Regional Program Coordinator Terry Conway

Meet Terry Conway, a seasoned professional with an impressive journey in South Carolina’s state parks. Terry has worked for the South Carolina State Park Service for over 25 years, currently serving as a Regional Program Coordinator. He manages and coordinates interpretive programs, training, and outdoor activities for the Lowcountry region, making a huge impact on park visitors and staff alike.

Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Terry brings a small-town, Midwest charm to the Southern hospitality of the Carolinas. He moved to South Carolina in 1998 after a suggestion from a friend, and his journey with the park service has been an adventure ever since. Terry earned his bachelors in Forestry and a masters in Forestry with an emphasis on Environmental Interpretation from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. 

From starting as a seasonal naturalist at Hunting Island State Park, Terry promoted to Park Ranger. "I was fresh out of college when I was hired as a seasonal Naturalist," he says. "I spent almost two years learning from one of the best Interpretive Rangers and coastal resource experts in the park service. I absorbed a lot from him in both resource knowledge and interpretive skills. I also learned a lot about park operations at Hunting Island, which at the time was probably the busiest state park."

Terry then moved to Park Ranger II at Caesars Head State Park, where he learned the true extent of customer service - search and rescue, which simply started as accounting for all visitors and vehicles at trailheads during closing time. "Many hikers were surprised when they walked up past dark and I welcomed them by name," Terry recounts. "When they asked how I knew, I simply responded, we have already started the first steps in search and rescue – knowing who is unaccounted for, where they were going, and when they were supposed to be back."

In 2000, several new Regional Interpretive Coordinator positions were created, prompting Terry to move back to the Lowcountry in the Charleston area. "My true interest in parks was always education, though, so when the these positions were created, I jumped on the opportunity. Thankfully I had a solid background in interpretation and a couple years of practical experience as well, and timing and preparation intersected at opportunity and I have been here ever since," he says. His expertise in natural resources and park operations laid the foundation for his success.

Terry's love for nature and education began early. A boy scout trip to Rocky Mountain National Park ignited his passion for outdoor recreation, and he has been fostering that love in others ever since. As an advocate for education and public engagement, Terry trains staff and leads visitors on unforgettable outdoor experiences like kayaking down the Edisto River or teaching campers to make Dutch oven cobbler. He is most excited about training staff and takes on the challenge in several different capacities including First Aid/CPR, kayaking skills, programming skills, and using our internal program database system. He says, "I always want to make the training environment entertaining, interesting, productive, realistic, and effective. To do all of those things, I have to be knowledgeable about the subject, but also personable, interesting, and genuine."

One of Terry's proudest achievements is his role in promoting diversity and inclusivity in outdoor activities. Over the last several years state parks has been partnering with historically underrepresented groups, and Terry has helped introduce new visitors to parks, creating a welcoming environment and dismantling old barriers. "Activities like beginner level camping, hiking, and kayaking have brought people who were inexperienced with outdoor skills to new comfort levels, but even more importantly, we delivered a message that these parks are for you," he says. His efforts are part of a broader movement to ensure that parks are accessible and enjoyable for all.

During the early days of the pandemic, Terry's creativity flourished. 

"After parks shut down during the early months of COVID, we had to find a different way to reach our visitors other than in-person programs, so we started producing videos about parks and park resources. Our social media department (shoutout to Gwen) decided to put them out on Tuesdays, and 'Tidbit Tuesdays' were born. Tidbit Tuesday videos have become a park service social media staple and I have produced many of them. I work with a lot of great staff on these projects, and most of the time it is easy to make them shine. I have also starred in a few and even have my own hashtag - #RangerTerry!"

Throughout his career, Terry has faced a range of challenges, from the Great Recession of 2009 to managing a diverse set of responsibilities. Yet, his dedication to both his team and the public has remained unwavering. One of the greatest rewards for Terry is the opportunity to inspire others, especially through training new staff and sharing his passion for outdoor education.

Terry encourages those interested in park work to understand the full scope of responsibilities. Being a park ranger is about more than leading nature walks—it’s about problem-solving, customer service, and sometimes even stepping into roles that are outside the traditional job description. "Park Rangers wear many different hats. Yes, we are nature guides, but we are also store clerks, painters, teachers, business managers, loggers, landscapers, writers, customer service, plumbers, carpenters, planners, policemen, firefighters, and so much more. Some of them aren’t always pleasant. Enjoy the good times, the fun duties, the great interactions when they happen, because other days will be filled with hard work, boredom, nastiness, frustration, and even tragedy." he advises.

His advice to others in the field is to become a lifelong learner: "Take advantage of every training opportunity you can. Learn from everyone you can. Assume you are not the smartest person in the meeting, even if there are only two of you. Someone always knows more, has more experience, or has a different way of looking at something that you didn’t consider."

While Terry hasn’t officially completed the Ultimate Outsider challenge, his role has taken him to all the state parks, each with its own unique features. For first-time visitors, he recommends asking a park ranger what they love most about the park and experiencing it firsthand. 

Terry’s story is a reminder of the dedication, passion, and hard work that goes into managing and interpreting the natural and cultural treasures in South Carolina’s state parks. His experiences, from search and rescue missions to making educational videos, reflect the multifaceted nature of his work. Thank you, Terry, for your hard work and dedication to the state park service! 

Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Park Service? Click here to see our current, full-time job openings!