Junior Naturalists had a great time learning about owls & what they eat, dissecting owl pellets, and roasting marshmallows over the fire while we listened for owls. Huge thanks to the Hendricks family for hosting, and to Dee Dee Williams and the Midlands Master Naturalist Association for sharing their knowledge with the kids!
Month: November 2016
Autumn Botany at Sesqui
Our Autumn Botany class at Sesqui was a great success! SCWF’s newest instructor, Dr. John Nelson of the USC Herbarium, shared his expertise and his passion with our group of enthusiastic naturalists. Here is a list of the plants discussed during the day:
Ageratum conyzoides, Blue Mist Flower
Acathospermum australe, Star Burr Weed
Fanwort, Cabomba caroliniana
Watershield, Brasenia schreberi
Desmodium species, Beannie Weanie Plant
Angelstem Primrose Willow, Ludwigia leptocarpa
Persicaria saggitata, tear thumb
Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis
Elephant’s Foot, Elephantopus tomentosus
Apios americana, Ground nut
Flat-top Goldenrod, Euthamia graminifolia
Tag Alder, Alnus incana serrulata
Fetterbush (Nascar plant), Lyonia lucida
Gallberry, Ilex coriacea
Swamp Titi, Cyrilla racemiflora
Inkberry, Ilex glabra
Golden Aster Grass-leaved, Chrysopsis graminifolia
Sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum
Sparkleberry, Vaccinium arboreum
Muscadine Grape, Vitis rotundifolia
Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica
Blackjack Oak, Quercus marilandica
Post Oak, Quercus stellata
Smilax, Smilax laurifolia
Horse Sugar, Symplocos tinctoria
Black Cherry, Prunus serotina
Dog Hobble, Leucothoe axillaris
Bracken Fern, Pteridium aquilinum
Woodwardia areolata, chain fern
Short Needle Pine, Pinus echinata
Wild Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora
Climbing Hemp Vine, Mikania scandens
Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis
Yellow Jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens
Viburnum, Viburnum nudum
Green Arum, Peltandra virginica
American Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana
Winged Sumac, Rhus copallinum
False Nettle, Boehmeria cylindrica
Peppervine, Nekemias arborea
Beggar Lice, Hackelia virginiana Desmodium sp.
Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum
White Aster, Symphyotrichum racemosum
Hawthorn, Crataegus, sp.
(thanks to Dee Dee Williams for taking great notes!)
New WAIT Site Certified at Shaw Industries
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) certified Shaw Industries Group, Inc., Plant 8S as a Wildlife And Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) site on June 16th. The W.A.I.T. program recognizes industries who are dedicated to protecting the environment and keep wildlife needs in mind when making their land management decisions. Shaw joins 28 other plants in the state with this distinction.
Shaw Industries Group, Inc., Plant 8S is a nylon and polyester fiber manufacturing facility located in Columbia, South Carolina that has more than 300 employees. The plant’s products are used to make a variety of different types and styles of nylon and polyester carpet. Shaw Industries is the world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floor covering provider. The company manufactures and distributes carpet, custom rugs, hardwood, laminate, resilient, and tile and stone flooring products for residential and commercial applications worldwide. A recognized environmental leader, Shaw takes a holistic approach to sustainability including a keen focus on its 2030 goals related to water, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, safety and designing to Cradle to Cradle protocols.
SCWF acknowledged that Shaw is proudly committed to being good stewards of the environment. The W.A.I.T. certification recognizes that Shaw Plant 8S has taken a leading role in environmental protection, in part by setting aside property around the plant that includes planting food plots for wildlife, creating two butterfly gardens, constructing hawk perches, installing duck and bird boxes and building numerous walking trails for its employees to enjoy the abundance of wildlife along the Saluda River in Lexington County. Associates from all departments are involved in W.A.I.T. projects.