South’s First Environmental Justice Training Center Opens in Britton’s Neck, SC on April 21

Florence, SC – In honor of Earth Week, the Reverend Leo Woodberry will open the South’s first Environmental Justice Training Center in the historic Britton’s Neck community of South Carolina on Friday, April 21. The ribbon-cutting ceremony – which takes place at 2 p.m. EDT – will also feature speeches by community members, elected officials, South Carolina Chief Resilience Officer Ben Duncan, and Danna Smith of the Dogwood Alliance.

Woodberry, who is executive director of New Alpha Community Development Corporation and pastor of Kingdom Living Temple in Florence, created the Environmental Justice Training Center in response to the growing threat climate change poses to the residents and economy of Britton’s Neck and other communities throughout the South. In recent years, Britton’s Neck has endured water quality problems and flooding exacerbated by an increase in severe weather events and an uptick in commercial logging nearby.

The Environmental Justice Training Center is designed to train members of the community to create new enterprises in the green economy while boosting climate resilience. The center will offer courses on creating small-scale agricultural businesses, becoming an outdoor recreation guide, and learning how to hunt, fish, and grow crops. The center will also host working groups on climate action and reducing commercial logging in flood-prone areas.

“Britton’s Neck is a majority Black community with a rich history tied to the Revolutionary War,” said Woodberry. “Britton’s Neck is too important to be deserted and Britton’s Neck residents shouldn’t have to flee their homes as climate refugees. My goal with the Environmental Justice Training Center is to show that we have solutions. We can protect our communities from climate change and create great opportunities for everyone in the green economy.”

Dr. Florence Anoruo from South Carolina State University will teach the center’s first course, on creating small-scale agricultural businesses, starting in June. This spring and fall, the center will offer a course on growing pollinator gardens. Trainees will have the opportunity to plant pollinator gardens at 20 homes and three churches, in partnership with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.

The 7.5-acre Environmental Justice Training Center features eight hydropanels – solar panels that make clean water from sunlight and air – that irrigate the outdoor garden and a greenhouse filled with flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Coming soon: a hydroponic system that grows plants without using soil, using only water and sunlight; an aquaponic system that grows hydroponic plants and fish at the same time; and a solar energy system to power the facility.

Plans also call for building a clean energy training center that offers overnight accommodations for 32 people and hosts courses on installing solar panels, hydropanels, and electric vehicle charging stations. Woodberry is also in conversation with the mayor of Florence about building an environmental justice training center there, as well.

“The climate crisis is accelerating and disproportionately impacting Black and brown communities. The cavalry isn’t coming to save us. We are the cavalry. The Environmental Justice Training Center shows what’s possible,” said Woodberry.

To attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, please contact Carina Daniels at carina@storyandreach.com or 510-847-1617.