grants and coordination, the agency has helped conserve around 135,000 acres of land — about 30% of the total protected since its establishment, according to the bank. The agency aims to help protect any natural areas in the state from development or other harm, including forests, farmland, significant cultural sites and waterways.
The agency has helped land major conservation projects. Among them was a $3.3 million grant to help open up public access to a portion of the largest conservation easement in state history. West also oversaw the creation of a program that bought development rights from farmers, protecting working farmlands.
West “put forth an inspiring conservation vision for our state, underpinned by solid, transparent administrative procedures,” said Peter King, chairman of the 16-member board, in a statement. “Raleigh is known and well-respected by landowners, land trusts, and the General Assembly for his candor, integrity, positive energy, and real estate acumen.”
West saw a need for attorneys to represent landowners, local governments and others in conservation deals and felt he could put his skills and his law degree to use. The bank’s work focuses on funding, not the easements themselves, so West’s work as an attorney wouldn’t conflict with his old job.
And the bank had grown enough to continue its work under another leader, he said.
“I think the bank is at a wonderful place,” West said.
Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
