Our public lands and waters are an American birthright and are the foundation of America’s $887 billion outdoor economy. Almost a dozen groups representing more than 100,000 sportsmen in South Carolina sent this letter to our senators and representatives in support of public lands across America. Please read and share.
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Midlands Master Naturalist Graduation
Congratulations to our graduates of the Midlands Master Naturalist Class of 2017!! Huge THANK YOU to Austin Jenkins for coordinating and teaching, and to the many partners, site hosts, and guest instructors who made this class possible, including: Joanna Weitzel & Camp Discovery, Matt Kip, Andrew Lazenby, John Nelson, Nancy Jordan & Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, David Shelley & Congaree National Park, Steve Patterson, Kevin Kubach & Drew Gelder & SCDNR, Ann Bennett, Matt Schnabel & Harbison State Forest, David Jenkins, Vaughan Spearman & SC Forestry Commission, Stacey Jensen & Sesquicentennial State Park, and the Midlands Master Naturalist Association.
The Midlands Master Naturalist course is part of a statewide Master Naturalist Program coordinated by Clemson University. The mission of the program is to create a corps of citizen volunteers well-trained in the fundamentals of natural history, nature interpretation, and the interface of humans and nature in order to empower them to contribute their time and talents to responsible, science-based environmental stewardship. The Midlands course is hosted by the SCWF and taught by experts in the fields of natural history, botany, biology, forestry, and geology.
Students learn identification skills, ecological concepts, and natural history of the plants, animals, and ecosystems encountered. Students will see how this knowledge can be applied to manage for wildlife and to ensure that human impacts on our Earth are sustainable. Through the established connections, participants will develop the skills necessary to become lifelong students of nature and environmental volunteers in their community.
Participants completing the course and 30 hours of approved volunteer service will receive Master Naturalist certification and will be eligible to join a local chapter and participate in advanced training courses.
For information about future classes: http://www.scwf.org/midlands-master-naturalist
30 WAIT Sites Re-certified
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) has re-certified 30 Wildlife And Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) sites for 2017. The W.A.I.T. program recognizes industries in South Carolina who are dedicated to protecting the environment and who keep wildlife needs in mind when making their land management decisions. Requirements for certification include wildlife habitat enhancement projects, environmental education for employees, and community outreach.
Wildlife habitat enhancement projects at this year’s certified sites include wildlife food plots for deer, turkey, and quail, butterfly gardens, wildlife meadows, and wetlands buffers and preserves. Employee education has been achieved through nature trails, newsletter articles, internal websites, brochures and common space bulletin boards. These industries have also established partnerships with local schools, scout groups, garden clubs, 4H clubs, and conservation organizations.
2017 Certified WAIT Sites:
- 3M Company, Greenville
- AFCO, Anderson
- BMW Manufacturing Corp., Spartanburg
- BMW International Technology Research Center, Greenville
- Duke Energy – Bad Creek Pumped Storage Station
- Duke Energy – Catawba Nuclear Station
- Duke Energy – Mill Creek Combustion Turbine Station
- Duke Energy – Oconee Nuclear Site
- Duke Energy – Lee Steam Station
- Fujifilm Manufacturing, USA, Greenwood
- Glen Raven Custom Fabrics Division, LLC, Anderson
- Hartness International, Greenville
- Honda of South Carolina, Timmonsville
- Martin Marietta Berkeley Quarry, Cross
- Michelin Retread Technologies, Duncan
- Michelin, Sandy Springs
- Michelin, Starr
- Michelin Americas Research & Development, Laurens Proving Grounds
- Michelin Americas Research Center (MARC), Greenville
- Michelin Tire Corp, Earthmover Plant (US7), Lexington
- Renewable Water Resources, Durbin Creek Facility
- Renewable Water Resources, Mauldin Road Facility
- Schneider Electric, Hopkins
- Shaw Industries, Columbia
- Spartanburg Water, Fairforest Water Treatment Plant
- Spartanburg Water, Lake Blalock
- Spartanburg Water, Lake Bowen
- Spartanburg Water, Main Office
- US Engine Valve, Westminster
- Westinghouse Electric Company, Columbia
Any company interested in the W.A.I.T. program should contact Laura Blake-Orr at 803-256-0670 or laura@scwf.org to find out more information. SCWF will do a site visit to help companies get started.
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation facilitates effective habitat conservation and respect for outdoor traditions for current and future generations through statewide leadership, education, advocacy and partnerships. More information can be obtained about the organization by visiting www.scwf.org or calling 803-256-0670.
Show your support for Bears Ears National Monument
President Trump recently signed an Executive Order as a first step towards chopping up public lands and making them more vulnerable to development and mineral extraction. The Executive Order opens up 27 national monuments to the possibility of drilling, mining and other private exploitation.
The first of those is Bears Ears Monument, and time is running out to get your letters of support in to save keep Bears Ears Monument public land.
We need you to contact Secretary of the Interior Zinke by this Friday, May 26, and let him know that full protection of national forests, parks, rangelands and national wildlife refuges should be his priority of the highest order. NOW is the time to nip in the bud any thoughts of diminishing land, waters and wildlife that belong to us all.
“It is difficult to imagine why some would not want to protect this place, along with other national monument areas,” says Lew Carpenter of the National Wildlife Federation in his recent article. “To hear some call protecting public lands a “land grab” is preposterous — the land already belongs to us — only now it is protected for future generations. Bears Ears allows hunting, fishing, grazing — and it honors existing land use rights.”
The Department of the Interior is requesting comments until this Friday, May 26, about the 1.3 million acre Bears Ears National Monument in Utah that is the first monument to be placed on the chopping block by Secretary Zinke. Even if you have not visited this enchanted place, this land belongs to you as an American just as much as it does to those who frequent it. If the precedent is set on Bears Ears, then additional national monuments, national parks and national refuges will be in jeopardy.
CLICK HERE TO SEND AN EMAIL TO SECRETARY ZINKE TODAY
Photo credit: Tim Peterson, http://bearsearscoalition.org/
Pro Birders to Sassafras Mountain
Palmetto Pro Birders had a fantastic class last weekend with Instructor Tim Lee! They hiked along the Foothills Trail and to the top of Sassafras Mountain, and learned to identify birds by sight and by sound along the way. Here is the list of species they encountered:
Species List:
Sassafras Mountain
Date: April 27, 2017
Observers: Tim Lee and SCWF Probirder Class
Start Time: 9:00am – 3:00 pm
Location(s):Top of Sassafras Mountain andFoothills Trail
Hours: 5 ½ hours on foot
Miles: ½ mile
Weather: Clear with fog moving in at 12:30pm
35 species
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Wood Thrush
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black and White Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Dark-eyed Junco
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
American Goldfinch
Old Camp Spearhead
Date: April 28, 2017
Observers: Tim Lee and SCWF Probirder Class
Start Time: 7:00 am- 12:00 noon
Location(s): Parking Area, meadow, Lake Holiday, trail along creek back to meadow
Hours: 5 hours on foot
Miles:1 mile
Weather: Clear and cool warming by noon
40 species
Wild Turkey
Black Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Acadian Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black and White Warbler
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Yellow-throated Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Martin Marietta Certified as WAIT Site
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) certified Martin Marietta’s Berkeley Quarry as a Wildlife And Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) site in April 2017. The W.A.I.T. program recognizes industries who are dedicated to protecting the environment and keep wildlife needs in mind when making their land management decisions. Martin Marietta joins 29 other plants in the state with this distinction, including BMW, Michelin, Honda of SC, Duke Energy, FujiFilm, Spartanburg Water, and several others.
Martin Marietta, a member of the S&P 500 Index, is an American-based company and a leading supplier of building materials – including aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt. Through a network of operations spanning 26 states, Canada, The Bahamas and the Caribbean islands, dedicated Martin Marietta teams supply the resources necessary for building the solid foundations on which our communities thrive. At Berkeley Quarry, employees mine marine limestone and process it into aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel) of various grades and sizes. These materials are used in a variety of construction, chemical and industrial applications.
SCWF acknowledged that Martin Marietta is proudly committed to being a good steward of the environment. The W.A.I.T. certification recognizes that Berkeley Quarry has taken a leading role in environmental protection, in part by utilizing the 4000 acre Walworth Plantation property adjacent to the quarry and reclaiming land associated with a former slot mining operation across the street from the active quarry. In addition to planting quail and dove food plots by the previous owner, management has plans to install bat houses, duck and bird boxes to enhance the natural population and diversity of wildlife. The company’s Timber Management Plan used by the quarry will include conversion of a portion of the loblolly pine to a long-leaf pine ecosystem. An abundance of roads and numerous walking trails allow the site to be used for wildlife enhancement and educational opportunities for local schools, civic and church organizations.
If you are interested in learning more about the WAIT program, contact SCWF Wildlife Habitat Manager, Laura Blake-Orr, via email by clicking here, or call her at 803-256-0670.
Students planting Milkweed for Monarchs
On March 28th, SCWF assisted students from Irmo Middle School in planting native milkweed for monarchs, with help from the Midlands Master Naturalist Association, at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia.
Carolina Fence Garden at Andrew Jackson State Park
On March 25, 2017, SCWF was invited to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the birthday of President Andrew Jackson at the Lancaster County South Carolina State Park honoring the seventh President of the United States of America. Andrew Jackson State Park combines history, art and community activities into a setting that details the boyhood of the former president in the South Carolina backcountry.
Fittingly, the Leaf & Petal Garden Club Garden Club and York County Master Gardeners created a Carolina Fence Garden on the grounds of an 18th-century replica schoolhouse. The Carolina Fence incorporates both natural and cultural elements, which have been designated as symbols of our state. The split rail fence represents a commonly used device by South Carolinians in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Fence can function as a valuable habitat element while showcasing the state symbols of natural and cultural history. SC’s State Flower, Yellow Jessamine, can easily be trained across the split rail fence to form a dense and attractive year-round foliage cover. Blue Granite, the SC State Stone, adds another aesthetic and official state symbol to the CFG. A Carolina Wren House, mounted on the fence or on a post nearby, creates a home for our state bird. Wrens are one of the most common visitors to backyards and readily adapt to man-made nest boxes. Additional SC state symbols such as the state grass, wildflower, and plants for the state butterfly may also be added to the CFG.
At the Anniversary Party, Laura Blake-Orr , Wildlife Habitat Manager with the SCWF, helped showcase the Fence which functions as a valuable habitat element and educated park visitors about the benefits of Gardening for Wildlife and the Certified Wildlife habitat programs.
Lake Murray Osprey Nest Webcam
The first egg has been laid! Ospreys Ricky and Lucy have made their home on this slice of Lake Murray, South Carolina heaven for the last 4 years. Join us as we watch them up close and LIVE on this Lake Murray Osprey Webcam:. Also catch up on their last four years by going to the Lake Murray Osprey Facebook Page.
Annual Donation Drive 2017
Dear SC Wildlife Advocate:
From Day One in 1931, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation has been powered by individuals who believe the wildlife heritage of South Carolina is irreplaceable and must be preserved for future generations.
In the beginning of each year, we make a big push to renew memberships so everyone can keep up with our varied education and habitat offerings, as well as track and take action on conservation concerns that impact us all.
Having been with the Wildlife Federation ten years now, I have seen the ebb and flow of public opinion and like you, observed the increasingly polarized dialogue over controversial issues. Throughout though, there has been little or no disagreement over the love and respect South Carolinians have for wildlife and keeping wild places wild.
This devotion to the wild is what motivated our founders, and this is what motivates our loyal supporters today. In light of increasingly serious threats, South Carolinians of all stripes must say loud and clear “Healthy and prospering wildlife populations mean healthy and prospering South Carolina citizens.”
But we can’t just say it to ourselves. We must say it to our decision makers, especially state legislators who hold so much power in their hands. SC Wildlife Federation will do everything possible to keep you informed and to make it easy for you to contact those who are elected to represent you – and to be your “eyes and ears” for wildlife at the State House.
Lawmakers went back into session several weeks ago. SCWF priorities this year include permanent re-authorization of the State Conservation Bank that has protected thousands of acres for wildlife and wildlife enjoyment at a bargain price.
Our lobbyist Trip King is at the State House every day the legislature is in session. Other items on our “To Do” list include:
- Protect and preserve citizens’ rights to question government actions that may cause harm to our natural heritage
- Push for expansion of the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
- Fight to prevent a proposed weakening of the state’s coastal zone protections
- Pass a resolution recognizing the importance of native plants for wildlife survival
- Educate decision makers about the importance of preparing for both drought and flooding.
We will be sending you periodic legislative updates and at critical points we will let you know how YOU can make a difference by contacting legislators.
Sara Green, our education director, is expanding our popular Palmetto Outdoor Academy, and adding new citizen science training programs as fast as possible. The academy is putting more boots on the ground to collect data and monitor populations of plants and wildlife across the Palmetto State. Good science is the foundation for good stewardship.
On the habitat front, our Wildlife Habitat Manager, Laura Blake-Orr, continues to directly engage and educate thousands of South Carolinians about the benefits of Gardening for Wildlife. In unprecedented ways, development and other pressures are stressing wildlife populations. You can make a difference. Creating and restoring habitat for pollinators and birds by growing native flowers, shrubs and trees has never been so important.
2017 promises to be an exciting year for South Carolina and its wildlife. SCWF does not endorse political candidates, but I would like to say that many outdoor enthusiasts are optimistic about the conservation potential of the new Governor Henry McMaster. Governor McMaster has been a steady supporter of several important wildlife conservation initiatives. Also, he speaks from the heart about the natural splendor of South Carolina. We hold out hope that he will be a strong voice for wildlife and wild places.
In closing, we are deeply appreciative of your support through the years. Now in our 86th year, I often wonder how many current supporters of SCWF had grandparents and great-grandparents who believed in the Federation and were members. Support over the decades made today’s South Carolina a more livable, healthy and fun place to live, work and play. And your gift today can assure we leave things in better shape for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Many, many thanks for your continuing support as we start 2017 on a positive note. Feel free to contact me any time.
Most sincerely,
Ben Gregg
SCWF Executive Director
ben@scwf.org
(803) 256-0670
P.S. Your tax-deductible gift NOW will provide us a boost to wildlife and to our efforts to protect wildlife and its critical habitat needs.