The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) has named Sara K. Green as Executive Director. Green is the sixth Executive Director in the organization’s 88 year history and brings 22 years of institutional knowledge of the organization. As SCWF’s Director of Education, Green built up the organization’s capacity to offer wildly popular, high-quality programs that engage South Carolinians of all ages in wildlife habitat enhancement, citizen science and outdoor recreation.  The unanimous decision by the 36 member Board comes after the retirement of Ben Gregg in February.

 “Sara has a passion for wildlife, dedication to connecting people to nature and an ability to inspire conservation and stewardship of our natural resources,” commented board chair, Jason Burbage. “We look forward to her leadership as we step into a new era of growth.”

As Executive Director, Green is committed to honoring the sportsman roots of the organization and exploring ways to engage new audiences.  Under her leadership, SCWF has set goals to grow their reach over the next 5 years.  These goals include expanding education programs to present more opportunities for people of all ages to experience nature hands-on, the enhancement and restoration of available habitat for wildlife in wetlands, woods and fields, and the engagement of homeowners, teachers, businesses and community leaders across the state in making a positive impact for wildlife.

Over two decades, Green has developed an extensive network of conservation partners among state agencies, nonprofit organizations, local governments, industries, small businesses, schools and passionate dedicated individuals across the state.  “I’m continually inspired by the diversity of people who all come together for wildlife conservation,” says Green. “Hunters, fisherman, gardeners, birdwatchers, hikers, teachers, farmers, kayakers, photographers, corporate landowners, cyclists; the list goes on!  I’m honored to be in the position to bring these different perspectives together to look at ways to improve and increase habitat for wildlife.”

One of the 51 state & territory affiliates of the National Wildlife Federation, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation is the oldest conservation organization in the state and prides itself on science-based wildlife conservation policy and high-quality education programs. SCWF’s mission is to conserve and restore South Carolina’s wildlife and wildlife habitat through education and advocacy.

Donate today!

• Goal

  $1,000.00
• Amount Raised

  $1,325.00

 

Help us reach our goal of $1000 on Earth Day!

This Earth Day, we’ve set a goal of bringing in $1000 to help us further our current projects, such as certifying the city of Columbia as a wildlife habitat, putting up nesting boxes for cavity nesting birds that are in decline, and making sure our beautiful natural treasures remain protected. Can you help us reach this goal?

When you donate to SCWF, you can be sure that every dollar stays in South Carolina and goes to furthering our mission of conserving and restoring wildlife and wildlife habitat in South Carolina.

For the last 85 years, the SC Wildlife Federation (SCWF) has served as the voice for outdoor enthusiasts of every stripe. Representing hunter and birdwatcher, teacher and backpacker, boater and farmer, gardener and angler, SCWF builds partnerships to ensure everyone an enjoy SC’s natural heritage and recreational opportunities for generations to come.

Thank you for your support!

Written by Kristin Loughlin, Development and Events Manager

On March 19th, the Conservation Coalition held its annual Conservation Lobby Day. Lobby Day is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to meet with their representatives face-to-face and ask them to support or vote against issues the conservation community is currently working on. As a member of the Coalition, SCWF staff were excited to be among the attendees for the annual event.

The day started out with an advocacy training at the Capital City Club on Main Street in Columbia. As someone who doesn’t do much hands-on work in the advocacy side of our mission, this training was absolutely vital. We heard from two representatives (Micah Caskey, Lexington and Tom Davis, Beaufort) who talked briefly about the most effective ways to speak to our House Representatives and Senators.

Afterwards, Rebecca Haynes (Conservation Voters of SC) took over to give us specific information on what we would be focusing on in the Lobby that day. Some of the issues being discussed were the opposing of off-shore drilling, dam safety, and plastic bag bans, among others, so we had plenty to pick from.

We left the training excited to get to the Lobby. Since the House convened at 12, we were able to talk to our Representatives first, then after lunch got to speak to our Senators. We were fortunate to have our Government Relations Manager, Trip King, there to give us a little extra help.

My favorite thing about Lobby Day is the level of preparedness it comes with. It can feel overwhelming to be around so many people, and personally, I was nervous to talk to people I don’t know, but the training we were given at the beginning along with knowing we had the help of lobbyists quelled my nerves. The feeling of being at the State House and listening to all the buzz is exciting and fascinating. The Conservation Coalition was even recognized by the House and Senate (separately) from the balcony, which was a really neat experience to be a part of.

We ended the day with Oysters and Chili at 701 Whaley, which gave us the opportunity to connect with our conservation partners, legislators, community leaders, and many others. It’s always a fun group at the Oyster Roast, and this year was no different.

Conservation Lobby Day takes place each March. It is open to the public and is completely free. The only requirement is that you be passionate about conservation and have a desire to make an impact. If you get there and are too nervous to talk to your reps and senators, that’s okay. But I think it’s safe to say that with the level of preparedness the Coalition arms you with, you won’t be as nervous or as timid as you think you might be.

Thanks again to the Conservation Coalition for putting on this awesome event!

This post was written by an “advocacy newbie,” so terminology and/or formatting may be off. Corrections are welcomed and can be sent to mail@scwf.org. Thanks!

We love hearing about ways our supporters and partners are making improvements around the state for our wildlife and wildlife habitat!

Zach Steinhauser, a Naturalist based at Wingard’s Market (A fabulous place to purchase native plants in Lexington, S.C.) has recently taken the time to provide the cavity nesting birds of Fourteen Mile Creek in Lexington with some “new real estate.” Zach has installed 10 nest boxes along the trail, courtesy of his business, to provide new homes & future generations to the local bird population for Lexington residents. As Spring time approaches, many of the park’s resident bird species will be seeking a new home to raise their families, so these boxes are sure to come in handy!

Fourteen Mile Creek Trail is a hidden gem just outside of Downtown Lexington. Located at the corner of Old Cherokee Rd & No.6 Highway this park serves as a walking trail alongside Fourteen Mile Creek allowing people to experience nature in more ways than just a quick “walk in the woods.”

We’re thankful for people like Zach who spend their time helping our critters and their habitats, and we’re sure the birds are thankful too.

Photos provided by Zach Steinhauser

 

Have you or someone you know recently done something to help our wildlife and wildlife habitat in South Carolina? We want to hear about it! Send nominations for future community features to mail@scwf.org for a chance to be featured on our blog.

Donate to SCWF today!

On February 13th 2019 a House Resolution was unanimously passed to honor Ben Gregg for his 13 years of service with the
South Carolina Wildlife Federation. The resolution was introduced and presented by Rep. Seth Rose on Thursday, February
21st. It is a well-deserved honor and we are very grateful to Ben for his time with us.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE BENJAMIN H. GREGG ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS THIRTEEN YEARS OF
DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE FEDERATION, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT
IN THE YEARS TO COME.

Whereas, in his role as executive director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation for the past thirteen years, Ben
Gregg has vastly expanded the eighty-year-old organization’s proud tradition of building strategic partnerships to
protect our state’s precious natural resources, thus helping to ensure that all South Carolinians will be able to access
and enjoy our abundant natural heritage for generations to come; and

Whereas, Ben was educated in the Florence public school system and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in 1971 from
Presbyterian College. He later received a juris doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law (1974) and a
master’s degree in forestry and environmental studies from Yale University (1976); and

Whereas, he served as the first staff attorney for the newly formed South Carolina Coastal Council and was the director
of the natural resources division in Governor Dick Riley’s office, an attorney in private practice, the director of
governmental communications for Carolina Public Relations, Inc., and an adjunct professor of environmental policy at
Brevard College, as well as at Furman University and the University of South Carolina Honors College; and

Whereas, for his meritorious public service both in and out of state government, Ben was awarded the Order of the
Palmetto by Governor Dick Riley in 1987; and

Whereas, further, Ben served on the governing board of the Department of Natural Resources during Governor Jim Hodges’
administration; and

Whereas, in his leadership role at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, Ben founded and organized the Cammo Coalition
to help outdoorsmen from all areas of the State express in a unified voice their concern for, and support of, land,
water, and habitat conservation; and

Whereas, Ben convened conversations between state farm interests, forestry and wildlife agencies, and conservation
leaders that contributed to the formation of the Rural Resource Coalition; and

Whereas, he was instrumental in growing the South Carolina Wildlife Federation’s educational mission through programs
such as Gardening for Wildlife, Wildlife and Industry Together (WAIT), the Longleaf Pine Restoration project, Pollinator
Habitat programs, Junior Naturalist and Palmetto Pro Birder trainings, and the annual Outdoor Women’s Retreat; and

Whereas, as an active and engaged member of his community, Ben has served on numerous boards and commissions that have
helped shape wildlife management and natural resource conservation policy in South Carolina for most of his adult life;
and

Whereas, the House of Representatives is grateful for the passion, commitment, and dedication that Benjamin H. Gregg has
shown in serving the State and the people of South Carolina and is pleased to salute him on his February 1, 2019,
retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Benjamin H. Gregg on
the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his thirteen years of distinguished public service as the executive
director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years to come.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Benjamin H. Gregg.

 

STATUS INFORMATION

House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Rose, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett,
Bernstein, Blackwell, Bradley, Brawley, Brown, Bryant, Burns, Calhoon, Caskey, Chellis, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons,
Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B. Cox, W. Cox, Crawford, Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder,
Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Fry, Funderburk, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes,
Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, Johnson,
Jordan, Kimmons, King, Kirby, Ligon, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mace, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, McCoy, McCravy, McDaniel,
McGinnis, McKnight, Moore, Morgan, D.C. Moss, V.S. Moss, Murphy, B. Newton, W. Newton, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis,
Pope, Ridgeway, Rivers, Robinson, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simmons, Simrill, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, Sottile, Spires,
Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Toole, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R.
Williams, S. Williams, Willis, Wooten, Young and Yow
Document Path: l:\council\bills\rm\1156dg19.docx

Introduced in the House on February 13, 2019
Adopted by the House on February 13, 2019

Project Prothonotary

 

Project Prothonotary exists to help save one of our most brilliant migratory bird species in SC.

During the spring and summer months, the Prothonotary Warbler calls South Carolina home to feast upon insects, spiders, and snails located in and around our forested wetlands, before returning to their wintering grounds as far south as Colombia, South America. Uncommon among warblers, it is a cavity nester, which presents us a great opportunity to help save this bird whose population has declined approximately 42% over the last 50 years. Join SCWF, private landowners, and corporate landowners in enhancing key breeding habitat areas with nest boxes. 100% of your donation will go towards materials to build, install, and maintain nest boxes. Help us ensure that the “sweet” song of the Prothonotary Warbler is a sound our swamps and forested wetlands will have for generations to come.

Come be our intern!

Are you a college student studying English, marketing, communications or something similar? Do you have a strong interest in conserving and helping the environment? Do you enjoy bringing the community together through events?

SCWF is seeking a marketing and communications intern for 2019. Combine your love of the environment and outdoors with your love of technology and communications all while gaining vital experience for the work force.

Ideal candidate is a social media savvy people person who can enjoy working both indoors and out. Bonus points for blogging or graphic design experience. Even more bonus points for being willing to learn.

Interested? See official position description by clicking below. Send résumé and cover letter to kristin@scwf.org

 

 

 

position description

Cover photo by Nancy Cozart