The South Carolina National Guard is committed to excellence in all operations, including environmental stewardship. To support the South Carolina National Guard's mission, the Environmental Office maintains a staff of highly trained environmental professionals with expertise in a range of areas from the management of hazardous waste to threatened and endangered species.

To enhance mission readiness and reduce our impact on the environment, the South Carolina National Guard has implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS is a set of processes and practices that enable the South Carolina National Guard to reduce our environmental impacts and increase our operating efficiency. The South Carolina National Guard's commitment to environmental excellence is evidenced in The Adjutant General’s Environmental Policy:

The South Carolina Army National Guard is committed to maintaining the highest level of mission-readiness to achieve both federal and state objectives. As responsible environmental stewards, we will strive to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and statutes, as well as other requirements to which we subscribe. The South Carolina Army National Guard will accomplish this through the establishment of a framework for setting and reviewing environmental objectives and targets with the intent of preventing pollution, protecting the environment and continually improving environmental performance for present and future generations.

McCrady Training Center is home to the Harry J. Vann Trail, a one-mile interpretive loop trail that connects to the Palmetto Trail. This trail is open to the public and meanders through the black water flood plain of Colonels Creek and upland pine forest. The Environmental Office constructed this trail in part due to a grant received from NETF for National Public Lands Day. Signs posted along the trail address topics from the history of the Sandhills region to recycling. Located at the mid-point of the trail is an outdoor classroom which is used for hands-on displays and lectures during guided walking tours, and also makes for a nice resting spot.

Call 803.299.2349 for any environmental inquiries.