Our beautiful state is part of a worldwide “hotspot” for herpetofauna, the technical term for reptiles and amphibians of a particular region. With several different habitat types from the mountains to the sea, South Carolina is home to 143 species of “herps”, which is remarkable for such a small state. The southeastern US is the world’s leading turtle diversity hotspot with at least 20 species of turtles and one tortoise.
Amphibians, like frogs and salamanders, are important indicators of environmental health. Most amphibians spend part of their life in water and part on land, and are therefore great indicators of problems in either environment. Toxins have caused deformities in frogs like missing legs or blindness, and this alerts us to problems before it causes illness to humans.
As South Carolina’s human population continues to grow, all of our wildlife face continued threats from habitat destruction due to pollution, climate change, and invasive species. Herps also face significant threat from collection and sale for the pet trade, food and Asian traditional medicine.
Eastern Box Turtle Photo by Lovelace Compton
Last August, 200 turtles were confiscated from a property in Chester County before they were sold on the black market. This type of activity has been going on for years, but this case received a lot of public attention and highlighted SC’s weak trafficking laws. Our state has become the destination for people to exploit our herps because we don’t have adequate protections in place.
The law currently permits unregulated trapping and sale of striped mud turtles, southeastern mud turtles and eastern musk turtles. For another nine turtle species, the state limits their transport over state lines. A key loophole in the law allows wildlife traders to legally hold as many turtles as they want on their property in anticipation of selling them illegally.
The overseas pet trade has very high profits, and the chance of getting caught has been very low, as are the penalties. Eastern box turtles are in very high demand and can bring in $1000-$5000 each. Other species in demand are spotted turtles, diamondback terrapins, pine snakes, scarlet king snakes, and many others of our native species.
Bills were introduced in the House and the Senate in January that would strengthen our laws and give the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) more tools to apprehend and penalize illegal wildlife traffickers. Both bills enjoy overwhelming support, but the House bill, H.4831, has advanced further and is still eligible to be considered and passed later this year.
The bill would make it unlawful for a person to sell, purchase, trade, possess or transfer any native reptile or amphibian species. It does allow SCDNR to continue to work with stakeholders to allow sustainable trade in important species that are bred in captivity.
The bill would also make it unlawful to release captive non-native reptiles and amphibians into the wild and authorizes SCDNR officials to prohibit or restrict possession of certain non-native species. Invasive species like Burmese pythons and Argentine black-and-white tegu lizards are expanding their reach across the southeastern United States, wreaking havoc on native ecosystems.
Passage of this bill would mean much better protection for our native herps.
But, what about the victims of trafficking cases…what happens to the confiscated animals? Unfortunately, it’s impossible to just release them. Many turtles are territorial and since we can’t identify where they came from, it’s difficult to get them back to their home range. Confiscated animals have also sometimes been exposed to pathogens that could infect wild populations.
The box turtles from the Chester County case became part of the “Bulldogs for Box Turtles” project at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, run by the University of Georgia. This project creates a conservation strategy for assessing and rehabilitating confiscated turtles. The Chester County turtles had genetics and health samples collected. Through collaboration between SREL, SCDNR, and the U.S. Forest Service, the turtles were then moved to a constructed outdoor enclosure. They have now been released with radio-transmitters so they can be monitored. The behavior and survival rate of these turtles will help shape the conservation strategy for future confiscations.
Hopefully, happier days are ahead for our herps!
Sara Green
Executive Director
South Carolina Wildlife Federation
For more than 89 years, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation has been conserving and restoring South Carolina’s wildlife and wildlife habitat through education and advocacy! For more information: www.scwf.org
Did you know you can support wildlife by purchasing a Federal Duck Stamp? 98% of each purchase goes directly into protecting wetland habitat through conservation easements, leases, and purchasing of critical habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
SCWF Jay Keck keeps his duck stamps on his backpack!
Plus, you don’t have to be a hunter to purchase a stamp! Birders, hikers, fisherman, and all other outdoor enthusiasts can purchase a stamp online or at their local post office beginning June 26th, 2020. The more people buying Federal Duck Stamps, the better off wildlife and wildlife habitat will be!
Did you know, almost 38,000 acres at five refuges in SC have been conserved through funds received from Federal Duck Stamp sales? Since 1934 six million acres of mostly wetland, bottomland, and grassland habitat have been acquired through duck stamp sales nationally. Wetlands acquired help purify water, aid in flood control, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.
A Victory for Wildlife, Public Lands, Outdoor Recreation, and Job Creation
For Immediate Release, from NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 17, 2020) — The Senate’s passage of the Great American Outdoors Act is a victory for all Americans. The U.S. House of Representatives should quickly follow suit to help protect wildlife, restore national parks and other public lands, expand outdoor recreation opportunities, and create jobs to boost our economy. The act will permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provide up to $9.5 billion over five years to address badly needed repairs and maintenance on America’s public lands.
“The passage of the Great American Outdoors Act is a truly historic conservation victory that will ensure that America’s public lands and treasured landscapes endure for future generations. It will also accelerate our economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis by creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs, while expanding outdoor recreational opportunities for every community in the country,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We are grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo), Joe Manchin (D-WVa), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Steve Daines (R-MT), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to pass this legislation. We urge the House to act swiftly to pass the bill and send it to the President’s desk.”
For over five decades, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped create and maintain parks, hiking and biking trails, ballfields, hunting access and much more in nearly every county in America. It is funded from offshore oil revenues and is entitled to $900 million a year. Unfortunately, only twice in its history has it ever received the full amount. Permanent funding will allow LWCF to reach its full potential in creating access to national, state and local parks; forests and wildlife refuges, and many other recreation areas.
Funding for deferred maintenance at the nation’s national parks and other public lands will be used to repair deteriorating roads, visitor centers and facilities. Each year hundreds of millions of people travel to national parks, forests and refuges. Visits to these places help fuel the outdoor recreation economy which supports over 7.6 million jobs and over $887 billion in annual consumer spending.
We’re almost halfway through 2020 and every month seems to meet us with a new twist and turn. Because of coronavirus, we shifted our classes online with great success. The events surrounding the #BlackLivesMatter movement have challenged us to take a necessary look at our own diversity practices, leading to a new diversity statement and a shift in numerous internal procedures. We still do not know how the rest of the year will unfold, but we know that nature is resilient and provides peace in challenging times. As the oldest conservation nonprofit in South Carolina, we vow to continue our work to sustain South Carolina’s natural resources and make the outdoors a place for everyone to enjoy.
-Sara Green, SCWF Executive Director
Join us for Free Zoom Learning!
Want to learn about the life of bees, how to fish in Charleston, or how to manage large property for wildlife? Check out our upcoming webinars!
Our Wild Summer’s Night Auction has grown to be one of our favorite annual events and fundraisers, but it is not an event we can safely host during the summer of 2020. While we can’t enjoy wild game, drinks, and live music with 400 of our closest supporters, we can still support SCWF’s classes, advocacy efforts, restoration projects and more through an online auction. Plus, with exciting new auction items and the opportunity for more of our supporters all over the state to participate, we know it will be an amazing Wild Summer Silent Auction!
Save the Date: July 16 at 6pm for a Kickoff Zoom Party!
Do you want to sponsor or provide an item for our auction? Reach out to Shannon Keenan here!
Women’s Outdoor Retreat Update
At this time, we are making preliminary plans to hold the Women’s Outdoor Retreat this fall. Registration will be delayed as we follow the latest guidelines and determine feasibility for our event. We will be sure to update you as soon as we able! You can also stay tuned to our website here.
245 New Certified Wildlife Habitats in SC!
We are so proud of South Carolinians! Between January and April of this year, 245 individuals took a step to make their yards more friendly for wildlife! You too can recognize your commitment to wildlife and certify your yard, balcony container garden, church grounds, schoolyard, work landscape, or any greenspace into a Certified Wildlife Habitat®. To learn more about this program, visit our website here.
If you already certified your yard, make sure to check out the wildlife habitat signs we sell on our website!
Image Credits from top of email to bottom: Ashley Medlin, Busy Bees Pollinating Away by Parker Gibbons, Joanne Wuori, Laura Hendrick, Cameron Foster.
Over the last few months our inboxes have been full of beautiful pictures of birds from all over the state! We love seeing all of the colorful visitors our supporters are spotting in their own backyards.
Today we wanted to share a unique DIY project anyone can do! It is a lovely way to spruce up your backyard, especially if you don’t mind using a vintage teacup and saucer you already have in your house. Our supporter and friend, Jenny Cox, shared her downloadable directions as well as a few pictures of the birds her teacup bird feeder attracts!
Carolina Wren feeding on teacup feeder by Jenny Cox
What You Will Need:
-Teacup
-saucer (or a small dish)
-1/2 inch conduit pipe cut to preferred length (Jenny’s are 5ft)
-5/16 – 18 X 1 1/2 elevator bolt and nut to fit
-Epoxy glue or E6000 glue
Directions:
1. Decide how you want to arrange your teacup on the saucer, upright or tipped over.
2. Glue the teacup in place on the saucer. You will have to firmly hold the teacup in place for several minutes until the glue begins to set. Let the glue completely dry for 24 – 48 hours. Avoid using deep tea cups that birds may have difficulty reaching into for food.
3. Glue the flat part of the elevator bolt to the bottom of the saucer. Hold in place firmly for a few minutes until glue begins to set. Put a dab of glue inside the nut and screw it onto the bolt just until it is level with the end of the bolt. Let completely dry for 24 hours. The nut keeps the teacup from being so wobbly when placed onto the pipe.
4. Firmly place conduit pipe into ground.
5. Place the teacup onto the conduit pipe by inserting the bolt into the top end of the pipe. Fill with bird feed or use for a small bird bath.
Make sure to post pictures of your finished project and tag us on social media! (@SCwildlifeFederation on Facebook + Instagram)
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation has partnered with Hilton Head Author, Elizabeth Belenchia to bring awareness to the challenges of loggerhead turtles as they return to coastal beaches to nest. Released in 2017, “My Walk to the Water” highlights the challenges the turtles face and the need to “put the beaches to sleep” to help the adult turtles and their hatchlings. Follow along as Elizabeth reads her book in the video below!
If you would like to purchase a signed copy of “My Walk to the Water,” click here.
When coronavirus delayed our special dinner event (Forks, Knives, and Spoonbills: A Dinner Celebrating
Conservation), we decided to create a free state-wide art contest. We felt this would be a wonderful opportunity for
artists of all ages to explore some of the imperiled bird species found within South Carolina.
The criteria:
Design the menu art for our delayed event. The artwork should include all six imperiled birds (Roseate Spoonbill,
Red-headed Woodpecker, Bobolink, Eastern Towhee, Scarlet Tanager, and the Baltimore Oriole) and could be completed
in any art medium. We opened the contest up to artists of all ages within South Carolina.
The results:
We received over 20 beautiful submissions! We were completely blown away by the talent and creativity from each
artist. We received art from individuals aged 8 to 76 from all across South Carolina. It was hard to chose just one
winner!
One of our favorite parts of the contest was the feedback we received from some of the artists:
“I live in a wooded area by the Ashley River outside of Summerville, and this contest gave me the
opportunity to paint what I see every day and research birds with which I am not very familiar. I have spent my
life studying and drawing animals and landscapes, but have tended to avoid birds. During this unnerving time, I
found it to be a delightful distraction and challenge, so, thank you SCWF!” -Meyriel Edge
Now…for the winner!
The winning piece of art by Ruth Martin will be featured on our upcoming “Forks, Knives, and Spoonbills”
menu at Passerelle Bistro in Greenville, SC.
Artist: Ruth
Martin of Sumter, SC (age: 73)
Tristan Lotter of Lexington, SC (age 12)
Lani Mustard Stringer of Charleston, SC (age: 50)
Jasmine Hoveyda of Columbia, SC (age: 27)
Hannah E. Marx of Greenville, SC (age: 35)
Ruben Garcia of Columbia, SC (age: 23)
Keresa Shelby of Elgin, SC (age: 8)
Leslie Carter of Lexington, SC (age: 41)
Carrie Brazell of Piedmot, SC (age: 57)
Reagan Taylor of Irmo, SC (age: 15)
Maggie Gardner of Mt. Pleasant, SC (age: 27)
Lyda C. Weston of Columbia, SC (age: 72)
Raewyn Tougas of Ninety Six, SC (age: 66)
Anna Wyman of Columbia, SC (age: 25)
Houston Lee of Irmo, SC (age: 14)
Diane Babuin of Columbia, SC (age: 60)
Meyriel Edge of Summerville, SC (age: Senior Citizen)
Russell Lynn Kelley of Columbia, SC (age: 76)
Lori Grant of Johns Island, SC (age: 58)
Pamela Bulak of Columbia, SC (age: 70)
Olivia Schreiber of Pelzer, SC (age: 13)
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
The artwork contained on this, and any other site under the scwf.org domain, are the property of SCWF and are protected
by United States and International copyright laws. All copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property rights in
this site, are the property of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.
All artwork on scwf.org is copyrighted.
No permission, either express or implied, is granted for the electronic transmission, storage, retrieval, or printing of
the artwork contained on scwf.org, other than that which is related to the normal “caching” practices of web browsers
and activities such as downloading solely for your personal enjoyment. No parties/individuals visiting or viewing
artwork from scwf.org, may otherwise copy, modify, publish, transmit, or distribute the contents of the artwork found
herein. Express written permission must be granted in order to use artwork for any purpose that is not outlined above.
Your use of scwf.org or viewing of this statement indicates your acceptance of these conditions.
As you may know, one of the many ways we positively impact South Carolina’s wildlife and wildlife habitat is through our lobbying efforts at the state house.
Our Government Relations Manager, Trip King, recently provided us with an update we wanted to share with you:
Picture of Trip King
The second session of 123rd South Carolina General Assembly convened on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 and, under normal circumstances, would adjourn May 14, 2020. We are now past the mid-way point in the legislative session. For the first seven weeks of the session, the Senate was basically tied up debating their version of an education improvement and reform bill, S.419, “The South Carolina Career Opportunity and Access For All” Act, which they eventually passed on March 3 allowing them to return to other legislative matters. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives was a bit more productive early in the session passing a number of consequential bills before they began debate on the state budget. On Wednesday, March 11, the House passed their version of the state appropriations act sending it over to the Senate for their consideration.
As we have all recently learned, South Carolina and our fellow citizens are no longer operating under “normal” circumstances. As the COVID-19 emergency gripped our state forcing changes in our normal lifestyles and temporarily shuttering many of our state’s businesses, so it is with the legislative process as the General Assembly has ground to a halt and is currently not in session. On Tuesday, March 17, at the request of Governor McMaster, the Senate convened and passed an emergency spending measure allocating $45M from the state’s Contingency Reserve Fund to be used immediately in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. The Senate then adjourned for an indefinite period. Likewise, the House of Representatives convened on Thursday, March 19, and concurred with the Senate’s emergency spending bill and sent it to the Governor for his signature. The House then adjourned at the Call of the Chair. Speaker Jay Lucas has said that the House would be out for at least two weeks and probably longer. Senate President Harvey Peeler has not signaled when the Senate may come back into session but is looking at the situation on a week to week basis. Bottom line, at this juncture it is unclear when either chamber may return to the State House to resume their legislative work. Obviously, there are a number of significant bills that are awaiting further action by one or both chambers before the mandated May 14 adjournment. Most pressing is the need for passage of a state budget before July 1, 2020, the beginning of the new fiscal year.
As we monitor the situation and await further guidance from our legislative leaders, here is a description and update on some of the legislative initiatives SCWF has been tracking and advocating in favor of, or against.
Conservation and Land Protection – SCWF has long been a champion of the South Carolina Conservation Bank and over the years has consistently advocated for increased funding for the agency. The Conservation Bank is the single most important tool the state and the conservation community has to protect some of South Carolina’s most iconic landscapes and natural resources from development. While the Bank does not own a single piece of property, it has helped protect more than 300,000 acres of land in our state since its inception in 2004 by contributing to the funding of fee simple land purchases and conservation easements by qualified land trust entities. After several years of uncertainty as to its future, the Bank is now on solid footing having been re-authorized and made a permanent state agency by the Legislature in 2018 and the recently House-passed state budget increases the funding for the Bank to roughly $18.6M, the highest level it has seen in recent years. Additionally, the Bank is under the new and capable leadership of Raleigh West who was nominated by the Bank’s board and confirmed by the Senate last year to serve as Executive Director. Raleigh most recently served as Executive Director of the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust.
Earlier this year Senate Vincent Sheheen (D-Kershaw) introduced S.1024, The South Carolina Thirty-by-Thirty Conservation Act, which would set a goal for the State of South Carolina to protect thirty percent of the State not later than 2030 by the use of enduring conservation measures on lands and waters in the State. Senator Sheheen’s legislation would also create the Thirty-By-Thirty Interagency Taskforce to provide for the development and implementation of plans by state agencies to achieve this goal. This legislation is pending in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. It is estimated that roughly fifteen percent of South Carolina’s land is currently protected by state ownership or held by land trusts or under conservation easements. SCWF supports the concept of Senator Sheheen’s bold land protection initiative for our state.
Photo of two turtles on a log. “Raising the Next Generation” by Jo Frkovich
Native Reptile and Amphibian Protection – After recent in-depth reporting by numerous media outlets on the illegal trade of some of South Carolina’s most iconic native reptiles and amphibians, legislation has been introduced that would give the SC Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies more enforcement power to crack down on the black market wildlife trade which has grown and flourished in our state. Dubbed the “Turtle Bill”, S.885, introduced by Senator Sheheen and others in the Senate, would tighten lax wildlife laws and increase penalties for those who seek to trap and sell for profit our state’s rare turtle population and other precious native wildlife. A companion bill, H.4831, was introduced by Rep. Bill Hixon (R-Aiken) and others in the House of Representatives. SCWF has voiced its support for these legislative initiatives as the work their way through the legislative process. H.4831 was passed in the House in early February and, along with S.885, is currently under consideration by the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
South Carolina Resiliency Revolving Fund Act S.259 – Introduced by Senator Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) and approved by the Senate last year 44-1, this bill would establish a state low-interest revolving loan fund to help counties and municipalities finance the purchase of repetitive loss properties due to flooding from homeowners who willingly wish to relocate out of harm’s way. The state funding would provide local communities with the twenty-five percent local match necessary to participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) homeowner buyout program of repetitively flooded properties. S.259 is currently pending in the House Ways and Means Committee and we are hopeful that the bill will move forward in the House later this session. This bill, and the concept of more funding for statewide resiliency infrastructure upgrades in the wake of years of devastating flood activity in South Carolina, has the support of Ways and Means Chairman Murrell Smith (R-Sumter). Chairman Smith recently included $50M in the House-passed budget to be used for “disaster relief assistance, hazard mitigation and infrastructure improvements, and statewide resilience planning”. SCWF, along with our advocacy partner Audubon South Carolina and numerous other conservation organizations, has been a strong proponent of S.259 as well as other legislative measures dealing with extreme weather resilience planning and mitigation.
Plastics and the Environment – In recent years, there have been several attempts by members of the General Assembly to pass legislation that would prohibit city and county governments from enacting local ordinances that would ban or restrict the use of plastic bags and other single-use auxiliary containers as a way to deal with the proliferation of plastic waste and pollution in their communities. S.394, introduced by Senator Wes Climer (R-York) in 2019, is the latest attempt to restrict local government’s ability to effectively deal with the ever-increasing stream of plastic waste in the absence of a statewide solution. Fortunately, it now appears that public opposition to this bill, and others that preceded it, is so great that there are not enough votes to move it in the Legislature. SCWF has been very supportive of our state’s local governments and their ability under our Home Rule doctrine to enact local ordinances that protect their citizens’ health, welfare and environment.
Speaking of plastic, we are closely following S.1023, a bill that was introduced by Senator Sheheen that, if passed, would direct the Department of Natural Resources and the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control to form a joint task force to research microplastic contamination in our state. The study would include such things as the extent of microplastic contamination in the environment, including soil, water, air and wildlife, and identification of best practices for manufacturers and consumers to reduce the production and release of microplastics into the environment. The task force would also be charged with making recommendations back to the General Assembly by December 31, 2021 as to the efficacy of methods for removing micro plastics from our environment and what legislative or regulatory actions the State can pursue to protect human health and the environment from microplastics. SCWF likes Senator Sheheen’s approach to this ever-growing problem and concern.
Banner Photo: Sunset Over the Catawba by Jacque Weir
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is honored to be in a position to distribute educational grants to full-time students pursuing environmental education 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.
The winners of the 2019-2020 SCWF Scholarships are:
Lauren Diaz, Graduate in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, Clemson University
In her final year of her Masters degree program, Lauren plans on beginning a PhD program in the fall and seeking a teaching position in the southeast. There, she hopes to start a freshwater ecology lab and train the next generation of graduate students in population dynamics of aquatic organisms with a focus on lotic water systems. Lauren’s research has focused on the critically imperiled eastern hellbender salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganienses) in North Carolina where she studies the habitat selection patterns of larval hellbenders and the use of artificial nest structures, and mentors undergraduate students who have constructed and deployed over 100 artificial hellbender shelters in mountain streams. Prior to her graduate position, she was a herpetology technician at the Jones Ecological Research Center, a field technician for the University of Florida (UF) researching multi-species songbird flocks, a field technician for the University of Wyoming releasing and monitoring captive bred Wyoming toads, an intern with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) conducting larval gopher frog surveys and radio-tracking adults, and a student assistant to the UF Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit’s snail kite monitoring program. Lauren is a natural born leader who has held leadership roles as vice president of Clemson’s Natural Resource Graduate Student Association (NRGSA) and as a senator representing Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at Clemson’s Graduate Student Government (GSG). For her tremendous accomplishments, SCWF is proud to honor Lauren Diaz with the first annual Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship.
Jordan James, Sophomore in Geology/Environmental and Sustainability Studies, College of Charleston Upon graduation, Jordan plans to attend graduate school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Hydrology or Environmental Science. She eventually hopes to work within the nonprofit sector to help provide clean water to developing countries through testing for pollutants in drinking water, locating their sources, and strategizing how to provide a safe and sustainable alternative. Jordan is a lead intern for the 71% Project at the Center for Sustainability at the College of Charleston, where she coordinates litter sweeps and events such as the Sustainable Seafood Dinner. She also conducts laboratory work and collaborates with Charleston Waterkeeper to help their network of volunteers to collect pre-consumer microplastic pellets (nurdles) used for production of plastic products. She is applying analytical techniques to identify the polymer resin type and cataloging this information to be used potentially for source-tracking of nurdle spills into Charleston Harbor. As part of a field study in her geology program, Jordan will be studying abroad in India to study water resources and pollution in the Ganges River.
Sarah Zaunbrecher, Graduate in Marine Science, University of South Carolina
Sarah has been interested in wetlands and the coast since she was young, and as she grew older she began to see the disconnect between those conducting ecological research and those utilizing natural resources. She has been heavily involved in environmental outreach and education, serving as a volunteer at youth summer camps, river cleanups with Congaree Riverkeeper, and trail maintenance for Harbison State Forest. One of her goals is to work in coastal resource management and she is gaining a better understanding of the ecological processes within the world’s oceans and coasts as a marine science graduate researching phytoplankton ecology. Sarah’s current graduate research is on phytoplankton ecology and how it can be used to explain food web dynamics in the Atlantic. As the base of the coastal food web and rapid respondents to changes in water quality and other environmental conditions, phytoplankton can be used as benchmarks in wetlands and coastal management. Her research is essential for understanding how fisheries may be impacted by sand mining, trawling, oil exploration, and increasing ocean temperatures. After graduation, Sarah plans to apply for the 2020 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C., where she can get hands-on experience in how scientific research can lead to changes in policy and management in the federal government.
Suzanna Ellison, Junior in Biology and Environmental Studies, College of Charleston
Suzanna has a demonstrated history of service to her community and dedication to environmental sustainability. She plans to obtain her Masters degree and is interested in incorporating community gardens into cities for human health. While working at Clemson Extension Vegetable Lab she studied how great the impact of plant health is to insects, how soil health can affect the type of insects that make a home in an ecosystem, and of course, how central insects are to agriculture. As a part of a Summer Undergraduate Research with Faculty (SURF) Grant Research Project, Suzanna proposed and conducted an independent study on how the age and seasonality of burns in the Francis Marion Forest affects the population of four species of swallowtail butterflies. She also has worked as a Sustainable Agriculture Downtown Garden Manager at the College of Charleston, where she managed and cultivated on-campus and off-campus gardens, led workshops, and gave tours of the gardens. Suzanna has served as the president for Alliance for Planet Earth (APE) and a farmhand/site intern with World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and co-founded Buy Nothing Charleston, a community designed to eliminate currency and increase generosity between neighbors.
SCWF Scholarship Program:
The SCWF receives contributions from our members; however, a large portion of the funds for these scholarships are received from these three funders:
Nicole Chadwick Memorial Scholarship Fund – honoring the legacy of an endangered species biologist who made a long-lasting impact on wildlife conservation in South Carolina, this fund was created in 2019 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.
D. L. Scurry Foundation – In 1969, Mr. D. L. Scurry and his CPA, Mr. J. F. Burgess, created a non-profit foundation which emphasized providing educational scholarship funds for individuals attending colleges, universities and technical schools in South Carolina. Since that time, the D. L. Scurry Foundation has helped further the educational goals of thousands of students and many organizations within the state.
The Riverbanks Conservation Support Fund (CSF) – This Fund was created to provide financial assistance for conservation oriented projects/programs worldwide that promote preservation of the Earth’s biodiversity.
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.
W.A.I.T. Spotlight Feature Banner with Michelin Logo
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) is fortunate to partner with companies all over the state for the Wildlife and Industry Together (W.A.I.T.)
Program. W.A.I.T. creates an opportunity for organizations to restore wildlife habitat on their
properties, provide educational opportunities for their staff, and participate in community outreach with their local
schools and/or neighborhoods.
This month, SCWF is shining a spotlight on W.A.I.T. partner Michelin US2 in Sandy Springs, South Carolina. Read our
Q&A with their W.A.I.T. team to learn more about the awesome work they are doing!
Tell us a bit about Michelin US2: Michelin in Sandy Springs, SC (US2) manufactures
rubber products that are used in the tire-making process at our other Manufacturing facilities. US2
operates 24 hours each day and approximately 350 days per year to keep up with demand. Michelin offers great
benefits to employees including access to an onsite medical center, an onsite gym, an onsite outdoor nature
trail, and many more amenities. Leading a healthy lifestyle and participating in community events is a high
priority and proves to be very fulfilling for many employees. US2 proudly sponsors three main local
organizations each year: Anderson County United Way, March of Dimes, and a partnership with Townville
Elementary. As of 2017, US2 has reached a goal of Zero Waste to Landfill by reducing waste generated and by
sending various waste streams to be recycled into other cool products.
What was your organization’s motivation for partnering with SCWF and the W.A.I.T. program? Being a part of the Manufacturing Industry, it can be difficult to overcome the common mindset that
you can make a great product and still care about the environmental impact that is made around you. At US2
we have a beautiful property of trees and natural springs that is perfect for supporting a wildlife habitat.
What is your team’s favorite element of their wildlife habitat? The 1.5-mile nature
trail allows employees and their families to get outside and enjoy native vegetation and wildlife right in
our front yard. The trail walks you through a field of orchard trees and by a huge Oak with a tree swing
that makes you feel like a kid again. You will cross multiple bridges to enjoy the natural springs that run
to 3&20 creek all while sighting the hawks flying through the air and enjoying the various birds chirp
in the woods.
How has your participation in the W.A.I.T. program impacted your community? US2 has
partnered with one of our local elementary schools, Townville Elementary, and we have helped them build an
outdoor class room. This allows students the opportunity to enjoy a breath of fresh air on a beautiful day
while learning in a fun, outdoor environment. They can also actively participate in growing their own food
in the gardening beds that were put in place.
What wildlife, or wildlife centered event (on your property) does your team enjoy the most? Our Carolina Fence Garden, constructed over 20 years ago, remains a staple at the entrance of our
building. It is a nice green space for employees to see and contains elements of our State icons including a
split rail fence, yellow jasmine, bird houses, and a water feature.
Where can people go to keep up with your organization (website, social media, etc.)? US2 does not have an individual website, but please check out ourMichelin website to keep updated on the latest
news and to browse through our tire selection!
Did you like learning about Michelin US2 and think your business might be a fit for the W.A.I.T. program?
ContactJay
Keck to learn more!
