Evan Patrohay grew up surrounded by the salt marshes and pine forests of the southeast. Like so many, through fishing trips and beach days Evan developed a love for the outdoors and the plants and animals which call it home. And as a Children’s Atlas held the prized position of his favorite childhood book, he should have known what lay in store. As he grew, his political interests matured alongside his environmental interests. But while attending Clemson University, he was at once confronted with the challenge of reconciling his conservative beliefs with environmental protection.

However, through the wisdom and advice of friends, philosophers, and other authors he realized that reconciling these two things was not a challenge at all. Though often mired beneath a polarized and confused political climate, the tenets of classical conservatism and environmental stewardship in fact go hand in hand.

While at Clemson, Evan joined the American Conservation Coalition (acc.eco) and further found an outlet for his beliefs. Now fully dedicated to the conservationist cause, upon graduation he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Norway to study the affects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems. The friends and experiences he made there further opened his mind to unique means of solving our environmental challenges, and gave him insight into the political priorities and beliefs of those from other nations.

Now once again settled underneath the balmy skies and salty air of Charleston, South Carolina, Evan has continued his pursuit as a conservationist within the SC Department of Natural Resources.