On Tuesday March 7th select programs at Clemson University were invited to visit the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia to highlight their work to lawmakers, lobbyist, and visitors of the statehouse. Along with CU-ICAR, Rural Health, and CU-CAT, Regulatory Service staff alongside Cooperative Extension had the opportunity to share information about their work on invasive species. Those pests highlighted included the Asian longhorned beetle, recently found in the Hollywood area in 2020, and the impending Spotted Lanternfly that threatens our border, with detection as far south as North Carolina.
A booth was set up all day on site at the base of the Statehouse stairs and Regulatory staff had great response and conversations with participants reaching anyone from senators leaving their session to 4-H youth touring the Statehouse. They answered questions, provided information on ways the public could help detect these pests, hosted games and activities, and provided printed materials for people to take home.
Later in the evening staff were able to attend a reception and networking opportunity in appreciation of members of the South Carolina General Assembly and celebrating Clemson Day at the State House hearing Governor McMaster and President Clements speak. The day was a great opportunity to bridge the gap between different players in South Carolina regulation and highlight just some of the work Clemson Regulatory is doing to protect the citizens, agriculture, and industry of our state.
