COLUMBIA, SC (SCDVA) - Todd McCaffrey, South Carolina's Secretary of Veterans' Affairs (SCDVA) was honored as Global Eco Adventure's 2026 Environmental Champion. The award recognizes the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs for the Military Enhancement Fund grant to install a Smart Reef Living Shoreline off the coast of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

The living shoreline and smart reef project in Beaufort County will provide protection to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island infrastructure by reducing coastal erosion and impacts from frequent severe storms as well as improve the marine habitat and water quality. These two key impacts serve to enhance the resilience of the installation and maintain military readiness.

GEA leaders Thomas Mullikin and Thomas Mullikin, Jr. honored SCDVA Secretary McCaffrey during the annual GEA EcoBall on April 22, 2026 for continued support and commitment to the sustainability of our coastal environment surrounding the state's critical military installations.

Global Eco Adventures has documented the Smart Reef Living Shoreline project funded by a Military Enhancement Fund grant from SCDVA. Click the YouTube link below to learn more about how the project is leading the way in environmental conservation. 

Photos in this article provided by Global Eco Adventures and Julie Prickett with Photography by Julie JP.