September 2024 - South Carolina Wildlife Federation

September eNewsletter

Posted on September 11, 2024May 14, 2025 by admin

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It’s almost fall! Deer season is underway, and duck season dates have been announced. Did you know that
you can purchase your conservation duck stamps here at SCWF? This September you may notice monarch butterflies laying eggs and
migrating through the state as well as spider webs glistening in the morning dew. American persimmon fruits also
ripen this month.

SCWF is devoted to helping wildlife thrive in our state, and there are many ways you can become involved
with us! Support our mission by entering the photo contest, taking a class, enjoying fine dining, volunteering, or
donating.

2024 Annual Wildlife Photography Contest

open through October 31,
2024

South Carolina Wildlife Federation is sponsoring our 22nd Annual Wildlife Photography Contest. Send us your best
photographs that capture the natural beauty of South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats – in your own backyard
or anywhere in the state. Registration is only $15, which covers up to three submissions in each of the following
categories: Carolina Critters, Scenes of SC, and People in Nature. Read more about each category, and register
here:

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024/22nd-annual-wildlife-photography-contest

Fall Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation
Dinners

If you haven’t been to one of these five-course, wine-paired conservation dinners yet, please join us at one –
or both – this fall! These delicious dinners are unique because they feature dishes created by executive chefs
and inspired by imperiled bird species, and as each course is served, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck
will share information about each species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive. On
September 25, join us at The Willcox in Aiken for a menu created by Executive Chef Philip Friesen. On November
13, join us at Between the Antlers in Georgetown for a menu created by Executive Chef Chelsea Cribb and Chef
Scott Dwyer. Use the links below to secure your tickets and see the creative menus inspired by this year’s
featured species. We can’t wait!

Thank you to our presenting sponsors, Security Federal Bank and the Litchfield Company, and RNDC Wine,
our wine sponsor.

POWR Up: Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat

Santee, SC

October 4 – 5, 2024

“Small group size, amazing instructors, absolutely fantastic!

Lots of staff for our small groups so our instructors were able
to pinpoint issues and help us improve.”

Comments like these from POWR Series participants inspire us to continue to provide quality instruction for
women and their outdoor adventures! Registration is now open for POWR Up, an overnight retreat in Santee that
offers the opportunity to learn outdoor recreation skills in a non-competitive environment. There are three
class sessions, which are three hours each, including topics like Boating and Trailering, Bass Fishing,
Outdoor Photography, Hunting in South Carolina, Pine Needle Basketry, Kayak Fishing, and more. All gear and
equipment are provided for this event. Each participant will leave the classes feeling confident and ready to
try their new skills on their own.

POWR+ Education Classe

Due to the demand for our Palmetto Outdoors Women Retreat or POWR, we have added (+) one-day workshops
across the state. POWR+ events are open to all women whether you have attended the retreat or have yet to do so.
Check out our 2024 fall offerings below and register quickly if you are interested in joining us because each
class is limited to 12 participants to ensure a quality experience.

National Hunting & Fishing Day

Saturday, September 14, 9 am to 3 pm

Seneca, SC

Have you been to National Hunting & Fishing Day yet? This annual FREE family event is open to
the public and is a great way to try out many different outdoor activities such as fishing, archery, fly-tying
and fly fishing. All gear is provided! SCWF will have a booth again this year. Check out our blog post about SCWF’s booth at last year’s event.

Get Involved!

Saturday, September 14, Litter Sweep at Archer’s Lake in
Irmo

Wednesday, September 18, BioBlitz at Ballentine Library in
Irmo

Here are two ways you can get involved with us this month! On Saturday, September 14, join us for a
litter sweep at Archer’s Lake in Irmo to help make this lake a safer home for wildlife and people. This event
is a partnership with the Harbison Community Association and Keep the Midlands Beautiful.

On Wednesday, September, 18, come count pollinators with us at the Richland Library of Ballentine
for a BioBlitz in the pollinator gardens! Participants will have a brief intro on pollinators and how to use
iNaturalist for recording our observations, then we will head out to the lush pollinator gardens to see how
many bees, butterflies, and other species we can find. Use the links below to sign up to volunteer for each
event.

Oyster Roast Fundraiser at Bowens Island

Sunday, November 10, 5- 7 pm

Charleston, SC

Come feast on delicious wild oysters with SCWF and help raise funds for coastal wildlife conservation!
Ticket sales are now live for SCWF’s oyster roast fundraiser at the iconic Bowens Island in Charleston on
Sunday, November 1oth from 5:00-7:00 pm! There will be fresh, delicious oysters, beer & wine, vegetarian
options, and a raffle. If you haven’t been to Bowens Island yet, come check out this unique location that is
a local favorite known for fresh seafood and a laid-back atmosphere, right on the marsh. Early registrants
can snag one of 25 spots for the opportunity to get a sneak peek at one of South Carolina’s newest state
parks, May Forest on James Island.

News & Notes

On Saturday, September 28th, SCWF is excited to partner with the Palmetto Trail on National
Public Lands Day for a nature hike along the Awendaw Passage. Ari Hippensteal, SCWF’s Community Outreach
Manager, will be there to help attendees look for native wildlife and encourage participants to take part
in nature photography. Sign up for this free event here.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Plishing Challenge! Check out our blog post announcing the grand prize winners to see how many fish
were caught this year and how many bags of litter were collected. We were impressed!
WAIT Partner, Michelin US-2, located right outside of Anderson, SC, is happy to announce they
are no longer using pesticides, fertilizers, or chemical weed treatment on their property! Check out our
blog post here to learn more about how they are working to increase
biodiversity.

2024 Plishing Challenge Winners Announced

Posted on September 6, 2024March 7, 2025 by admin

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2024 SCWF Plishing Challenge! Everyone who entered something into the challenge, either litter they collected from their local waterways or a fish they caught, will receive a small token of our appreciation.

We are thrilled at the amount of litter that was collected this year totaling 1080 grocery sized bags of litter. And approximately 700 fish were entered with the majority of those being released for extra points in the challenge.

A huge thanks to our amazing sponsors for making this happen for our third year-Palmetto State Armory, Palmetto Pride, Angling Women, Local Boy Outfitters, AFTCO, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. And thanks again to all who participated in this incredible event promoting clean waterways, conservation, and fishing fun!

WAIT Partner Update: Michelin US-2

Posted on September 6, 2024May 14, 2025 by admin

With the goal of increasing biodiversity on their property, Michelin US-2, located right outside of Anderson, SC, is happy to announce they are no longer using pesticides, fertilizers, or chemical weed treatment on their property. They are working towards removing all invasive Callery (Bradford) pear trees, which will allow native vegetation to replace this ecologically destructive tree species.

Michelin recently partnered with Furman University and Dr. John Quinn, professor of Biology, to perform multiple species inventories to record what kind of flora and fauna is present on their property. In addition to seven turtle species found on the property, great blue herons, bald eagles, and a variety of frog species were recorded too.

Species like the ones pictured above are thriving at US-2’s property. Image Credits L to R:
Eastern Box Turtle Strolling in the Leaves by Jenna Plating and
Greer’s Great Blue Heron by Katie Derhay.

With the good work being done on US-2’s property, the nature trail, which was established for employees and their families to enjoy, should be teaming with a healthy variety of wildlife for years to come. Thank you, Michelin, for providing yet another example of your company working to improve habitat conditions for wildlife throughout SC. And congratulations on celebrating 50 years at this site!

Why WAIT?

SCWF Partners with conservation-minded businesses throughout the state who want to help wildlife thrive by enhancing their properties and providing educational opportunities for their employees and communities. Read more about the WAIT Program
, and how to join
here.

Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat (POWR) Series Opens the Door to Outdoor Adventures

Posted on September 3, 2024May 14, 2025 by admin

For media inquiries contact: BeBe Dalton Harrison, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, bebe@scwf.org, (803) 256-0670

“Small group size, amazing instructors, absolutely fantastic! Lots of staff for our small groups so our instructors were able to pinpoint issues and help us improve.” Comments like these from POWR Series participants inspire the South Carolina Wildlife Federation to continue to provide quality instruction for women and their outdoor adventures.

This educational program has grown, from a weekend of introductory outdoor activities, to a progression of topics that help participants build knowledge and confidence in outdoor skills. After learning the basics with patient and knowledgeable instructors at POWR, participants are ready to build on what they learned at POWR Up and in POWR+ events. These longer and more in-depth programs foster their newfound skills and build on those they already have, giving them the confidence to participate on their own or with like-minded women they may meet at the events.

Registration for the October 4-5 POWR Up is open to anyone wanting to build on their outdoor skills. Set in beautiful Santee State Park, participants will have the opportunity to register for up to 3 classes including topics like Boating and Trailering, Bass Fishing, Outdoor Photography, Hunting in South Carolina, Pine Needle Basketry, Kayak Fishing, and more. All gear and equipment is provided for this event and the small class sizes make this such a valuable experience for the instructors and the participants. As one participant described, “POWR keeps me connected to like-minded women in an atmosphere that brings me back to my beloved Girl Scout days. (It is) A way to experience the outdoors without having to own all the equipment needed for all the activities I want to experience.”

BeBe Dalton Harrison, Director of Education at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, organizes POWR and wants to invite women who want more experience in the outdoors to join in this year’s event. “POWR Up builds on basic skills to help women feel more confident spending time outdoors.” says Harrison. “We want women to not only learn outdoor skills, but to take what they learn and continue it with friends and family, and in some cases develop a passion for it,” Harrison explains. She continues, “We want women to move from awareness of these amazing opportunities to participation in their own outdoor adventures. Women can confidently invite others to go fishing, boating, birding, and more.”

In addition to the fall POWR Up event, two POWR+ events are scheduled for the month of September. POWR+ events are one day sessions that run from 10 am to 2 pm offering an in-depth look at a specific topic. Registration is also open for these two POWR+ events.

● The first is POWR+ Inshore Fishing with Artificial Lures with Captain Tanya Dowdy where participants will learn techniques to fish with many different types of artificial lures including hard baits, soft plastics, floats, and more. Participants will get the chance to meet at one of South Carolina’s newest State Parks, May Forest. There will be an instructional portion along with the opportunity to fish using their new skills.

● The second is: POWR+ Beach Ecology with Naturalist Amber Von Harten will introduce participants to our coastal environment at the beautiful Botany Bay. Participants will learn about the beach environment, flora and fauna, and shell identification.

The POWR Series is presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation with generous support from organizations and volunteers. Supporters who help make these events possible include the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Bass Pro Shops (Greenville Store), Nature Adventure Outfitters, Angling Women, Chattooga River Fly Shop, and Three Sisters Essentials. These partnerships enable us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert instructors.

To learn more about the POWR Series, we invite women to visit www.scwf.org for more information. We suggest that you register early for these fun and educational experiences.