News
A beautiful example of community support for the Heritage at Lowman is that we have received ten new bluebird boxes to be placed around our campus. Jay Keck, son of John and Carolyn, who reside in the Courtyard apartments, in cooperation with Chapin Women’s Club and the Heyward Career and Technology Center of Columbia provided these in the latter part of April.
Residents who want to attract monarch butterflies in their yard and give them a place to lay their eggs for the next generation can receive free native milkweed seeds from the South Carolina Wildlife Federation this spring.
Shaw Industries has been a valued WAIT partner in the Midlands since 2016. Located along the Saluda River, Shaw's property is a wintering place for waterfowl such as wood ducks and bufflehead. The property's habitat, which includes maturing forest, a wetlands area, and thickets, provides nesting opportunities for neo-tropical migrants like the summer tanager, white-eyed vireo, and hooded warblers.
A committee of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation board is proud to announce the selection of the 2023 scholarship recipients. Congratulations to Margaret Gaither, Kloi Hart, and Levi Wagner for their selection as SCWF scholarships and to Nina Coli for being selected as the Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship.
This past hunting season was particularly enjoyable for Industry Habitat Manager, Jay Keck, and his sons. In addition to hunting doves and deer, they decided to try their luck squirrel hunting in order to spend more time in the outdoors together. It had been over thirty years since Jay had actively pursued squirrels with his father, so connecting his past with his present by taking both of his sons hunting, was truly a special time for him.
We are grateful to every single artist who entered this year’s Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Menu Art contest. The creative way the artists showcased this year’s featured species is inspiring. South Carolina is blessed with stunning wildlife and habitats, and each of these pieces reflects that beauty.
Michelin US5 in Lexington has reinvigorated their WAIT program with many nature-loving employees at the property. Two bird baths, 10 Bluebird boxes, a bee and butterfly house, along with 17 wildlife feeding stations, have been placed on the property. A new walking path made out of recycled tires directs employees through the beautiful, wooded area in front of the factory.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has joined South Carolina Wildlife Federation, and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' (AZA) North American Songbird SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction® program to prevent one of the largest threats to migratory birds, collisions with glass.
Schneider Electric has been a proud WAIT partner for over 10 years! In that time, they have created a nature trail through portions of their property that is rich in biodiversity. SCWF Partners with conservation-minded businesses throughout the state who want to help wildlife thrive by enhancing their properties and providing educational opportunities for their employees and communities.
SCWF’s was excited to offer their very first POWR + Quail Hunt on December 18, 2023! The hunt was led by SCWF Board Member, Hunter Morton, an educator at the school and owner of ALL IN Kennels. His dog Huk, an accomplished German Shorthaired pointer, accompanied the group to assist with the hunt. German Shorthaired pointers are popular bird dogs, and it was easy to see how much Huk enjoyed finding the coveys of quail.
