Staff
Grace Gasper brings over 20 years of experience in conservation and the nonprofit sector to Friends of Coastal South Carolina. Through her years of experience she has gained a thorough understanding of the challenges of nonprofit management and development. Grace served as director of the medical clinic for The Avian Conservation Center for 11 years, has worked as a biologist on a variety of avian research projects across the country, and has been involved in swallow-tailed kite research in South Carolina for over a decade, including conducting kite research on Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge and the Francis Marion National Forest. Her efforts on behalf of conservation in South Carolina have been recognized by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Grace enjoys living in Awendaw, SC, adjacent to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.
“Being part of Friends of Coastal South Carolina is exciting to me because the impacts of our work are significant and lasting. Because of Friends of Coastal South Carolina over 14,000 children a year learn about, and gain appreciation for, our natural resources. Work critical to conservation efforts on our refuges and the national forest happens because of our support. It’s grass-roots conservation at its best!”
Sarah Clarke is a North Carolina native who developed her love of nature growing up surrounded by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She graduated from Elon University with a B.S. in Environmental and Ecological Sciences. Sarah joined Friends of Coastal South Carolina in 2024. She brings incredible skill and a deep passion for engaging the next generation to our team.
“This role has been a dream come true for me, and I feel so fortunate to have found this organization and to help carry forward its mission of instilling conservation ethics in today’s youth”.
John Erwin is a South Carolina native originally from Greenwood, SC. From an early age, John fell in love with the outdoors. He graduated from the Citadel with a business administration degree and has diverse experience managing public lands, wildlife habitat, and recreation areas, including running his own management company. He worked on Black River Cypress Preserve before joining Friends of Coastal South Carolina in 2023. John enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and dogs, along with hunting and fishing.
“The choice to move from busy Charleston to the leisurely pace of historic Georgetown was an easy one! I love being part of preserving the rich history and ecosystems of Hasty Point and I am grateful for the role I’m able to play in providing opportunities to the public to experience and explore the beauty of Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.”