The town of Chapin was recently certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat! Chapin is now the 13th Certified Wildlife Habitat in our state and has joined over 300 other communities across the nation making a difference for wildlife. Chapin earned this impressive achievement by certifying over 180 homes, 3 parks, 4 schools, 3 places of of worship, and 5 businesses as Certified Wildlife Habitats.

Activity Highlights

This certification effort was led by Cindy Chin and the Chapin Garden Club, who named the project “Chapin Goes Green” when they registered their community back in June of 2021. These are just a few of their many accomplishments that have created healthier wildlife habitat and a healthier community:

Bluebird trails

Worked with local schools to install bluebird nesting boxes, which now make up several bluebird trails that are maintained and monitored for nesting activity.

Educational classes

Held programs on a variety of topics at the Chapin library, which included migratory birds, snakes, owls, and tips for creating colorful wildlife habitat.

Pollinator garden

Installed a 70-foot Carolina Fence pollinator garden at Chapin Town Hall, providing a sanctuary for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.

Chapin Goes Green!

The community held a celebration at Chapin Town Hall on June 18th with the Chapin Garden Club and many other stakeholders who were involved with the process. The Mayor of Chapin made a proclamation in support of Chapin’s enrollment in the Certified Community Wildlife Habitat Program and recognized the outstanding efforts of the community’s commitment to becoming more wildlife-friendly. Kelly Long, Wildlife Habitat Chair of the Garden Club of SC and leader of the Greer Community Wildlife Habitat also gave remarks, along with David Stoudenmire, Jr., President of the Garden Club of SC and William Slaunwhite, Treasurer of the SC Bluebird Society. The Eaglets Making an Impact Club presented a video created by students at Chapin Elementary School showing the steps to certifying your wildlife habitat.

SCWF staff were honored to be a part of the ceremony and certification process. SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck helped with the certification by installing nesting boxes, presenting on wildlife topics, and installing native plants at Chapin Town Hall’s lush pollinator fence garden. Both he and Sara Green, SCWF’s Executive Director, spoke at the reception.