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Our Coffee Problem:

You may have heard the news that our world’s migratory songbirds are in jeopardy. Habitat loss is one of the greatest threats to these populations, and your morning cup of joe is partly to blame!

Traditionally, coffee farmers would grow their coffee beans in 100% or partial shade grown farms, yet now farmers in the Americas are cutting down entire forests to yield a higher production of coffee beans grown directly in the sun.

The Solution:

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation has partnered with an organization called Birds & Beans Coffee to help fight the loss of habitat on coffee farms in Latin America. 100% of the coffee beans within a Birds & Beans coffee bag are from shade grown coffee plants.  That means 100% of the farms, from which they purchase their coffee beans, provide wintering habitat for almost 50 species of birds that breed in the U.S. during the summer.  You can help save the birds we enjoy in the U.S. by simply switching your coffee to “Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center” certified Birds & Beans coffee.

What is the SCWF Coffee Club?

The coffee club provides an easy and cost effective way to purchase your Birds & Beans coffee.  Every month, an SCWF volunteer will place a group order of the coffee you need to get through your morning (or afternoon, we don’t judge) routines. The standard Birds & Beans $9.50 shipping cost will be divided by all the individuals purchasing coffee during that month’s order!  You simply report how much coffee you would like, the roast, and the grind, and our volunteer will place the order.   You then pay your share of the coffee costs directly to our volunteer via Venmo, PayPal, check, or another means.  The coffee will be shipped to SCWF’s office for pick up by you!

How to join?

All you have to do is go to this link and type your name and email address: https://scwf.us16.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0f71efbf0895d10b1cee47044&id=a3902bf5e3

You will then be automatically added to the coffee club’s email list and will receive a notification before the next coffee order is made.

Note: We know the SCWF office isn’t convenient for everyone. If you would still like to support SCWF’s partnership with Birds & Beans Coffee, you can visit this link: https://www.scwf.org/birds-beans. SCWF will receive 5% of year-end sales of all coffee purchased and shipped to South Carolina. Plus, you’ll be helping the birds!

South Carolina Wildlife Federation Celebrates City of Columbia Community Wildlife Habitat Announcement with Mayor Stephen Benjamin and National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Collin O’Mara

In a ceremony at the Robert Mills House and Gardens, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) celebrated the City of Columbia’s new status as a certified Community Wildlife Habitat. SCWF Executive Director Sara Green was joined by National Wildlife Federation president and CEO, Collin O’Mara, for the ceremony’s opening remarks. In addition, Mayor Stephen Benjamin addressed the crowd and released an official proclamation naming October 11, 2019 as “Columbia’s Community Wildlife Habitat Day.”  Keith Mearns, Director of Grounds for Historic Columbia, also spoke and gave a tour of the native plants used on site at the Robert Mills House and Gardens.

The City of Columbia joins more than 200 communities in the United States to be certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat and is now the largest community in South Carolina to receive the certification. The National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program was created to encourage communities to become more wildlife-friendly through the use of native plants and sustainable land management. To reach eligibility as a Community Wildlife Habitat, the SCWF team helped certify more than 700 local properties as wildlife habitats, led initiatives to remove invasive species in the area, and engaged local schools, garden clubs and churches in educational events on the importance of habitat restoration. South Carolina has the second highest number of Certified Wildlife Habitats per capita compared to every state in the United States.

“We are extremely excited to help the City of Columbia become a Community Wildlife Habitat,” said SCWF Executive Director Sara Green. “Climate change, human population growth, and land development are the biggest threats to our native wildlife. We are grateful to every individual and partner who helped offset these threats by enhancing wildlife habitat throughout the community to make this milestone in Columbia possible.”

“At a time when wildlife needs our help more than ever, planting native habitat and providing clean water can help ensure species—like pollinators, songbirds, and frogs—thrive,” Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We are thrilled to join the South Carolina Wildlife Federation to honor the City of Columbia and Mayor Benjamin for their outstanding national leadership in wildlife conservation through our Certified Community Wildlife Habitat program. By engaging more than 700 residents and community sites, while encouraging each of us to do our part, Columbia is a shining example for all Americans of how we can save imperiled species, together.”

“We are anxious to see how many different species of wildlife are increasingly attracted to and use the gardens at the Robert Mills House as we continue our transition to one hundred percent Eastern North America native plants,” said Historic Columbia Director of Grounds, Keith Mearns. “We also look forward to expanded cooperation with SCWF on the site, in the form of nature walks and other programming.”

In addition to Historic Columbia, other SCWF community partners in Columbia with Certified Wildlife Habitats open to the public include: Harbison State Forest, Riverbanks Zoo, Mast General Store, Stormwater Studios, Palmetto Experience, Rosewood Market, Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, and the University of South Carolina. Individuals or communities who are interested in learning more about certifying a space as wildlife habitat should visit: https://www.scwf.org/wildlife-habitats.

About the South Carolina Wildlife Federation:

One of the 52 state & territory affiliates of the National Wildlife Federation, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) 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. For more information, visit: www.scwf.org.

South Carolina Wildlife Federation Announces Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship Fund and Annual Scholarship Application Deadline

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) today announced the creation of the Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship Fund in addition to the annual scholarship application period. The Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship Fund was created out of a desire by community members to honor the long-lasting impact of Nicole Chadwick’s work for wildlife conservation. The new scholarship fund will specifically be awarded to female students studying environmental fields in South Carolina.

In addition to the newly created fund, students pursuing environment-focused degrees in either undergraduate or graduate programs in the state of South Carolina are encouraged to apply for SCWF’s annual scholarship awards. Applicants have from now until October 31st to submit their applications on SCWF’s website.

“Nicole Chadwick’s passing was a devastating loss for South Carolina’s wildlife conservation community,” said SCWF Executive Director Sara Green. “Honoring her legacy with the new memorial fund will ensure SCWF can continue to empower students who are pursuing environmental fields. Education remains a top priority within SCWF’s mission because we recognize wildlife habitat conservation depends on our future generations.”

All scholarship applications must include the student’s educational goals and career interests, leadership and volunteer experience, and a letter of recommendation from a supporting faculty member.

To make a donation to the Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit: https://www.scwf.org/educational-resources/

For additional information on scholarship applications and eligibility, please visit: https://www.scwf.org/educational-resources/

About the South Carolina Wildlife Federation:

One of the 51 state & territory affiliates of the National Wildlife Federation, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) 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. For more information, visit their website at: www.scwf.org.

Photo: D Dial TidalPool

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) recently hired Shannon Leigh (Turbeville) Keenan as the organization’s new Director of Development and Events. In her new role, Keenan will maintain donor relationships, publicity initiatives and coordinate special events for SCWF across the entire state of South Carolina.

“We are in an exciting season of change,” said SCWF Executive Director Sara Green. “We feel confident Shannon Leigh Keenan’s background will set SCWF on the path for new engagement across the state for generations to come.”

Prior to joining SCWF, Keenan was the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Turbeville Insurance Agency, where she oversaw all marketing and community outreach efforts for the company’s five office locations in South Carolina. She has been extremely active in the nonprofit sector working with numerous organizations including Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services, South Carolina Railroad Museum, SCWF and Friends of Sesqui. Keenan started her career working for boutique communications agency Triple 7 Public Relations, in both the Nashville and Los Angeles office locations. In her role with Triple 7, she served as a social media branding expert and specialized in mainstream and grassroots publicity initiatives for Triple 7’s clients, including local media, radio tours, casting calls and tune-in campaigns for the Company’s roster of television series and specials. A native to South Carolina, Keenan graduated from Hammond School before receiving her bachelor’s degree from Belmont University.

One of the 51 state & territory affiliates of the National Wildlife Federation, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) 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. For more information, visit their website at: www.scwf.org. 

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!