Keynote Speaker

Larry Schweiger President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation Larry Schweiger is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Wildlife Federation.  He returned to the National Wildlife Federation in March 2004 with a commitment to confront global warming to protect wildlife for our children’s future. National Wildlife Federation is America’s conservation organization, with 48 affiliates and more than four million supporters.    Previously, Larry served for eight years as President and CEO of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, where he pioneered watershed restoration and promoted ecological research, land conservation, and community outreach in high priority conservation areas. Prior to that, Larry was the Executive Secretary of the Joint House/Senate Conservation Committee for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs at   National   Wildlife Federation, and 1st Vice President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  Larry is an active community leader, having served on more than 40 governing boards, commissions, and committees. Larry currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Climate Protection and the John Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. He was selected as Pennsylvania’s Environmental Professional of the Year in 2002, Pittsburgher of the Year in 2000 and he received a Conservation Service Award from the Christian Environmental Association in September 1995. Larry is married to Clara Schweiger and has three adult daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandsons.

Award Winners

	Harry Hampton Woods & Waters Journalism Award:  Jeff Dennis Jeff Dennis is the Outdoor Correspondent for the  Charleston Mercury newspaper and has used his stories and images to benefit the conservation movement.  His respect for the natural world is self-evident and he strives to stress the importance of sportsmanship and stewardship, while also informing readers about the history of the  sporting activity.  Mr. Dennis also works as a freelance writer for South Carolina Sportsman Magazine, South Carolina Wildlife Magazine, MyFish.com, and serves as the S.C. State publicity chairman for Ducks Unlimited.
	Legislative:  Kim Connolly Kim Connolly is a professor at the University of South Carolina’s School of Law and her passion for protecting South Carolina’s natural environment is evident as she  provides legal guidance, helps draft legislation, attends and hosts both legislative and educational meetings, speaks at conferences, and has testified before the United States House of Representatives on the importance of wetlands protections.  She has co-authored a supplement to both the Clean Water Handbook and Wetlands: Law and Policy: Understanding Section 404, which will provide guidance for regulating agencies nationwide.
	Communications:  Charlie Sowell Over the last several years, Charlie Sowell has consistently produced exceptional journalistic work demonstrating a strong outdoor ethic and commitment to conservation through his diligent research and exceptional investigative reporting on critical environmental issues affecting our state’s natural resources and wildlife.  He has preformed tenacious inquiry on the positions and policies of the state’s natural resources management and regulatory  agencies and those of our legislators.  Charlie Sowell’s excellent writings have educated tens of thousands of readers to the issues of the day, and have provoked thoughtful and robust debate on public policy regarding these resources.
	Water Conservation:  Friends of the Rivers Development on the flat, fragile lands in the Port Royal Sound watershed had increasingly threatened the habitat, the scenery, and the productivity of this unique natural  resource in 2001 when Nancy Schilling founded Friends of the Rivers.  Nancy set about the task of making the general public and the decision-makers keenly aware of what it takes to prevent damage to the fragile tidelands. A key program is the production of pithy public service messages on water-quality issues, reaching radio audiences of about 30,000 daily.  In 2007, Friends of the Rivers presented to the public the first of what will be an annual State-of-the-Rivers report card.
	Organization:  The Town of Irmo Over the last nine years, the Irmo Town Council has directed the planting of more than 1,300 trees in an effort to promote the health and well-being of the citizens.  The plan was designed to beautify main roads, residential areas, I-26 interchanges, and development of a Town Park.  More than $1,930,000 of  federal, state, local, and donated funds have been invested in the various projects.  Council Members have added “teeth” to the Zoning and Land        Development Ordinances to ensure that significant trees are protected. Police Officers, Code Enforcement Officers, and Town Officials remain vigilant in an effort to protect the forest and green spaces. For their dedication to provide a healthy, beautiful, and rich environment for future generations, we are proud to present the Town of Irmo with the Organization Conservation Award.
	Bootsie Manning Wildlife Habitat:  John Brubaker Even before he retired from teaching at the Pharmacy School at the Medical University of SC, John Brubaker was very active in resource conservation, and was a driving force behind the organization of the Low Country chapter of the SC Native Plant Society (SCNPS).  John has served as the chair of the Society's issues committee, where he reviews many US Fisheries Service, and other agency,   resource plans for their impact on the long-term health and diversity of our state’s plant and animal species.  In addition, John has been a strong force in the organization and leadership of the new SC chapter of the Exotic Pest Plant Council, where he currently serves as president.  This group has been   actively working to develop an information base and strategic plan to confront existing and emerging invasive plant problems in South Carolina.
	NWF Award: Richard Watkins Since 1965, National Wildlife Federation has been honoring conservation heroes through the National Conservation Achievement Awards.  It was established to honor individuals and organizations whose achievements in wildlife and natural resource conservation deserve national recognition. Since 1973, Richard Watkins has been a committed volunteer in the protection of a special old growth bottomland forest and its recent elevation to the status of Congaree National Park.  He first served as a leader in a Citizen’s Action Campaign to protect the Congaree Swamp. Richard has served continuously as the team’s point of     contact with legal counsel as archives researcher to establish a factual basis for the establishment and enlargement of the Park, and has either initiated or been a fundamental participant in these efforts.  Richard also led the effort to convince the State regulatory agency to face the importance of the Park as a watershed.
	Wildlife: Dr. Webb Smathers Webb Smathers spends numerous hours with students and young people in his community teaching them about the outdoors.  Webb’s research into the economics of wildlife, looking at issues such as crop damage and motor vehicle incidents involving deer, has made significant impact in economic development as well as quality of life for South Carolinians. In addition to having been on the SCWF Board of Directors for over 15 years, he holds a Governor’s appointment to the DNR Land, Water, and Conservation Advisory Council. He was Chair of the Board of the South Carolina Sportsman’s Coalition, Co-Chair of the South Carolina 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, Co-Chair of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee and was recognized by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and USDA as Outstanding Volunteer in 2000.
	Youth:  Jonathan Monts Even though he is only 8 years old, Jonathan Monts enjoys a lifestyle of being continually exposed to and learning about the great outdoors.  As a member of the Abbeville County Natural Resources 4-H Club, he prepared a demonstration for other members on wood duck boxes, and even installed five of them on family property to  benefit local wildlife. Along with his father and grandfather, he has planted approximately 50 trees, food plots, and habitat areas on their property in rural Abbeville County.  During the summer of 2008, Jonathan planted the F.A.C.E. for Wildlife food plot through 4-H—this food plot provides food and extra cover during a drought season.  Jonathan is also a member of Boy Scouts in Anderson County.  In addition to other Scout lessons, he has been able to help his father bring educational programs on wild turkeys and furbearers to share with other Scouts.
	Outdoor Ethics:  Rhonda Matthews Rhonda Matthews has piloted a new program called 4-H2O in Abbeville County. The 4-H2O program is a   water quality educational program which teaches kids through hands-on activities about their local watershed, hydrology, aquatic biology of streams and lakes, and works to identify and measure threats to these watersheds. Since Rhonda came on board with 4-H2O at the onset, she has been involved with shaping the program and its content, including the curriculum manual which was produced in the past few years.  The 4-H2O program has received many state and national awards, most recently being recognized as a 4-H Program of Distinction, the top honor for a 4-H program. As a result of her  efforts, hands-on water quality education is being taught as part of the school curriculums in many science classes across the state.
	Land Conservation:  The Graham Foundation Prior to his passing in 2003, Allen Graham was a successful businessperson and a member of one of Greenville’s leading families.  He had the foresight to establish the Graham Foundation and to provide significant funds for its charitable mission.  The Graham Foundation has proved to be a generous and consistent partner with conservation groups, contributing over $1 million in the last four years.  The Graham Foundation has provided matching funds for Lake Conestee Nature Park and the Naturaland Trust. They have provided a leadership private grant to protect Stumphouse Mountain and Issaqueena Falls.  The Foundation provided money to acquire 94 acres to add to the Ashmore and Chandler Heritage Trust Preserves and the Wildcat Wayside State Park.  Most recently, they have granted money towards the Nine Times Tract in Pickens County and a conservation easement protecting the 200-acre Asbury Hills Methodist Camp at the base of Caesar’s Head.
	Education:  Drew Lanham A Professor of Wildlife Ecology in the Clemson University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Drew Lanham’s research interests center upon the habitat      relationships of avifauna and herpetofauna in managed landscapes. As a teacher, his mission has been to foster in others a love for the natural world and ways and means to conserve our natural resources for future generations.  As one of the few African-Americans in the wildlife conservation field, he is committed to fostering ethnic  diversity in wildlife and natural resources-related careers. His leadership roles in organizations such as The Wildlife Society, SCWF, National Wildlife Federation, SC Audubon Society and National Audubon Society are providing the platform for Drew to bring issues of diversity to the table among high-profile decision makers who might not otherwise be exposed to these important issues.
	F. Bartow Culp Award: Kathy Stephens  F. Bartow Culp was a distinguished long-time leader of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, serving as president from 1965-1968.  He was our affiliate representative to the National Wildlife Federation, and then served on the NWF board of directors from 1968-1974.  He stood for the values of SCWF and protected them against threats with a constant commitment to conservation.  It is in his honor that the F. Bartow Culp Award was established to recognize distinguished service within our own ranks.  This year, we are proud to award the F. Bartow Culp Award to Kathy Stephens.  Kathy has been a member of the SCWF board since 2004 and has gone above and beyond the call of duty.  She is one who we can always count on to participate in any education, volunteer, or fundraising event.  She has lent her advice and counsel on organization and policy issues, and is always helpful in seeing various sides of any issue.  Kathy serves on the SCWF Wildlife Committee and has provided testimony on wildlife issues to the DNR board.  In 2005, Kathy graciously accepted the position of Chair of the SCWF Board of Directors a year earlier than she had planned to, and she hit the ground running.  She became even more involved in the daily workings of the SCWF staff, offering her guidance and assistance wherever needed.  Kathy was chair of the search committee for our new Executive Director in 2006, and helped to smooth the transition, assuring that all staff were communicating and working efficiently.  She is a devoted outdoorswoman, and especially enjoys turkey hunting.  In addition to her leadership at SCWF, she and her husband, Ron, are also very active with the Camo Coalition and the National Wild Turkey Federation.  For her commitment to the wildlife of South Carolina, and for her dedication to SCWF’s board of directors, Kathy Stephens is this year’s F. Bartow Culp award recipient.
	Conservationist of the Year Award: Kay McCutcheon Kay McCutcheon is retiring after 36 years with the US Fish and Wildlife Service where she provided exceptional service to that organization, to the wildlife of South Carolina, and to the visiting public at our National  Wildlife Refuges.  Kay has most recently served as Refuge “Park Ranger” at Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Clarendon County. However, she spent the majority of her career at the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge in Chesterfield County where she served in a similar capacity. At these locations, among their wildlife, botanical beauty, and their game and fish, Kay has successfully worked to establish and foster “friends groups”, other partners, research efforts, and public visitation, all toward the goal of increasing awareness of these Refuges and their resources. Because of her initiatives, there are now thousands of additional people (including educators, community and state leaders, and    others) in South Carolina who are familiar with the National Wildlife Refuge System, its lands, wildlife resources, and values. Kay’s “outreach’ approach at the Wildlife Refuges resulted in her becoming an active associate of the SCWF and its conservation/education programs. More than a decade ago she helped SCWF establish its “Working For Wildlife” program by setting up a highly effective annual work day at the Sandhills Refuge. As a result SCWF has been able to host many of our members, partners, and youngsters (scout troops and others) at the Sandhills Refuge working in the field to assist the refuge staff in its efforts to  protect the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.  Because of her highly dedicated and very successful career in advancing the goals of increasing public awareness about South Carolina’s National Wildlife Refuges and their wildlife values, and her establishment of long term and effective partners for these Refuges, we are pleased to honor Kay McCutcheon as the 2008 Conservationist of the Year.

Conservation Education Scholarship Winners

Each year, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation distributes educational grants to full-time students pursuing education at South Carolina schools of higher learning through the South Carolina Conservation Educational Foundation.  Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for these scholarships, which are determined on their past performance in       academia and in related community activities. 
Environmental education is a process of developing a world population that is aware of and concerned about the total environment and its associated problems, and which has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivations and commitment to work individually and           collectively toward solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones. 
To this end, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation is honored to be in the position to     present these scholarships.  The South Carolina Conservation Educational Foundation     receives contributions from Federation members and from the D. L. Scurry Foundation.

Patrick Hutchins is a Junior at Coastal Carolina University pursuing two Bachelor of Science degrees in Marine Science and Biology, and two Minor degrees in Environmental Science and Chemistry.  He hopes to one day research coral reefs and the effects that changing climatic conditions might have on the microbial ecology and over-all health of the reef habitat.  Patrick wants to conduct field research and increase the knowledge base on the interconnection of the oceans microbiology and changes in environmental conditions like pollution, temperature and pH changes, light intensity, etc. Patrick is currently employed as the Student Sustainability Coordinator for the Coastal Carolina University Campus and Community Sustainability Initiative.  He is also employed at CCU’s Environmental Quality Lab (EQL) where he is in charge of water quality testing requested by customers or local government agencies to monitor and ensure the safety of the area’s water.  Upon graduation from CCU Patrick plans to enter directly into the Ph.D. program at the University of Miami, in the Rosentiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, and complete his doctorate on the microbial changes occurring in corals. 
Michelle Johnston is pursuing her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of South Carolina.  She acquired her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, majoring in Marine Biology.  While a student there, her motivation and hard work earned her the position of crew leader at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center where she was  responsible for the well-being and medical care of sick sea turtles at the hospital.  For two summers, Michelle was awarded a research internship as a sea turtle field biologist at the USC Beaufort’s Pritchards Island. She has also worked for Walt   Disney World’s Living Seas and the Wrightsville Beach Surf Camp, based out of North Carolina. Michelle defended her Master’s thesis, “The Isolation of Fecal   Coliform Bacteria from the American Alligator,” in August of 2007.  She was awarded the Arnold School of Public Health Graduate Research Fellowship, and she is continuing on in her department as a doctoral candidate studying coastal water quality issues and endangered species, and participating in microbiology research at the NOAA Center for Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research in  Charleston, SC. As she continues on in the department as a research fellow, Michelle will use this time to expand upon her present research regarding coastal water quality.