Keep South Carolina Wild

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The 2025 Milkweed for Monarchs Program: a decade of impact in South Carolina

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“One reason this program is valuable is because it is accessible for all residents of our state. Also, because SCWF sends these seeds statewide, we are able to offer monarchs many options along their long journey!”

–Connor Chilton, 2025 Monarchs & Milkweed Program Lead

We are thrilled to announce the successful mailing of 5,000 packets of native milkweed seeds to residents across South Carolina, marking the tenth year of the Milkweed for Monarch’s Program! This program allows residents of our state to sign up to receive packets of free native milkweed seeds (Common, Swamp, & Butterfly Milkweed).

Because monarchs only lay eggs on milkweed plants, they must have native milkweed along their 3,000-mile journey to survive. Over the past twenty years, there has been a sharp decline in the monarch butterfly population along their normal migration routes from Canada to Mexico. During this time, these important pollinators have dwindled by almost 97 percent. Native milkweed plants, however, are the key to helping these iconic pollinators thrive.

This program helps SCWF make a statewide impact for monarchs, and we are so grateful to every single person who signs up to receive a seed packet. We recently received some photos from our milkweed seed recipients, and that is one of our favorite parts of this project! If you have any photos of monarchs that you would like to share with us, you can email us at mail@scwf.org.

Thank you to Comporium for sponsoring the 2025 Milkweed for Monarchs Project!

WAIT Partner Update: Shakespeare Columbia

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Finding motivated employees to enhance wildlife habitat, and connect with coworkers and the community, is critical for the success of the Wildlife And Industry Together or WAIT program. Luckily, such people stepped up to lead the program at our most recent WAIT partner, Shakespeare Columbia, located in Richland County.

After recently teaching a lunch and learn about wildlife and conservation to over twenty employees, I learned about their plans to hold additional nature-related lunch and learns each year, as well as plans to have an iNaturalist ID competition, photo contest, and a Merlin Bird ID contest. In addition to educating employees, a small team will spend an afternoon each year discussing environmental career paths with students at Title 1 schools in the local community.

 

Image Credit: Andy Sagcal.

 

Image Credit: Andy Sagcal.

 

 

 

To further connect with the community, employees will also participate in litter sweeps in the area, the most recent being a successful river sweep in Cayce, SC. You can see the impact from that sweep in the picture below!

 

We are also proud of these employees for enhancing gardens with pollinator plants, installing Bluebird boxes, as well as developing plans to create a Carolina Fence Garden, which will continue to inspire employees to take a closer look at the natural world around them, and connect them to the planet’s smaller wonders, our pollinators!

Welcome aboard, Shakespeare Columbia, and thank you for doing such a great job connecting employees and the community to wildlife!

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.

 

SCWF EcoLeaders: the future of conservation is here!

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SCWF held an EcoLeaders event at Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia on Monday, July 21st, where youth planted 750 native plants for wildlife habitat, installed a nesting box for Eastern bluebirds, and installed four interpretive signs. From start to finish, this was a youth-led event.

SCWF’s Education Assistant, Mason Eslinger, planned and executed this ambitious project. At age 20, Mason is already making an impact for conservation, and we know that his passion will also inspire other young people to get involved in the stewardship and protection of our natural resources.

 

“It is truly a privilege to find myself in a position that can make such profound impacts on not only the environment, but also on communities. This event in particular carried a different gravity to it, having just become an uncle. Being able to hold the “future generations” that I work so hard for allowed me to utilize my renewed sense of purpose on this project. Thank you to all that made something of this magnitude possible and I look forward to watching that little piece of me prosper at Sesqui!” – Mason Eslinger

 

The native plant garden covers approximately 300 linear feet and will be certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. In addition to helping wildlife, these plants will also serve as carbon storage. Carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is a leading cause of climate change and plants are great at taking CO2 out of our atmosphere and storing it in the ground. Click on the “Learn More” button below to see a list of the plants that were planted and how these plants benefit wildlife. The plants for this project were sourced from Charleston Aquatic and Environmental, Creekside Native Grass & Design, and Primitive by Design.

Learn More

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to Mason for leading this effort! We would also like to thank staff from Sesquicentennial State Park, the Palmetto Trail, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for assisting with this project. 

 

Thank you to the Bloomberg Philanthropies & the City of Columbia for sponsoring this project!

 

 

SCWF holds record-breaking auction in support of wildlife conservation and education

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Thank YOU to every single person who participated in Wild Summer Nights Online auction. You were vital to making this year’s auction our best yet!

This year’s auction was record-breaking, raising $118,044 in support of our education and conservation programs—making it our most successful auction to date! We’re incredibly grateful to all our bidders, sponsors, auction item donors, and to everyone who helped spread the word by sharing our social media posts, forwarding our emails, or telling a friend.

As always, all auction proceeds will support our mission to conserve and restore wildlife right here in SC through education and advocacy. SCWF’s inspirational education classes and events connect people of all ages to nature. We hope you can join us at one – or several – in the coming year! Check out our event page here to see current offerings.

 

 

 

Image Credit: “Sleeping Alligator” by Pamela Tennant.

 

 

 

 

Thank you to all of our sponsors who help us increase our impact for local wildlife!

 

 

Families Exploring Nature Day!

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“This event was a great reminder of how much joy and connection families can find outdoors. Watching kids light up as they planted milkweed and spotted birds on the trail really shows the power of hands-on conservation.”

Allison Bugarin, Education & Outreach Coordinator

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation hosted a successful Families Exploring Nature event on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Lexington Wildlife Chapter. As part of the new 2025 Explorer series, families enjoyed a morning of fishing basics and a guided nature walk. Families also learned how to plant native milkweed seeds to understand how to support our native pollinators.

 

 

 

 

During the nature walks, participants learned how to identify some of our native trees, spiders, birds, plants, and how ecologically important native plants are to support our native wildlife. They learned tons of interesting nature facts such as the smaller male golden orb weavers are never too far from the much larger female, and that a good way to remember how to identify a water oak is that the leaves are shaped like a rain drop.

 

 

Indoors, SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan, led a hands-on session where families built on the nature walk by learning the importance of native plants. Participants potted their own native milkweed seeds and discussed ways to support wildlife at home. Milkweed supports monarchs and their 3,000-mile migration from Mexico to Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These hands-on experiences helped participants of all ages connect with nature, build outdoor skills, and deepen their understanding of South Carolina’s wild spaces. With beautiful weather, enthusiastic attendees, and plenty of wildlife sightings, the event was a joyful way to continue our new series of educational classes focused on family-friendly outdoor exploration.

Thank you to the Tonja Ivey and the Lexington Wildlife Chapter for hosting us! We would also like to say a special thank you to Mary Rhett Davidson of SCDNR for helping teach the fishing basics portion of the event.

 

Camp Wildwood

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The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is proud to have been one of the sponsors of Camp Wildwood for more than 70 years! This annual event is an outdoor environmental camp that is a fun-filled week during which high school students can experience the many aspects of their natural environment. This year’s Camp was held June 15th through the 21st.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These pictures from this year’s camp show how Camp Wildwood helps the campers to  discover that we are part of nature and everything we do in some way affects the natural balance. At Camp Wildwood, you acquire the knowledge and appreciation needed for the protection and wise use of our natural resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, Camp Wildwood is also sponsored by the Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, South Carolina State Parks, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Camp Wildwood is held annually in June at Kings Mountain State Park and you can find out more information about it by visiting https://www.campwildwoodsc.com/.

 

 

SCWF Holds Interactive Habitat Workshop in the Upstate

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SCWF recently held a Habitat Workshop in Anderson, an interactive workshop designed to teach participants how to create a Certified Wildlife Habitat in their own yards to help support local wildlife. This workshop is part of our new  Explores Series for 2025. 

A Certified Wildlife Habitat is a designation given to properties that provide essential elements for wildlife, such as food, water, cover, and places to raise young, while also employing sustainable gardening practices. Once a yard is certified, it not only helps wildlife thrive, but it also is recognized by the National Wildlife Federation and helps to spread the message of wildlife-friendly gardening to neighbors and the community.

During the classroom portion of the workshop, participants were given an engaging and informative presentation from SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan, where they learned about how to incorporate each of the essential elements into different landscapes and looked at pictures of their own yards to discuss ways for improving their own yards for all sorts of wildlife. They also learned about the value of native plants and the different types of plants to include for certain species of wildlife like monarch butterflies and other important pollinators.

Following the classroom portion, participants met at Green Pond Landing, a 33-acre facility on the shores of Lake Hartwell designed as a high-capacity launch facility for fishing tournaments as well as recreational boating and fishing. Managed by Anderson County Parks, Green Pond Landing features 200 paved truck/trailer spaces and 100 paved single space parking as well as grass areas utilized for overflow parking. Green Pond Landing boasts the deepest launch lanes and most dock space on the lake as well as a two-story state of the art restroom facility. In 2021, Green Pond Landing completed the development of a 1,300-seat amphitheater which has hosted tournament weigh-ins and special events. Green Pond Landing turned 10 years old in December 2024 and celebrated an economic impact to the upstate of South Carolina that exceeded $100 million during the first decade.

 

While enjoying lunch by the lakeside amphitheater that was generously provided by Visit Anderson, participants planted their own native  milkweed seeds in peat pots that they took home to their own gardens to help monarch butterflies. A few lucky participants won door prizes in the form of native plants, including native purple coneflower and oakleaf hydrangea from a nearby nursery.

 

 

Participants took a tour of Green Pond’s brand new Certified Wildlife Habitat and Carolina Fence Garden, which was designed and installed by the city of Anderson. The group observed the variety of native plants in the garden and discussed the different habitat features and examples of how to improve habitat quality for a diversity of wildlife from bees and butterflies to birds and mammals. The workshop ended with the installation of educational signage in the garden that informs visitors about the different types of plants and pollinators that can be found in the garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neil Paul with Visit Anderson stated, “It was an honor and a privilege to partner with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and host the Habitat Workshop at Green Pond Landing. In Anderson County, we have taken a great deal of pride in establishing our facility as a leader, not only in hosting fishing tournaments, but in conservation and protecting our resource. Being able to partner with the Wildlife Federation to develop a ‘Certified Wildlife Habitat’ is another step in that leadership. The habitat garden provides an educational component for gardeners of all levels and adds to the beauty and the landscape of our lakeside facility. This project was a tremendous partnership, and we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.”

Learn more about Certified Wildlife Habitats and our other programs at https://www.scwf.org/habitat-restoration/.

To see SCWF’s upcoming workshops and other events, visit https://www.scwf.org/events/.

 

Thank you to the Duke Energy Foundation for sponsoring this workshop.

 

WAIT Partner Update: Honda

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For nearly 20 years, Honda’s S.C. Manufacturing (SCM) facility has been committed to wildlife conservation, completing over 175 activities for Wildlife & Industry Together (WAIT), a South Carolina Wildlife Federation program.  From planting and relocating trees to creating food plots and installing birdhouses, wood duck boxes and beehives, we’re helping to enhance biodiversity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In May, SCM teamed up with WAIT for a fishing day event, bringing together youth and SCM associates to fish from the shore of the stocked pond on property while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends. Participants enjoyed a complimentary lunch, and all youth took home their catch along with door prizes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to Honda South Carolian Mfg for this update.

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.

SCWF Invites You to Explore with Us!

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The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is known for many things: being the voice of residents who love wildlife, an advocate for our state’s outdoor spaces, and amazing wildlife education programs. There is an incredible line-up of classes we offer including Palmetto Pro-Birder, Naturalist, and Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat events. New for 2025, SCWF is introducing our “Explores” programming. The “Explores” series is a new line of classes designed to introduce the outdoors to folks who may be new to outdoor experiences. BeBe Dalton Harrison, SCWF Director of Education says, “We want to welcome even more people to the outdoors.  These classes and events will be beginner friendly, lower cost, and a great way to step outside in a safe environment.”

The Explores Series will consist of a variety of topics across the state and will change yearly. This inaugural year includes programs to introduce families to fishing and hiking, backyard wildlife habitats, winter wildlife, and more! In addition to being “beginner friendly”, these classes will be offered at a low price point and in some cases will be free for the public. Once each Explores classes is open for registration, it will be listed on our events page at www.scwf.org/events.

SCWF Explores Series

Create a Wildlife Habitat-Anderson County (Tuesday, June 10th)
Families Exploring Nature-Lexington Wildlife Chapter, Lexington (Friday, June 27th)
Water for Wildlife-Sumter (Saturday, July 12th)
EcoLeaders for Youth-Sesquicentennial State Park, Columbia (Monday, July 21st)
Backyard Habitat-North Myrtle Beach (Monday, October 20th)
Fall Backyard Habitat-York County (Date TBD)
Winter Wildlife-Location TBD

 

Banner image credit: Salty Serenity by Stuart Barfield.

SCWF Celebrates Garden for Wildlife Month

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SCWF staff, partners, and volunteers recently joined together to install five pollinator gardens throughout the state – talk about busy bees!

As development increases, the resulting habitat loss is a major challenge that affects many pollinator species in South Carolina. Pollinator gardens provide pollinators with critical habitat that can beautify any space, increase native biodiversity, increase pollination services and biological control of pest insects, and provide community engagement and learning opportunities.

These gardens create and enhance habitat for pollinators and other wildlife by incorporating native flowering plants, which are important sources of food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and countless other species. Native plants are adapted to the region’s climate and require less watering, fertilizer, and use of pesticides. Pollinators also require specific native host plants which provide nutrition and habitat to their larval and adult stages. Milkweed, the host plant for monarch butterflies, was planted in each garden to give the imperiled species a place to lay its eggs and to provide the caterpillars a source of food.

By installing the gardens in public areas, they also serve as demonstration sites to allow community members to connect with imperiled pollinator species and play a part in conservation efforts by replicating the gardens at their own homes. Educational signage was also installed with each garden that displays information about pollinator species, their importance, and how native plant gardens help them.

 

The first garden installation took place at the Lancaster County Library, and volunteers of all ages joined to plant a variety of native plants, including a group of high school students from Lancaster High School’s Agriculture department. The library’s garden is also on its way to becoming a Certified Wildlife Habitat, which provides natural sources of food, water, cover and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water, and does not rely on the use of pesticides.

 

At Andrew Jackson State Park, park staff and volunteers helped to clean up the existing pollinator garden and planted more native plants. The Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park donated a pollinator house to the park’s garden, which provides nesting sites for pollinators that nest in cavities or burrows.

 

Camp Canaan is located on a 100-acre island along the Catawba River in Rock Hill, and the pictures above show the progression of a bare patch of grass to a brand new garden bed! The camp staff plans to incorporate the new garden into their environmental education program for their youth attending summer camp.

The Catawba Nation is the only federally recognized tribe in South Carolina, and SCWF is honored to partner with the reservation’s Wildlife and Habitat Program on multiple conservation projects, including Project Prothonotary. The pollinator garden was installed just outside the reservation’s food distribution center, which holds a weekly farmer’s market for those who live on the reservation. Juncus, commonly known as rush, is a culturally significant plant that was added into the garden, as well as the endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower.

Sun City Carolina Lakes Community is a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat, and the pollinator garden is just one of the many ways their community is making a difference for wildlife. Visitors enjoy seeing monarch butterflies fluttering around in the garden, and we even spotted an adult monarch laying eggs on the milkweed that was planted years ago! Each garden also received a pollinator waterer, which is made using a shallow terra cotta saucer filled with stones for pollinators and insects to easily crawl out after getting a drink of water or cooling off.

 

 

Savannah Jordan, SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager who led the project stated, “Each garden plays such an important role in providing and connecting habitat for pollinators. No matter how large or how small their size, each one makes a difference. To see pollinators like bees and butterflies checking out the plants right after we put them in the ground goes to show that if you plant them, they will come!”

Savannah Jordan, SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, stands still as a butterfly lands on her hand, almost as if to say “thank you”!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCWF would like to thank Skyline Design and Landscape for their assistance in the design and installation of the garden, as well as providing all the native plants and materials. SCWF is also grateful for the following partners and volunteers for their involvement: Andrew Jackson State Park, Camp Canaan, Catawba Nation, Lancaster County Library, and Sun City Carolina Lakes Community

 

 

 

 

 

This project was made possible by Duke Energy’s Catawba-Wateree Habitat Enhancement Program.