Keep South Carolina Wild

Category: Conservation

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!

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!

 

 

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/.

 

 

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.

WAIT Partner Update: Lonza

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I visited Lonza for the first time at their facility in Greenwood, SC, shortly after they joined the WAIT program in 2018. While taking a walk on their nature trail, which passes by some of the 70 acres of mixed hardwood forest that surrounds their property, I forgot that I was still on a property where hundreds of employees worked.

 

 

 

The pollinator garden that was created 7 years ago is still going strong and supports many types of insects and arachnids, which in turn, supports an abundance of native wildlife on the property.

Image caption: The spiny oakworm caterpillar and the walnut sphinx moth caterpillar are both good examples of species that are supported by the mixed hardwood forest on Lonza’s property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To better connect employees to the outdoors, a courtyard was created to give the employees a safe and natural place to relax and enjoy the fresh air and sunlight the area offers. Two outdoor seating areas, where furniture using recycled materials were used, create additional areas for employees to connect with the outdoors during breaks. A solar powered charger was even installed for employees needing to recharge their devices. With plans to install interpretive nature signs at these outdoor break areas, Lonza’s WAIT team looks to further educate employees about native wildlife and ways to connect with it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Lonza for all of your hard work and dedication to wildlife conservation on your property!

 

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.

Banner image credit: Ruby-throated hummingbird on salvia by Susan Stamey.

SCWF Partnership Gives Calhoun County Fourth Graders Outdoor Experience

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“I’ve got one! It’s my first fish!” SCWF recently partnered with the Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation District and Interlaken Wildlife Foundation to engage all fourth graders in Calhoun County in an outdoor experience that included many students catching their first fish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four schools in Calhoun county were able to participate in this program allowing fourth graders to learn about aquatic ecology, local wildlife habitat, and even get a chance to catch a fish! Conservation district staff visited the schools to help them prepare for their onsite visit to Interlaken by teaching them how to cast a fishing rod and introducing them to the aquatic habitat.

 

 

During the field trip to Interlaken, SCWF staff and volunteers joined conservation district staff, Interlaken staff, and a wonderful group of supportive volunteers to help these fourth graders have an amazing time in the outdoors. Students were briefed on fishing safety and fish handling and then had the opportunity to try and catch a fish at the pond.

In addition to this, SCWF Midlands Master Naturalists also led students on a nature walk where they learned about many native plant and animal species in the area that they can look for near their home and school. Interlaken also provided a fun wagon ride across the property where they were able to see even more wildlife and plant species.







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with these incredible organizations as we introduce more students to the outdoors and hopefully spark their interest in conservation.

POWR+ Fly Fishing Experience

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On a perfect morning recently in March, nine women set out on an epic POWR+ Fly Fishing Experience with guides from the Chattooga River Fly Shop in Mountain Rest, South Carolina. After being fitted for waders and boots, shop owner Karl Ekberg and his crew gave these lady anglers some pointers as they set out on their adventure. There were women of all skill levels on this trip from novice to experienced. Standing there in the chilly river under the bright sunshine made for an absolutely perfect day of fishing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the guides led these ladies down the river, they gained confidence in their casting and ability to read the water. Several species were caught including rainbow trout, brown trout, redbreast sunfish, and a river chub. Not everyone caught a fish, but they all caught the passion for fly fishing from truly passionate volunteers.

Legislative Update

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The South Carolina Legislature convened on January 14, 2025 for the first session of the two-year session of the 126th General Assembly. The General Assembly will adjourn sine die on Thursday, May 8 at 5:00 pm.

The House has passed a budget, and sent it over to the Senate for review.  SCWF is strongly supporting more funding for land protection and acquisition in the Conservation Bank’s and the Department of Natural Resources’ budget requests. Additionally, SCWF is supporting the Forestry Commission budget request for more personnel and equipment.

Outside of state budget issues, most of our efforts this early in the session pick up familiar issues that we have supported in the past as well as some new areas of focus.  A few of those issues are listed below – check the links for detailed descriptions and current status of the bills.

Our website HERE has a complete list of wildlife-related bills, updated daily. 

 

Current Legislation:

  • S.0363 Joint Resolution on Shorebird Habitat Protection – PASSED!!Brown Pelican by Jennifer Plunket.
    The SC Department of Natural Resources submitted these regulations that would close Deveaux Bank to all human traffic from March 15 through October 15.  The closure timeframe is significant for successful seabird nesting as disturbances from human interaction has proven to be detrimental to this important resting and nesting period.
  • S.0339/H.3991 SC Lights Out Program – PASSED!! This resolution declares the nights of March through May and August through October as “Lights Out Nights in South Carolina Season” and urges South Carolina residents to turn out non-essential lights at night during these critical periods in the spring and fall for the protection of birds in South Carolina.
  • H.3872 Hunting Heritage Protect Act – ensures that there is no net loss of Department-managed land for hunting and fishing (excludes leased land). This bill has passed the House and now in the Senate.
  • H.4211 SC Native Plants – encourages State agencies, local governments, and private landowners to use native plants for landscaping, erosion control, and vegetation management whenever possible to promote the viability of migratory and nonmigratory pollinators and to help to preserve South Carolina’s unique flora and fauna. This bill passed the House unanimously and is now in the Senate.
  • H.3409/S.0252 Conservation Tax Credit – amends South Carolina’s tax code to increase the tax credit available for qualified conservation contributions of real property. The per-acre tax credit cap remains at $251,000 per acre, which applies to various types of land including uplands, wetlands, ponds, hardwood bottomlands, and Carolina Bays, but would exclude property within the intertidal zone.  The bill also increases the total credit a taxpayer may use in a single tax year from $52,500 to $105,000.
  • S.0288 Transfer of Development Rights – these tools for local governments can be customized to local needs — protecting areas that are of local value and promoting development where local governments see the best prospects for smart and efficient growth. This promotes efficient land use, which protects natural resources and can lead to savings on public expenditures like infrastructure.
  • H.4050/S.0227 Concurrency bills – Concurrency is a policy tool that empowers local governments to synchronize development and population growth. Concurrency can promote more efficient land use by optimizing the use of existing infrastructure and preventing sprawl.
  • S.0165 Conservation Education Act – establishes the South Carolina Conservation Education Fund to support youth environmental and natural resource education programs.
  • S.0383 State Migratory Bird – This bill would designate the Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) as the official state migratory bird of South Carolina, recognizing the species’ significant ecological and cultural importance.

 

Stay tuned to our website HERE for updates on these bills and others!

 

Photo credits: SC State House by Sara Green, Brown Pelican by Jennifer Plunket, and Native Plants by Savannah Jordan.

WAIT Partner Update: Michelin US1

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Michelin’s US1 facility is proud to be the latest addition to the WAIT (Wildlife And Industry Together) program, joining other certified Michelin sites across South Carolina. With a strong commitment to protecting biodiversity, including at its operational sites, Michelin’s team launched a rigorous process in 2023 to ensure that all innovations are properly suited to the specific location.

Collaborating with Furman University, they developed a comprehensive biodiversity management plan for Michelin sites across the U.S. and Canada, including at the company’s Greenville Passenger Car Tire Manufacturing site, US1. Utilizing insights from Furman University and the SC Wildlife Federation, Michelin has made significant strides in creating and maintaining diverse ecosystems.

 



The saddleback caterpillar moth will likely be supported by the blueberry plants installed on the property.



The caterpillar skiff moth will likely be supported by the blueberry plants installed on the property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Efforts include the planting of 30 blueberry bushes, which are excellent for supporting moths and butterflies, and the enhancement of a four-acre area with a diverse array of native flowers. Additionally, multiple birdhouses have been installed around the perimeter, and several fenced gardens featuring 12 different native plants have been created to attract pollinators. In a further commitment to biodiversity, US1 has adopted a 0 PHYTO policy, which prohibits the use of pesticides on the property, thereby providing a safer habitat for wildlife.

 

Thank you Michelin US1 for all of your hard work and dedication to wildlife conservation on your property!

 

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.