Charleston Waterkeeper

STAFF

Cyrus Buffum
Executive Director and Waterkeeper

Since founding Charleston Waterkeeper in September of 2008, Cyrus has served as Waterkeeper and the organization’s Executive Director. In 2010, GQ selected Cyrus as one of the top five finalists of their Better Men Better World search for his commitment and dedication in establishing Charleston Waterkeeper. Most recently, the College of Charleston selected Cyrus as the 2011 Young Alumnus of the Year.

Cyrus was born and raised on Cape Cod, MA and learned at an early age the importance of protecting and living in balance with his surrounding environment. Having grown up sailing and racing throughout New England, Cyrus learned that our natural resources must be protected in order for us to enjoy them.

In 2002, Cyrus moved to the Lowcountry to attend the College of Charleston. During his time at the college, Cyrus involved himself with various on-campus activities where he assumed multiple leadership roles including positions with the Student Government Association and the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity – of which he was also a founding father.

After graduating in 2006 with a degree in physics and a minor in mathematics, Cyrus spent two months traveling throughout Zimbabwe with the Elias Fund, an educational-based nonprofit organization. His time abroad made a lasting impact and exposed him to the true power of community activism and the great potential of grassroots efforts. This experience would eventually lead him to establish Charleston Waterkeeper.

Upon his return to Charleston, Cyrus read The Riverkeepers by John Cronin and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Inspired by the story of the Waterkeeper movement, Cyrus contacted Waterkeeper Alliance to inquire about establishing a similar watchdog organization in Charleston. Shortly thereafter (eight months to be exact), following the creation and submittal of an official proposal, Charleston Waterkeeper was approved to become the 183rd member program of the Waterkeeper Alliance.

In the wake of the BP oil disaster, Cyrus created Save Our Gulf – a campaign bringing support to the communities of the Gulf Coast while simultaneously uniting the efforts of the Waterkeeper programs working in the impacted areas. Save Our Gulf created a regional voice for clean water and continues to serve as a powerful tool advocating for the public’s right to swimmable, fishable, drinkable water. The campaign attracted national media attention and international partnerships with brands including Teva, Grooveshark, and Patagonia.

Follow Cyrus on Twitter – @CyrusBuffum

Andrew Wunderley, Esq.
Legal Affairs Coordinator

Andrew provides legal and policy expertise to manage Charleston Waterkeeper’s litigation and advocacy programs.

Andrew earned his J.D. cum laude from the Charleston School of Law in 2008. During law school he was a member of the Charleston Law Review and the Moot Court Board. After graduation Andrew served as law clerk to the Honorable James E. Lockemy at the South Carolina Court of Appeals and also as a Staff Attorney at the Court of Appeals.

Prior to law school, Andrew earned a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from the Graduate School at the College of Charleston. There, Andrew was exposed to the notion that some things are too valuable to be privately owned or appropriated. His masters research explored the role of the public trust doctrine in South Carolina’s Coastal Zone Management Plan and advocated for a more complete use of the doctrine’s authority in the regulation and management of South Carolina’s coastal zone natural resources.

Andrew served as head coach of the Palmetto Masters Swim Team from 1997 to 2005. He coached Kathleen Wilson to a successful crossing of the English Channel in 2001 and four other marathon swims.

Andrew is an avid surfer who shapes and glasses his own surfboards. He is married with two children and lives on James Island.

Follow Andrew on Twitter – @AndrewWunderley

TEAM

McKay Communications

Both graduates of the College of Charleston with degrees in Corporate Communication, we gained experience at respective local public relations firms before honing our skills together as Account Executives at a Charleston-based public affairs and consulting firm, representing a global consumer products goods company. We traveled all over the country, planning high-profile events in New York and Washington, D.C. that included Members of Congress, Department of the Interior and Corporate Senior Leadership. Additionally, we helped to implement our client’s corporate responsibility program, in partnership with the National Park Foundation, working to facilitate sustainable grants, volunteer events and educational programs nationwide that enrich America’s National Parks. After nearly two years of invaluable experience, we decided to harness our mutual know-how and reconnect with our local Charleston community.

Justin Harris

Justin Harris is a local graphic designer (and the talent behind our logo!) and print maker. After stints at Charleston Magazine and Rawle Murdy – Justin decided to break out on his own as a freelance graphic designer. He is also the Art Director for ReadCharlie.com, an online magazine celebrating progressive culture in Charleston.

Board of Directors

Click here to see our Board of Directors.

This page has the following sub pages.

• Andrew J. Wunderley, Esq.