Education Archives - Page 4 of 4 - South Carolina Wildlife Federation

A committee of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation board is proud to announce the selection of the 2023 scholarship recipients. Congratulations to Margaret Gaither, Kloi Hart, and Levi Wagner for their selection as SCWF scholarships and to Nina Coli for being selected as the Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship.

SCWF is honored to be able to distribute educational grants to full-time students pursuing a degree in any environmental field at South Carolina schools of higher education. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible, based on their performance in academia and in related community activities. These scholarships are funded by contributions from generous individual donors in addition to the ongoing support received from these funds:

· D. L. Scurry Foundation provides educational scholarship funds for individuals attending colleges, universities and technical schools in South Carolina.

· The Nicole Chadwick Memorial Fund honors the legacy of an endangered species biologist who made a long-lasting impact on wildlife conservation in South Carolina.

· The Riverbanks Conservation Support Fund (CSF) provides financial assistance for conservation oriented projects/programs worldwide that promote preservation of the Earth’s biodiversity.

2023 SCWF Scholarship Winners:

Margaret Gaither is pursuing her masters at Clemson University in Wildlife and Fisheries. She is a first generation college student with a 4.0 GPA. She hopes to work for a state or federal agency doing research in fish passage and is working on this project currently using acoustic transmitter tags. She enjoys trail running and microfishing and her favorite fish is a yellow bullhead.

Trulli — Image Caption: Margaret Gaither holding a female American shad that she tagged.

Kloie Hart is a Junior at Clemson University in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. As a first generation college student, she maintains a 3.9 GPA and is focused on a career in conservation biology that deals with native animal and plant species. She is a member of the South Carolina Native Plant Society and is interested in working with a non-profit upon graduation. She follows SCWF closely to follow what is happening in SC regarding the conservation of our biodiversity.

University of South Carolina student Levi Wagner is a sophomore with a 3.903 GPA and is majoring in environmental studies with a minor in mass communications. His career focus is “to make scientific information more reliable, understandable, and easily accessible for the general public while continuing to bridge the gap between scientists and citizens.” He has a particular interest in coastal communities and is an advocate for environmental justice and species conservation.

The recipient of the Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship is Nina Coli. Nina is a junior at the University of South Carolina majoring in environmental science and minoring in marine science. She is a first generation college student with a 3.97 GPA. Her future plans include pursuing “research opportunities and to serve as an environmental educator/communicator so that everyday individuals may be able to learn about the important environmental topics that affect them.” Nina recently attended the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) conference as a Minorities in Natural Resource Conservation (MINRC) fellow where she was able to put into perspective some of her professional goals, “especially in the SCWF’s mission to conserve South Carolina’s ecosystems, advocate alongside local policymakers, restore the land and environment we rely on, and educate individuals on the vitality of South Carolina’s wildlife and natural resources.”

Congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients. Knowledge lays the groundwork for analyzing environmental problems, resolving conflicts, and preventing new problems from arising. The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is committed to supporting future leaders by helping to provide the financial resources necessary to lay the groundwork for more responsible decision-making tomorrow. We will open applications for the 2024 scholarships during April, and the deadline is October 31. For information on scholarships from SCWF, visit www.scwf.org/scholarships.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — As part of the Grow Outdoors South Carolina initiative, the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) Division of Early Care and Education and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announce their partnership with the National Wildlife Federation’s Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) and NC State University’s Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) to create naturalized outdoor play and learning spaces in South Carolina’s child care programs.

The collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to provide high-quality child care by recognizing the vital role nature plays in young children’s overall health and development, and creating fun outdoor spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity, and physical activity among young learners.

“DSS and DHEC are excited about this collaborative journey with the National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Learning Initiative,” said DSS State Director Michael Leach. “This partnership aligns with DSS’ mission to ensure the well-being of South Carolina’s youngest citizens. Together, we can create vibrant, nature-inspired spaces that foster the growth and happiness of our children with lasting results.”

One of the strongest predictors of children’s physical activity is time spent outdoors. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, outdoor play for young children increases motor development, critical thinking skills, mood and learning outcomes. It also helps lower obesity rates and encourages children to have a better appreciation of the environment.

“The most recent data we have shows that 42% of South Carolina public school students ages 5 to 18 are overweight or obese and over half, 57%, are not meeting minimum standards for heart and lung health,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC director. “These problems often persist into adulthood, so addressing them early is very important.

“We know that physical activity stimulates positive cognitive and emotional development in young people, and natural play and learning environments like those created by Grow Outdoors SC are diverse and engaging spaces where children want to spend time. In addition to increased time outdoors, these environments promote problem-solving, creativity and collaboration with others.”

ECHO, with its mission to help young children develop a love and appreciation for the outdoors, will provide resources and training to child care providers to help them design and implement outdoor learning environments that promote physical activity, healthy eating, and nature-based play.

“Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) is honored to be a part of this exciting collaboration to enhance and activate naturalized outdoor play and learning environments for young children across South Carolina,” says ECHO Senior Director of Design & Engagement Rebecca Colbert. “As an initiative of the National Wildlife Federation, the ECHO team understands that we have a unique opportunity to help young children develop a connection to nature. In addition, our specialized expertise includes landscape design strategies that help mitigate heat and enhance climate resilience – supporting both healthy children and healthy communities.”

The Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) will offer its community-based, equity-driven design thinking to creating healthy natural play and learning environments, where all children and their families can thrive and learn healthy life habits.

“The Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) is excited to contribute almost a quarter century of early childhood outdoor design research and development to an ongoing collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation ECHO program,” said Robin Moore, Professor of Landscape
Architecture, NC State University.

“Working together with Grow Outdoors SC represents a unique partnership,” adds Dr. Nilda Cosco, Associate Research Professor and NLI co-founder with Moore, “that integrates NLI’s evidence-based resources, research tools, and professional development programs to support our NWF practitioner colleagues in co-creating early childhood outdoor environments.”

“And,” adds Moore, “all of us collaborating with South Carolina DSS and DHEC to implement a strategic, statewide vision for center-based, healthy, safe childhoods, engaged with nature – that’s huge.”

To announce the partnership, SCDSS and DHEC held a press conference on December 11, 2023, at MEGA Child Development Center in Gilbert. The conference ended with a tour of the child care program’s outdoor setting, led by representatives from ECHO and NLI.

In 2022, seven ABC Quality child care programs, including MEGA Child Development Center, were chosen as Grow Outdoors SC demonstration sites. Each site received seed grant funding and technical support to enhance its outdoor play space. The first group of child care centers to participate in Grow Outdoors SC with ECHO and NLI is currently being selected.

Grow Outdoors SC aims to transform early childhood outdoor spaces into diverse, naturalized environments that spark play and learning. The initiative provides resources and information on ways to improve outdoor environments for early childhood teachers, families, and community leaders. Through technical assistance and coaching, Grow Outdoors SC equips teachers and child care providers with the skills, tools, and resources to become champions for outdoor play and learning.

Learn more about Grow Outdoors South Carolina here.

See TV News Videos on this press event here:

https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/sc-outdoor-initiative-welcomes-new-partnerships/101-918fcc93-417c-4b3d-b378-b181354b091b

https://www.abccolumbia.com/2023/12/11/nature-inspired-play-areas-aim-to-increase-curiosity-physical-activity-among-children/

Category: Education

2023-2024 Scholarship Winners Announced!

2023 SCWF Scholarship Winners:

SCDSS, DHEC Announce Partnership to Transform Child Care Outdoor Spaces

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See TV News Videos on this press event here: