Released 1/23/12 - SC Wildlife Federation hires director of partnerships and outreach to facilitate rural alliance initiatives

New position to help merge economic development and conservation in SC

The Rural Resource Coalition SC, an unprecedented collaboration of groups representing conservation, tourism, affordable housing, community development, agriculture and forestry in South Carolina, is poised to spur economic development in rural areas at the same time conserving the state’s natural resources.

S.C. Wildlife Federation has hired Sara Hummel Rajca as director of partnerships and outreach to help facilitate alliance initiatives. Hummel Rajca will be working with civic, business, conservation and community leaders across the state and conducting meetings in all 46 counties.

“There is strength in numbers,” Hummel Rajca said, “And we are working together to conserve the state’s resources – its people and land.”
 
The intention of the coalition, Hummel Rajca said, is to better the economy and life for people in rural areas through responsible utilization of natural resources. For example, a park or lake can be developed as a tourism attraction, stimulating jobs and preserving green space.

Similarly, an energy efficiency initiative in a rural community can conserve natural resources, save homeowners money, and provide training and jobs for workers who perform energy retrofits.

Ben Gregg, executive director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation said, “Sara has a genuine interest in grassroots democracy and at every step in her career, she has mobilized citizens in improving their communities.  She brings considerable communications skill to the job.”

Hummel Rajca, a native of Michigan, moved from Arizona where she worked as an environmental planner for Pima Association of Governments, and spent two years as solar outreach coordinator and constituent services representative in Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ district office.

Coming from a desert environment, Hummel Rajca is especially delighted with South Carolina’s bountiful waterways. “I like the work that SCWF is doing,” she said. The conservation group “works with the citizens to preserve resources for activities they enjoy, from hiking and kayaking to hunting and fishing.” 

Released 12/09/11 - Raising Funds, Conserving Wildlife: New Development Director, Harley Carpenter, Begins with SCWF

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) has hired Harley Carpenter, an experienced fundraiser, to support the organization’s efforts to conserve South Carolina’s invaluable wildlife and natural resources.

A Hartsville-native, Carpenter brings more than a decade of experience in non-profit and higher educations settings to her new position, most recently serving as Director of Development at USC’s College of Education.

Her main goals are to increase membership in SCWF’s Hampton-Heyward Society (gifts of $1,000+), named for two of the organization’s founders Harry Hampton and Zan Heyward, and to increase planned giving.

“Harley’s enthusiasm and work ethic will serve the federation well as we step up our outreach to current and potential donors,” says Ben Gregg, the Federation’s Executive Director. “It’s an exciting move for us,” he added.

Carpenter said she is enjoying her new role, which allows her to be outdoors more. As the mother of two small children, she also values the family outings sponsored by SCWF. “We are teaching children about what they can do, as well, to protect nature and wildlife,” she says.

The mission of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation is to advocate for wildlife, habitat and the environment, educate citizens in the conservation ethic, and support outdoor traditions. For more information, go to www.scwf.org 

Released 09/26/11 - Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Restoration in South Carolina

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation recently partnered with the National Wildlife Federation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to assist in implementing the vision of the Range-wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine ecosystems with the full spectrum of ecological, economic and social values. SCWF and NWF will work with land trusts in the areas surrounding the Francis Marion National Forest (FMNF) and will reach out to African American Leaders and landowners in the low country area to accelerate progress in longleaf pine conservation. SCWF and NWF project will utilize a mix of technical workshops, field days, public agency personnel including NRCS and consulting foresters.

The coastal plain of South Carolina was once the home of extensive longleaf pine forests.  These forests provided quality timber and other forest products to generations of South Carolinians.  During the last century much of this ecosystem was destroyed and replaced with  short rotation pine species to supply the pulpwood market.  This resulted in a loss of habitat for many indigenous species of plants and animals.  Restoring longleaf pine forests will help restore these species, mitigate the impacts of  climate change on many species, and provide more and better opportunities for landowners to manage their forest for multiple objectives including income opportunities for wood and fiber products, biodiversity, recreation, wilderness and wildlife, carbon sequestration, and biomass. SCWF is committed to encouraging the restoration of this ecosystem, especially with small landowners.

For more information about this project please contact Steve Moore This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Amadou Diop at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

South Carolina 2011 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information
Deadline of September 30th approaching

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land to address concerns such as soil erosion and productivity, grazing management, water quality, animal waste, and forestry concerns. EQIP also assists eligible small-scale farmers who have historically not participated in or ranked high enough to be funded in previous program sign ups.

There is a continuous signup for EQIP; however, to increase your chances of funding, apply by September 30. Funding selections will be announced in the second quarter of 2012. Producers interested in applying should visit their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible to prepare their applications.

In South Carolina, EQIP will pay 75 percent of the costs of eligible conservation practices under the general sign-up. Historically Underserved who are Limited Resource, Socially Disadvantaged, and Beginning Farmers are eligible for 90 percent cost share.  Those to be considered Socially Disadvantaged for this program are American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders.  Incentive payments may be made to encourage a farmer to adopt land management practices, such as nutrient management, manure management, integrated pest management, precision farming, and wildlife habitat management.
 
All sign-ups are conducted at USDA Service Centers in South Carolina. More information on NRCS conservation programs can be found at www.SC.nrcs.usda.gov under programs. 

Released 03/25/11 - Announcing the Midlands Master Naturalist Course!

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation and Clemson University have partnered to present the 2011 Midlands Master Naturalist course.  Based out of Columbia, the 6-week course will be held each Thursday and Friday from 8:30am until 2:30pm starting on May 5th and ending on June 10th.  The course will be taught by Naturalist Austin Jenkins, who will draw upon other experts to address certain topics.  Jenkins is a naturalist who teaches biology at USC Sumter, and in partnership with others, he has graduated three classes of Master Naturalists in the past.
 
The goal of the course is to train participants to be better naturalists.  No prerequisite or prior knowledge is required.  Field trips will be arranged for students to learn identification skills, ecological concepts, and natural history of the plants, animals, and ecosystems encountered – students will explore the swamplands of the Congaree, the lilies of Landsford Canal, the granitic domes of Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, and many other natural areas. 

The Midlands Master Naturalist course is part of Clemson University’s statewide Master Naturalist Program.  Participants completing the course and 30 hours of approved volunteer service will receive Master Naturalist certification and will be eligible to join a local chapter and participate in advanced training courses. 

A tentative syllabus and much more information, including registration, is available at www.scwf.org.  The course has limited capacity and will take people in the order that they register.  For more information, contact Austin Jenkins at (803) 243-1444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation facilitates effective habitat conservation and respect for outdoor traditions for current and future generations through statewide leadership, education, advocacy and partnerships. More information can be obtained about the organization by visiting www.scwf.org or calling 803-256-0670.

Released 03/01/11 - GUIDED FAMILY NATURE WALKS GET KIDS INTERESTED IN OUTDOORS

MIDLANDS – Learn about nature in your neighborhood by bringing the whole family out for a nature walk!  The South Carolina Wildlife Federation has teamed up with the City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Department and the Richland Conservation District to offer 2 guided Family Nature Walks – Saturday March 19th at the Carolina Children’s Garden on the grounds of the Clemson University Sandhill Research & Education Center (900 Clemson Road), and Saturday, March 26th at the north entrance to Riverfront Park (4120 River Drive).  Both walks will begin at 10:00 am.  There is no fee for the walks, but advance registration is required – (803) 609-4778 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

Naturalists will lead families on short walks through the parks and point out interesting plants, rocks, insects, and wildlife.  Families will begin to understand and appreciate how everything in nature is connected, and how wildlife is affected by human actions. 

These nature walks are being offered as part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour program - designed to get kids outside, and away from electronics, for at least 1 hour every day.  Today's overscheduled kids are increasingly "plugged in" to electronic devices and media and unplugged from the fundamental and formative experience of nature in their own neighborhood.

The National Wildlife Federation recommends that parents give their kids a "Green Hour" every day, a time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. A growing wave of research indicates that children who spend time outdoors play more creatively, have lower stress levels, have more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems, experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD, and have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment. For more information on the Green Hour program, please visit www.greenhour.org.

The SCWF wishes to express special thanks to supporting sponsors and partners of the Midlands Green Hour program: Richland County Conservation Commission, the City of Columbia, and the Richland Conservation District.   

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation facilitates effective habitat conservation and respect for outdoor traditions for current and future generations through statewide leadership, education, advocacy and partnerships. More information can be obtained about the organization by visiting www.scwf.org or calling 803-256-0670. 

RELEASED 02/01/11 - GETTING KIDS OUTDOORS IN THE MIDLANDS

MIDLANDS – The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) has developed some tools to help parents, caregivers and educators to encourage children to play outdoors.  The Nature Passport includes suggestions to get your Green Hour in the Midlands of SC, such as flying a kite in Finlay Park, camping at Dreher Island or Sesquicentennial State Parks, walking on the boardwalk at Congaree National Park, etc.   After logging 20 hours spent outside, kids can return their Passport to the SCWF for special prizes!  

The National Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour program is designed to get kids outside, and away from electronics, for at least 1 hour every day.  Today's overscheduled kids are increasingly "plugged in" to electronic devices and media and unplugged from the fundamental and formative experience of nature in their own neighborhood.

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, refers to this nature-child disconnect as "nature deficit disorder." One of the primary symptoms is the replacement of the green space by the screen space as the occupier of children's free time. Indeed, a Kaiser Family Foundation study found that the average American child spends 44 hours per week (more than 6 hours a day!) staring at some kind of electronic screen. Studies have linked excessive television viewing to obesity, violence, and even lower intelligence in kids.

The National Wildlife Federation recommends that parents give their kids a "Green Hour" every day, a time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. This can take place in a garden, a backyard, the park down the street, or any place that provides safe and accessible green spaces where children can learn and play.

A growing wave of research indicates that children who spend time outdoors are healthier, overall, than their indoor counterparts.  Children who regularly spend unstructured time outside play more creatively, have lower stress levels, have more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems, experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD, and have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment.

To print your Nature Passports, visit our website at: www.scwf.org. 

Although these Passports have suggestions for places to visit in the Midlands, children from any area of the state are eligible to participate!  Have your kids brainstorm about ways they can get Green Hours in their local area (and send the lists in to the SCWF so we can share it with others in your area!)   

For more information on the Green Hour program, please visit www.greenhour.org, a website rich in family-friendly content and which hosts a supportive virtual community where families can learn, explore, and share their outdoor experiences and backyard adventures.

The SCWF wishes to express special thanks to supporting sponsors of the Midlands Green Hour program: Richland County Conservation Commission and the City of Columbia. 

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation facilitates effective habitat conservation and respect for outdoor traditions for current and future generations through statewide leadership, education, advocacy and partnerships. More information can be obtained about the organization by visiting www.scwf.org or calling 803-256-0670.

Released 01/03/11 - South Carolina Wildlife Federation Presents
Seminar on Wildlife Habitat Creation

TIMMONSVILLE – The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF), in cooperation with Honda of South Carolina, Mfg., Inc., will present a Wildlife Habitat Workshop on Thursday, February 10, 2011 from 11:00 am - 3:00pm at the Honda facility in Timmonsville, South Carolina. This workshop will cover the basics of wildlife habitat creation at home, school or work, building a Carolina Fence™ Garden, Wildlife and Industry Together (W.A.I.T.™), attracting butterflies to your yard, sustainable gardening practices, planning your habitat, and finding local resources.  Participants will also be taken on an outdoor tour of Honda’s wildlife habitat project areas.  A $10 fee will cover materials and lunch will be provided by Honda. For questions or to register, interested individuals can contact the SCWF at (803) 256-0670 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ongoing development, both industrial and housing, continues to destroy or alter wildlife habitat as South Carolina’s human population grows.  In an effort to promote the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat, the SCWF has forged partnerships with the National Wildlife Federation, other conservation organizations, agencies, and environmentally aware businesses.  These strategic partnerships have helped us to build a habitats program that serves homeowners, corporate landowners, schools and community groups - building a network of habitats across the state.  Landowners can have their property declared a Certified Wildlife Habitat by providing food, water, cover, and places to raise young for wildlife.  This workshop will provide the information necessary to certify a wildlife habitat. 

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation facilitates effective habitat conservation and respect for outdoor traditions for current and future generations through statewide leadership, education, advocacy and partnerships. More information can be obtained about the organization by visiting www.scwf.org or calling 803-256-0670.