Keep South Carolina Wild

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Pollinator Program at the Catawba Nation’s Third Annual Catawba Culture Camp

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On June 16, 2026, SCWF Habitat Education Manager Savannah Jordan led a pollinator program at the Catawba Nation’s Third Annual Catawba Culture Camp at the Catawba Cultural Center. A perfect opportunity during National Pollinator Month, recognized in June!
Through hands-on activities, campers explored the vital role of pollination, built bee hotels, learned how to create wildlife habitats, and toured a newly installed pollinator garden created by SCWF with support from our partners at Duke Energy.
Thanks to your support, programs like these will continue to help inspire the next generation of conservationists while advancing pollinator education, habitat restoration, and community partnerships in our state. Together, we can help ensure a healthier future for the pollinators we depend on!

Chapin Goes Green…er

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Written by Cindy Chin.

Published in Chapin Magazine on June 18, 2026:

https://www.chapinmagazine.com/home/2026/6/18/chapin-goes-greener?fbclid=IwY2xjawSzkYJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIYUpuZDBPekpTMktaWWpYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl6HvBhLAbzUY6vFusRdNdgdBp0QTYI9ITbx1e_swe5P06Ktt0SN-QRJ2kBn_aem_urN1NwhEGCP_PFZ-RPykbw

 

Chapin Goes Green...er

 

Chapin Garden Club Strives to turn Chapin into
South Carolina’s Largest Per Capita Community Wildlife Habitat

In 2000, Chapin Garden Club launched two initiatives supported by the Garden Club of South Carolina: a Carolina Fence Garden at the Chamber of Commerce and participation in the Backyard Habitat program. Both programs were a success…  So Chapin Garden Club did what anyone in their position would typically do: moved the goal posts and upped the ante. Twenty six years later, they aim to turn Chapin into the largest per capita Community Wildlife Habitat in the state by 2030. But this time, they need your help…

 

How It Started

From the outset in 2000, CGC’s members embraced the challenges wholeheartedly—every member achieved certified habitat status to do their part in the Backyard Habitat program. The efforts established an enduring club tradition: membership meant maintaining a certified backyard. But what exactly is a “certified” backyard, and why does it matter? A Certified Wildlife Habitat® through the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) is a greenspace that provides essential elements for local wildlife: food, water, cover, and places to raise young, while also utilizing sustainable practices such as reduced usage of chemical pesticides, the conservation of water, and a reduction in lawn area. Having these conditions in place helps combat habitat loss by supporting birds, butterflies, and pollinators with native plants.

For members of the Chapin Garden Club in the year 2000, the decision to get their yards certified was an easy one. By 2013, an influx of new members shifted focus temporarily; the yard certification tradition had begun to subside. To reignite interest, Bonnie Porter presented a refresher on habitat certification at the October meeting. Then-president Cindy Chin challenged members to certify their own yards and recruit others to do the same. The effort gained traction through flyers, local media, and community outreach.

 

Photo by Cindy Chin

The club’s commitment aligned with a broader goal—supporting South Carolina’s national leadership in wildlife habitats per capita. With guidance from Sarah Green of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, Chapin added 32 new certified habitats by summer 2014. They celebrated with a gathering at Timberlake Country Club.

A pivotal moment came in 2019 when Jay Keck delivered a program on attracting birds and butterflies. His presentation sparked a lasting partnership with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and deepened the club’s focus on conservation education.

 

Chapin Goes Green

In May 2021, Keck introduced the idea of designating Chapin (ZIP code 29036) as a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat. Recognizing the opportunity, the club launched “Chapin Goes Green” and registered with the National Wildlife Federation in June 2021.

Certification required community education, media engagement, and achieving 225 habitat points through certified properties. The club undertook a coordinated effort that included:

  • Publishing articles on wildlife, native plants, and habitat gardening

  • Hosting workshops, presentations, and an annual Wildlife Trivia Night

  • Partnering with local organizations, schools, churches, and civic groups

  • Securing official support from the mayor, town council, and community associations

A major achievement was the creation of a 70-by-8-foot pollinator garden at Chapin Town Hall, developed in collaboration with multiple partners and supported by a Dominion Energy grant. The club also worked with the South Carolina Bluebird Society to establish a bluebird trail at Town Hall. Since 2021, the Cindy and Ed Chin Bluebird Trail and participating backyards have documented 153 successful fledglings. Additional enhancements included installing an outdoor message center and a bluestone seating wall at Town Hall, offering educational materials and trail maps to visitors.

 

“We are proud to work with our community to protect and connect critical habitats for wildlife.”

— Cindy Chin

Reaching the required number of certified properties proved the most challenging step. Engaging more than 200 property owners, businesses, and institutions required sustained outreach—but the effort succeeded. On February 15, 2024, Chapin was officially designated a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.

The community celebrated on June 18, 2024, with a ceremony at Town Hall featuring tours of the pollinator garden and bluebird trail. Mayor Al Koon issued a proclamation recognizing the project’s impact, and state leaders and conservation partners attended. Local students also contributed, creating a video to promote habitat certification.

The project drew inspiration from other successful communities. Kelly Long of the Camellia Garden Club in Greer shared insights from their five-year certification journey, highlighting initiatives such as distributing milkweed seeds to support Monarch butterflies and engaging residents of all ages in conservation.

Today, Chapin has 208 certified properties, including parks, schools, places of worship, government buildings, and private homes. Maintaining certification requires annual renewal, and the Chapin Garden Club remains committed to education, outreach, and expanding participation.

Cindy Chin, who chaired Chapin Goes Green, describes the multi-year effort as a labor of love: “It is an honor and privilege to have Chapin recognized by the National Wildlife Federation. Chapin is now the 161st Community Wildlife Habitat in the U.S., the 14th in South Carolina, and the first in Lexington County. We are proud to work with our community to protect and connect critical habitats for wildlife.”

Through sustained collaboration and grassroots engagement, Chapin Garden Club has created a model for how communities can preserve natural beauty while fostering meaningful connections between people and wildlife. Today they ask: Will you help them?

What is a Community Wildlife Habitat?
It’s Community

The Community Wildlife Habitat is a NWF program that helps communities create sustainable wildlife friendly spaces while engaging residents in conservation and education. They partner with cities, towns, and neighborhoods in urban and suburban areas to incorporate wildlife practice and promote biodiversity in communities across the United States. These practices include using native plants, reducing pesticides, conserving water, and integrating wildlife considerations that support insects, moths, butterflies, caterpillars, birds, etc.. Communities are recognized when property owners such as individual homeowners and businesses, churches, schools, parks, government properties, etc. certify their properties as Certified Wildlife Habitats.

What is a Certified Wildlife Habitat?
It’s Personal

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) was South Carolina’s first conservation group. Established in 1931, it has been safeguarding our state’s wildlife for nearly a century and relies on proven scientific methods to protect and preserve the health of delicate ecosystems. It is the SCWF that administers the Wildlife Habitat program to assist homeowners, businesses, churches, schools, parks, etc. to individually certify habitat.  This requires providing 4 essential elements for wildlife: food, water, cover, and places to raise young plus incorporating some (not all) sustainable gardening practices. These practices can be very small changes that make a big difference and save time and money. Per the SCWF:

  • Stop Using Pesticides
    Yes, they kill the bad critters, but also poison bees and butterflies, birds and other animals whose diet consists of insects. Without pesticides, your flowers and vegetables will pollinate more aggressively -that means more flowers and fruits.

  • Plant Native Plants and Trees
    These plants are already adapted to our climate, and the native wildlife has adapted to these plants. Keystones native trees such as oaks support over 500 species of insects, moths, and butterflies. Native flowers such as goldenrod and asters also support over 100 species of the same. And, we have individual natives such as milk weed which is the only food for our beautiful monarch butterflies. Lastly, natives are generally more drought resistant and easier to grow.

  • Reduce Fertilizer Use
    If you must use fertilizers, be sure to closely follow the directions. Excessive chemical fertilizer will not help your plants any more and will pollute our waterways. You can create your own organic fertilizer by beginning a compost pile.

  • Let One Tenth of Your Yard Grow Wild
    Untouched areas left to their own devices support much healthier ecosystems allowing insects, moth, butterflies, fireflies, bird, etc. to proliferate and thrive.

  • Reduce the Amount of Turf
    Grass is time consuming and expensive, and has no benefit to any wildlife whatsoever. Instead, increase the size and diversity of your flower beds which attracts a diversity of wildlife.

How to Certify Your Yard

Certifying one’s habitat is extremely easy and takes less than 20 minutes. Sign on to the South Carolina Wildlife Federation site and follow the link to certified wildlife habitat.

Certification is a one-time event; there’s no annual renewal. The cost is $25.00 and you can also purchase a sign which identifies your property as a wildlife habitat. Proudly display it where all your friends and neighbors will see it and ask –

“What is this about?” And you can answer, “Well, it’s about:

  • enhancing livability and health in our communities

  • saving wildlife

  • creating beautiful environments for our children and grandchildren

  • educating the public on wildlife conservation and sustainable practices

  • and increasing the economic value of our homes and neighborhoods… “

A Bold New Goal – 2030 Vision

 

There’s so much to gain, and little to lose by certifying your yard. Every individual habitat is the key to maintaining Chapin as a Community Wildlife Habitat. Chapin Garden Club President, Shawn Grover explains, “If Chapin residents do not continue to certify their properties, Chapin will lose this extremely valuable and important designation. That would just be so heartbreaking for our community. But our goal, be it lofty, is to build Chapin into the largest per capita Community Wildlife Habitat in the state by 2030!

Please help the Chapin Garden Club and the whole town by certifying your yard today. For more information about certification, what to plant with purpose, questions, or technical assistance, go to SCWF.org or contact:

Savannah Jordan, Associate Wildlife Biologist®
South Carolina Wildlife Federation
email  savannah@scwf.org
O: 803-256-0670 | M: 864-398-6373

WAIT Partner Update: Proterra

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Proterra, a leading manufacturer of advanced battery technology, is our newest WAIT partner! Located in Greer, SC, Proterra is helping power the shift to a sustainable future by providing innovative battery solutions for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and equipment manufactures.

During a recent visit, Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, explored the property with staff and led a nature walk for approximately 25 enthusiastic employees eager to learn about habitat creation and conservation. Along with installed nest boxes for the Eastern bluebird and wood duck, Eastern screech owl boxes will be installed at the edge of a forested area, increasing the likelihood of this beautiful but declining bird to breed in the area. Prairie areas border much of the property and provide food for many pollinators and the animals that feed upon them. Plants like goldenrod, blackberry, and pokeweed, are numerous and provide food for dozens of bird species and possibly hundreds of types of moths and butterflies. Larger plants like sassafras, black cherry, white oak and willow oak, provide the property with an excellent source of food for caterpillars, birds, reptiles, and mammals.

The WAIT team at Proterra has created a fun and easy way for employees to record the plant and animal species on the property by providing a QR code for employees to scan which directs them to a common page where they can input their findings. This inventory of plants and animals, and its access to employees, has the potential to open up their eyes to the biodiversity on the property, which can lead to conservation efforts on and off the property. To assist employees with the inventories, field guides of local plants and animals are available for employees in the lunchroom. In addition to these guides, nature books, interpretive nature signs, and information about the WAIT program and Proterra’s commitment to habitat conservation is available for employees to explore.

We applaud these initial efforts by Proterra and cannot wait to see what they do for wildlife and wildlife conservation in future years. The name Proterra means “For the Earth” and we love to see their employees living this out daily. Well done, Proterra!

SCWF Partners with South Carolina State Museum to Build New Carolina Fence Garden

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On May 30th, 2026, SCWF helped the South Carolina State Museum install a new Carolina Fence Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. This native garden educates visitors on local wildlife habitats and supports native pollinators. Visitors can find the new Carolina Fence Garden at the museum’s entrance at 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC.

 

The garden features native plants like goldenrod and wild indigo that will support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while also connecting visitors to South Carolina’s natural heritage. The Carolina Fence Garden concept is an initiative promoted by SCWF to attract native animals and celebrate the state’s natural history. It incorporates several specific cultural and natural elements such as:

  • A Fence: A traditional split-rail fence serves as the structural anchor.
  • State Symbols: Gardens typically feature the Yellow Jessamine (state flower) and a display of Blue Granite (state stone), both of which create ideal basking and foraging spots for butterflies and bees.
  • Native Plants: The garden utilizes native, local plants that provide food and nesting material for birds, pollinators, and small mammals.
  • Wildlife Housing: A mounted Carolina Wren House often provides dedicated shelter for South Carolina’s state bird.
Thank you to the South Carolina State Museum for partnering with us on their Planting South Carolina Roots initiative and to all of the volunteers who spent their Saturday morning with us to make this possible! We can’t wait to watch this garden grow! Learn more about how to support pollinators and built your own Carolina Fence Garden at: https://www.scwf.org/carolina-fence-gardens/ 

The 2026 Milkweed for Monarchs Program: More Than 10 Years of Monarch Conservation in South Carolina

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We are thrilled to announce the successful mailing of 5,000 packets of native milkweed seeds to residents across South Carolina, marking the eleventh 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.

We hosted 20 volunteer days dedicated to hand-mixing and packaging milkweed seeds this year! We are incredibly grateful to the many volunteers who generously donated their time to support this important effort. Thanks to their hard work, SCWF can continue providing milkweed seeds that help create habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators across South Carolina.

Thank you to Comporium for sponsoring the 2026 Milkweed for Monarchs Project!

Columbia’s Downtown Pollinator Garden

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By Arlene Marturano

Published in the Columbia Star on May 28, 2026 – https://www.thecolumbiastar.com/articles/columbias-downtown-pollinator-garden/

Volunteers with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) planted a native plant pollinator garden in their wildlife habitat in front of their downtown office at 1519 Richland Street. As spring transitions to summer, the plants are flowering and fruiting. In a relatively small space there are over 20 species attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The garden also features the four basic wildlife habitat elements: food, water, cover, and places to raise young.

Three natives planted for monarch larvae are swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata; common milkweed, A. syriaca; and butterfly weed, A. tuberosa.

Passionvine, Passiflora incarnata, is deliberately planted in containers to keep it from spreading across the landscape via its underground rhizomatous roots and taking over the garden. The vine hosts the eggs and larvae of gulf fritillary and variegated fritillary butterflies.

A striking blue flowering perennial plant is false indigo, Baptisia australis. Native Americans and early colonists used the flower to produce a blue dye before the Asian indigo, aka true indigo, Indigofera tinctoria, was introduced to America.

False indigo is a host plant to many butterflies such as orange sulphur, clouded sulphur, frosted elfin, eastern tailed blue, hoary edge, and wild indigo duskywing.

Common yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is a flower attracting an incredible number of pollinators because of the design of the flower face. The nectar that bees and butterflies need is easy to access on the broad flat flower face making for perfect landing and feeding platforms. Insects can stay still and sip from the many tiny florets. American lady, checkerspots, fritillaries, hairstreaks, skippers, and sulphurs visit yarrow for nectar.

Common St. John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum, is a host plant to the larvae of the gray hairstreak butterfly. Female azure butterflies lay their eggs on the flower buds and the caterpillars eat the flower parts and developing fruits. The plant also hosts moths like the wavylined emerald, scallop moth, and gray half-spot moth.

Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam,’ Coreopsis verticillata, will start blooming from mid-summer all the way until the first hard frost. Something to consider when planting a pollinator garden is to select a palette of plants for spring, summer, and autumn bloom.

Two varieties of blueberries grow in the pollinator garden: Vacinnium darrowii ‘Rosa’s Blush’ and Vacinnium x Perpetua. Planting blueberries in the garden creates a mutually beneficial relationship between the plants and pollinators. Blueberry flowers provide spring nectar for native bees and the bees perform “buzz pollination” to ensure a large, healthy harvest.

Visit the SCWF downtown pollinator garden to view the entire garden and take home ideas for your landscape.

Published in the Columbia Star on May 28, 2026 – https://www.thecolumbiastar.com/articles/columbias-downtown-pollinator-garden/

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 and other wildlife 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 adult females a place to lay their eggs and to provide the caterpillars with 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 Museum of York County, where museum staff and volunteers joined to plant a variety of native plant pathways that lead to spaces where nature-themed outdoor musical instruments will be installed late this summer, including a bumblebee, butterfly, firefly, dragonfly, and ladybug. The museum’s garden is also 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. The museum received its certification in 2005 and also has created a Carolina Fence Garden.

 

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 and the Pollinator Garden Project. At the Catawba Nation, reservation staff and volunteers helped to plant a variety of native plants for pollinators at the Cultural Center and at the preschool on the reservation.

 

 

The Catawba Bend Preserve is York County’s newest park, a 1,900-acre preserve in Rock Hill, spanning nearly five miles along the Catawba River. Operated by York County, the preserve offers a serene, natural escape focused on passive outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation. While the preserve is open and walkable, it is designed to be an evolving outdoor destination. Future amenities in various stages of development include mountain biking and disc golf courses, stocked fishing ponds and rebuilt earthen dams, the first mile of a paved, riverfront greenway, primitive tent camping, event spaces, and a motor coach park.

 

Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre nature preserve in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Dedicated in 1995, it protects native forests, lakes, and pastures from urban development, offering the public a natural escape for outdoor recreation and environmental education. The pollinator garden was installed with the help of staff from the Greenway and volunteers with the Catawba Master Naturalist Program, and it is located next to the Greenway’s Forest Playground. Bluestar (Amsonia) was chosen as one of the focal plants to honor the Greenway’s founder, Anne Springs, who was also a prominent South Carolina conservationist, philanthropist, and outdoor advocate.

To learn more about how to create your own pollinator garden, see our webpage for Enhancing Pollinator Habitat and be sure to follow along with us during the month of June, which is National Pollinator Month!

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: Anne Springs Close Greenway, Catawba Master Naturalist & Alumni group, Museum of York County, Catawba Bend Preserve, York County Parks & Rec, Catawba Indian Nation, and Landsford Canal State Park.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Midlands Master Naturalist Class of 2026

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Over the past 12 weeks, our 2026 Midlands Master Naturalists have spent countless hours exploring the Midlands and building connections with the natural world around them. From insects and geology to the unique flora and fauna that make this region so special, each week brought new discoveries, conversations, and moments of curiosity. Watching the growth, enthusiasm, and passion of this 2026 class has been incredibly rewarding, and we could not be more proud of all they have accomplished. While the class may be ending, their journey as Master Naturalists is just beginning. We know there are now 20 more people who will continue to ask questions, share knowledge, inspire others, and help foster a deeper appreciation for the interconnected world around us. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who spent these 12 weeks learning alongside us and to all of the parks, instructors, and partners who welcomed us along the way. Your time, knowledge, and support helped make this experience something truly special.

       b

Congratulations to Evan Dingle, Hunter Griffin, Jennifer Brown, Melinda McGee, Christine Woodham, Anne Kaiser, Glenda R Swearingen, Caroline Eastman, Katherine Kawamoto, Kim Pittman, Ellen Fishburne, Stephanie Pinson, Lexi Thomason Toole, Rebecca Funderburk, Rachel Como, Kate O’Hara-Goergen, Aidan-Lee Houser, Avery Hammett, Allison Bugarin, Mary Dell Hayes, and Nora Solway.

                       r
For more information on our Master Naturalist class, visit: https://www.scwf.org/midlands-master-naturalist/

Whole Foods Volunteer Day

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We had a great time earlier this month with a group of nature-loving employees from Whole Foods! Seventeen Whole Foods employees from their Columbia, SC location built ten eastern bluebird boxes which will be installed at schools, churches, or corporate sites around the state.

The group also went on a nature walk with SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, Jay Keck, who taught them about the local ecosystem as they listened to wood thrush and prothonotary warblers in the background.

Whole Foods purchased the materials from the South Carolina Bluebird Society, who makes pre-cut versions of the boxes for those interested in having an event of their own. (Lean more at: https://southcarolinabluebirds.org/sales/)

Thank you to the Whole Foods employees who took time out of their busy schedules to learn about conservation and wildlife!

Women in the Outdoors: Building Confidence, Skills, and Community

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This April, women from across South Carolina gathered outdoors to learn new skills, connect with nature, and build lasting friendships through two special South Carolina Wildlife Federation programs: the POWR+ Women’s Fly Fishing Day with guides from the Chattooga River Fly Shop in Mountain Rest, South Carolina and the co-branded Women’s Turkey Camp with Artemis South Carolina.

Both events focused on creating welcoming, supportive spaces where women of all experience levels could grow their confidence in the outdoors while learning from experienced mentors and fellow participants.

During Women’s Turkey Camp, participants spent time learning turkey hunting techniques, practicing outdoor skills, and connecting around campfires and shared experiences in the field. The camp emphasized mentorship, conservation, and helping women feel comfortable and empowered in public hunting spaces.

 

Later in the month, the POWR+ Women’s Fly Fishing Day introduced participants to the art of fly fishing through hands-on instruction and time on the water. From learning casting basics to gaining a deeper appreciation for South Carolina’s aquatic habitats, attendees experienced firsthand how fishing can foster patience, focus, and connection with the natural world.

 

Together, these programs highlight the growing community of women engaging in hunting, fishing, and conservation across the country. They also reflect SCWF’s commitment to making the outdoors more accessible and encouraging the next generation of conservation leaders.

Whether sharing stories after a morning hunt or celebrating a first fly cast on the water, participants left these events with new skills, new friendships, and a stronger connection to the outdoors. A big thank you to all of our partners, as well as the Fish America Foundation , Z-Man Fishing Products, and Barron’s Outfitters for supporting this year’s fishing activities and helping make these experiences possible.