[Image description]: W.A.I.T. logo featuring monarch butterfly

[Image description]: W.A.I.T. logo featuring monarch butterfly

Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT)

WAIT is designed to encourage corporate landowners to integrate wildlife habitat needs into corporate land management decisions.

As South Carolina becomes increasingly developed, there is less land available for wildlife. Corporate landowners can offset habitat loss by devoting their under-utilized lands to wildlife. This is achieved by matching site employees who are interested in wildlife with community partners to develop habitat plans. Our WAIT program assists corporations, employees, facility neighbors, and other groups who desire to develop environmental projects, in partnership with each other.

To learn more about the WAIT Program, check out this video of SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, Jay Keck, discussing the benefits of this vital partnership.

[Image Description] SCWF’s Jay Keck (left) with Schneider Electric team members in front of their W.A.I.T. sign.

SCWF’s Jay Keck (left) with Schneider Electric team members in front of their W.A.I.T. sign.

Benefits of joining WAIT:

  • Increased habitat for South Carolina’s native wildlife.

  • Enhanced reputation among the community as a responsible environmental steward.

  • Cost savings through reduced land management spending.

  • Opportunities for new partnerships with community groups including schools, civic organizations, and conservation groups.

  • Access to SCWF staff for exclusive environmental education classes for employees or industry partners.

  • Organization spotlight feature on SCWF website, newsletters, and social media.

  • Positive media coverage opportunities through WAIT certification, signage display and related media events.

[Image Description]: Fenced garden habitat at Lonza W.A.I.T. site

Carolina Fence Garden habitat at Lonza W.A.I.T. site

[Image Description]: Osprey flying over it’s nest at Duke Energy: Catawba Nuclear Station W.A.I.T. site

Osprey flying over it’s nest at Duke Energy’s Catawba Nuclear Station W.A.I.T. site

GetTING your WAIT Certification:

Becoming a WAIT partner is easy! Your organization may already have programs in place that count towards your certification process. SCWF staff will work directly with you to determine projects suited for your organization to help you qualify.

Here are the main components required for certification, and some examples of each: 

1. Wildlife Habitat Enhancement:

2. Employee Education:

  • Guest speakers on nature topics

  • Office display with pictures & info

  • Articles in company newsletter

  • Signage posted near habitat projects

3. Community Outreach:

  • Participation in Adopt-A-Highway or other conservation programs

  • Partnerships with schools, scouts, or other civic organizations

4. Support of SCWF Programs:

  • There are renewal and application fees associated with being a WAIT partner. Your donation to SCWF helps us create wildlife habitat and education opportunities across the entire state.

WAIT Certified Sites:

3M, Greenville
BMW Manufacturing Corp., Spartanburg
BMW ITRC, Greenville
Bridgestone, Graniteville
Colgate-Palmolive, Greenwood
Duke Energy - Bad Creek Pumped Storage Station
Duke Energy - Catawba Nuclear Station
Duke Energy - Mill Creek Combustion Turbine Station
Duke Energy - Oconee Nuclear Site
Duke Energy - Lee Steam Station
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics Division, LLC, Anderson
Honda of South Carolina, Timmonsville
Lonza, Greenwood
Mark Anthony Brewing, Columbia
Martin Marietta, Berkeley Quarry
Michelin, Sandy Springs
Michelin, Starr
Michelin - Laurens Proving Grounds
Michelin - Lexington
Michelin MARC, Greenville
Renewable Water Resources (ReWa), Durbin Creek Facility
Renewable Water Resources (ReWa), Mauldin Road Facility Schneider Electric, Hopkins
Shaw Industries, Columbia
Spartanburg Water, Fairforest Water Treatment Plant
Spartanburg Water, Lake Blalock
Spartanburg Water, Lake Bowen
Spartanburg Water, Main Office U.S. Silica Company
Westinghouse Electric Company, Columbia

For more information about the WAIT Program, contact SCWF Industry Habitat Manager, Jay Keck, via email here, or call him directly at 803-315-4336. You can also call our office at (803) 256-0670.  Why WAIT? Get started today!

The above 9” x 12” habitat sign is available for purchase here.

Check out our 18 by 24 inch garden signs listed below, which can be customized for your business, and will include the WAIT logo as well. These are made out of ACM/Aluminum Composite Material with a plastic core. Click on the signs below to make your purchase!