Keep South Carolina Wild

Month: October 2025

Shucking Oysters for Conservation: A Celebration of Community and Wildlife

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This past Sunday, we gathered at Bowens Island for our annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser, and it was a wonderful afternoon! Thank you to everyone who joined us to eat fresh, delicious oysters, have good conversations, and to support our mission to conserve and restore South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitat through education and advocacy. Because Bowen’s participates in SCDNR’s oyster shell recycling program, our used oyster shells will be returned to the environment to build new reefs.

 

Our staff was delighted to get to meet new friends of all ages and connect with long-time supporters who all came together for this important cause: wildlife conservation in our state.

 

Since Bowens Island is right on the marsh, our guests were treated to a beautiful backdrop filled with wildlife. During the afternoon, guests were able to see a bevy of birds including wood storks, boat-tailed grackles, ring-billed gulls, brown pelicans, snowy egrets, little blue herons, and white ibis, while anglers were fishing in the background. A few lucky attendees even spotted a family of dolphins! This picturesque day was a great reminder of the need to keep working together to protect South Carolina’s 350,000 acres of marsh because of its incredible biodiversity and the opportunities it provides for recreation and connection to nature.

We are grateful to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact for wildlife. All donations made to SCWF, including the proceeds from this event, stay right here in the state to help our local wildlife. We hope to see everyone again next year!

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Thank you to our raffle item donors!

Chris Cannon

Crosby’s Fish & Seafood Co.

SCWF

 

POWR+ Handgun Orientation: Building Confidence, Competence, and Connection to Nature

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On Monday, October 13, fifteen women gathered at the Wateree Range for the POWR+ Handgun Orientation, a full day of learning and hands-on experience. This one-day workshop is part of the expanded Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat (POWR) program, whose mission is to offer programs that provide women of all ages with the skills needed to participate in outdoor recreation. This class fits right into that mission to help women feel confident, capable, and connected to the outdoors. Whether learning to handle a firearm, identify native wildlife, or explore new outdoor skills, every POWR+ class builds community and self-assurance. 

Designed for women with little to no handgun experience, the class provided a supportive, low-stress environment to learn safe firearm handling, basic techniques, and responsible range practices.

SSgt Ray Lewis and his fellow SCDNR Conservation Officers offered classroom instruction first. SSgt Lewis’ expertise and enthusiasm helped participants feel comfortable and confident. 

After learning the fundamentals, participants had the opportunity to practice on the range, exploring different handguns and putting their new skills into action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During lunch, SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan, shared an engaging presentation on the native wildlife and plants found around the Wateree Range. Her talk highlighted the unique connection between conservation and recreation. This reminds everyone that being outdoors safely also means being aware of and appreciating the natural world around us.

 

A big thank-you also goes to the SCDNR Conservation Officers whose professionalism and encouragement made this class such an unforgettable experience.

 

 

 

The POWR+ Handgun Orientation was more than just a pre-CWP class. It was an empowering, hands-on introduction to firearm safety, confidence, and community. Events like this capture the heart of the POWR initiative: helping women build skills, confidence, and a lifelong connection to the outdoors.

 

Thank you to the National Shooting Sports Foundation for sponsoring this event! All participants received a safety vest, ear and eye protection, a stylish orange/camo Richardson hat, and lunch. 

 

 

Sporting Clays Competition Fundraiser: A Shared Passion for Conservation

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On a beautiful fall day in October, nine four-person teams from across South Carolina competed in a friendly sporting clays competition at the Palmetto Outdoors Shooting Facility in Swansea. The challenging 15-station course offered a variety of high and low shots that a shooter  might need to make while hunting. After the competition concluded, everyone came together to enjoy a BBQ lunch from the Palmetto Pig.

This year’s competition included teams who shoot sporting clays regularly as well as some experienced shooters who were newer to clay shooting. We were also glad to have staff from several of our WAIT (Wildlife And Industry Together) partner sites join us. The Mid-Carolina Gun Club edged out the Bebber Boys by just one point to win this year’s inaugural event, with the team from Whiting-Turner coming in third place. We hope all the participants were inspired to spend time on the range with fellow shooting sports enthusiasts.

 

An important cause like wildlife conservation has a way of bringing us together, and it was great to see long-time supporters and meet new friends who came out to support our mission. Thank you to all the outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen who participated in and sponsored this fundraiser. Proceeds will directly benefit SCWF’s ongoing conservation efforts, including habitat enhancement, land conservation, and educational programs that teach South Carolinians of all ages how to responsibly enjoy and protect the outdoors.

 

 

Winning teams:

1st Mid-Carolina Gun Club – 306 points

2nd Bebber Boys – 305 points

3rd Whiting-Turner – 239 points

Honorable mention team: National Land Realty/Jim Taylor – 238 points

Highest individual scores:

1st Rich Gadbois, Mid-Carolina Gun Club – 87 points

2nd (tie) Rodney Rained, Mid-Carolina Gun Club – 82 points

               -Matt Bebber, Bebber Boys – 82 points

3rd (tie) Rick Scholz, Mid-Carolina Gun Club – 79 points

               -Tony Bebber, Bebber Boys – 79 points

 

We are especially grateful to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact.

Birds of a Feather Paddle Together

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Thursday, October 2 was an incredible day on the water for our Palmetto Pro Birder Paddle, led by our Industry Habitat Manager and resident bird guru, Jay Keck. From the first push off the bank to the final call through the trees, the day was a reminder of how good it feels to slow down and enjoy nature with others.

 

 

 

We tallied 37 bird species, including favorites like the wood duck, red-headed woodpecker, black-throated green warbler, and a clapper rail.

 

 

We also heard a few species that stayed hidden in the trees, such as pileated woodpeckers and downy woodpeckers. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this fun and rewarding day in the field.

 

 

 

This paddle is part of our Palmetto ProBirder Program, which is at the heart of what we do at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. By combining outdoor adventure, connection with others, and hands-on learning, we hope to inspire more people to become advocates for healthy wildlife habitats. Each time someone logs a bird sighting, plants a native plant, or supports conservation through a Duck Stamp or donation, it adds up to real and lasting change for the landscapes and species we love. We hope to see you on the next one! Until then, happy birding!