Keep South Carolina Wild

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October eNewsletter

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Want to be the first to know about our events, classes, and volunteer opportunties? Sign up here to receive our monthly eNewsletter in your inbox.

SCWF is devoted to helping wildlife thrive in our state, and there are many ways you can become involved with us! Support our mission by entering the photo contest, enjoying fine dining, volunteering, or donating.

Wildlife following Hurricane Helene


Many of our native plants and animals are resilient and have adapted to survive and recover from major weather events. However, following a powerful storm like Hurricane Helene, wildlife can often become displaced, injured, and left without the basic elements they need to survive. Strong winds can blow migrating birds off course, pushing them hundreds of miles away from their home habitat. Large amounts of tree loss can devastate species that depend on forests for food and shelter. Extreme flooding on the coast can create strong influxes of saltwater that dramatically shifts the delicate balance of freshwater and brackish wetland areas, and the reverse is true as heavy rainfall upstream can wash soil, sediment and many pollutants into coastal and marine environments.

With public safety as the top priority, it’s best to give wildlife time and space, observe from a distance and avoid entering dangerous areas to rescue an animal. To report an unusual, rare, or injured animal, contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The post-storm calm is also a good time to fill up those bird feeders as they will be hungry and tired from waiting out the storm, especially during migration season. You can help animals survive in all kinds of weather by creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Oyster Roast Fundraiser at Bowens Island in Charleston, SC

Sunday, November 10, 5 – 7 pm


Come feast on delicious wild oysters with SCWF and help raise funds for coastal wildlife conservation! Ticket sales are now live for SCWF’s oyster roast fundraiser at the iconic Bowens Island in Charleston on Sunday, November 1oth from 5:00-7:00 pm! There will be fresh, delicious oysters, beer & wine, vegetarian options, and a raffle. If you haven’t been to Bowens Island yet, come check out this unique location that is a local favorite known for fresh seafood and a laid-back atmosphere, right on the marsh.

Early registrants can snag one of 25 spots for the opportunity to get a sneak peek at one of South Carolina’s newest state parks, May Forest on James Island.

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024-oyster-roast-bowens-island

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner

Wednesday, November 13, 6 pm to 9 pm

Between the Antlers in Georgetown

Have you been thinking about how to include conservation in your fall plans? Join us at Between the Antlers in Georgetown for a five-course, wine-paired conservation dinner. As each course is served, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck will share information about each of this year’s feautued species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive. This delicious menu was created by Executive Chef Chelsea Cribb and Chef Scott Dwyer. Use the link below to secure your tickets and sponsorships. We can’t wait!

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024-forks-knives-and-spoonbills-at-between-the-antlers

Thank you to our presenting sponsors the Litchfield Company, and TheoLeo Wine, our wine sponsor.

Leave the Leaves Month


As we fall into autumn, here’s your friendly reminder to leave the leaves! Fallen leaves provide many benefits for wildlife, humans, and the environment. Pollinators, insects and other invertebrates use the natural leaf layer to overwinter, and the leaves provide critical habitat, shelter, and insulation for these critters during the cooler months. Fallen leaves can also add nutrients to our gardens as they decompose and act as natural mulch and fertilizer, saving us time and money. Consider leaving the leaves this season – the wildlife will thank you! Learn more about the benefits of fallen leaves and what to do with them in your own yard here.

World Migratory Bird Day: Birds of Ballentine in Irmo, SC

Saturday, October 12, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Image Credit: Cedar Waxwing by Brian Fox.

Join SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan, for World Migratory Bird day at the Richland Library of Ballentine to learn about migratory birds and how we can help them during their long fall migrations. Come with us on a bird walk around the library’s grounds and along their nature trail to learn helpful bird identification tips and have a chance to see some of Ballentine’s migratory bird species! Sign up to join us here:

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024/world-migratory-bird-day

South Carolina Native Plant Week

October 13 – 19, 2024


Celebrated annually during the third week in October, SC Native Plant Week recognizes the importance of native plants, which play a vital role in providing food and shelter for wildlife, restoring habitat, conserving water, and mitigating the effects of flooding. The combination of warm soil and cooler temperatures makes fall the perfect time of year for planting, plus it provides additional nectar for pollinators. Add native plants to your yard this fall by ordering online and certify your yard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat!

Working for Wildlife – Volunteer Workday

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge

Saturday, December 7th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Image Caption: At last year’s volunteer day, Mason Eslinger, marked longleaf pines to help identify trees that are nesting sites for red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Friends, volunteers and staff of Carolina Sandhills NWR along with the SC Wildlife Federation will host a workday at the refuge on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Since 1998, the SC Wildlife Federation and the refuge have collaborated on volunteer projects. Check out our blog post from last year’s volunteer day here. Plan to join us for a day of learning about refuge wildlife as you help conserve and protect valuable natural resources. Anticipated projects include maintaining trails, installing trail and boundary signs, litter pick-up, and repairing boardwalks and kiosks. Sign up to join us here: https://www.scwf.org/events/2024/carolina-sandhills-nwr-workday

2024 Annual Wildlife Photography Contest

open through October 31, 2024


Submit your photos by October 31st to our 22nd Annual Wildlife Photography Contest! Send us your best photographs that capture the natural beauty of South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats – in your own backyard or anywhere in the state. Registration is only $15, which covers up to three submissions in each of the following categories: Carolina Critters, Scenes of SC, and People in Nature.

Read more about each category, and register using the link below. https://www.scwf.org/events/2024/22nd-annual-wildlife-photography-contest

News & Notes

  • SCWF’s Ari Hippensteal, Community Outreach Manager, recently attended National Hunting & Fishing Day! Learn more about SCWF’s booth at this annual event here</
  • Do you know a full-time student currently pursuing a degree in any environmental field at a South Carolina college or universty? If so, encourage them to apply for our scholarship by October 31st! Learn more and apply here</
  • Would you like to learn how to certify your yard as a backyard wildlife habitat? Join Ari Hippensteal for “Trail Talk” on Oct 17 from 5:30-7:00 pm in Columbia, SC. This is part of Palmetto Trail‘s monthly speaker series. The location for this event is the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, located at 722 King Street, Columbia, SC 29205.
  • Congratulations to the Bull Point Community on achieving certification as a Community Habitat!
  • Did you know that leaving the leaves this fall can help fireflies?

SCWF at National Hunting & Fishing Day

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“I loved working at this event. Coming back to my home in the upstate of SC and getting to talk to kids about the nature and animals around them was really meaningful to me.” Ari Hippensteal.

On Saturday, September 30, an estimated 2,000 youth and adults attended the annual National Hunting & Fishing Day event at Oconee County’s South Cove County Park near Seneca. This free event offers many hands-on opportunities to learn the basics of outdoor skills like fishing, archery, and shooting with an air-rifle. Traditionally celebrated the fourth Saturday in September, this day also promotes the contribution of hunters and anglers to conservation and connects hunters and anglers to programs in their state. SCWF has been a proud partner in this event for many years!

SCWF’s booth featured educational animal pelts, Ranger Rick magazines, and an art activity about wildlife! The education animals were a big draw, especially our muskrat. Ari Hippensteal, our Community Outreach Manager, talked to kids and adults who wanted to know more about the native South Carolina wildlife which might be difficult to see up close otherwise. Feeling the fur of the bobcat or the waterproof plumage of the mallard duck gave the visitors a hands-on experience that was a new experience for many. We were also grateful to the hunters who stopped by to share personal stories about the importance of habitat conservation for the future of wildlife in our state.






September eNewsletter

Posted on by admin

Want to be the first to know about our events, classes, and volunteer opportunties? Sign up here to receive our monthly eNewsletter in your inbox.

It’s almost fall! Deer season is underway, and duck season dates have been announced. Did you know that
you can purchase your conservation duck stamps here at SCWF? This September you may notice monarch butterflies laying eggs and
migrating through the state as well as spider webs glistening in the morning dew. American persimmon fruits also
ripen this month.

SCWF is devoted to helping wildlife thrive in our state, and there are many ways you can become involved
with us! Support our mission by entering the photo contest, taking a class, enjoying fine dining, volunteering, or
donating.

 2024 Annual Wildlife Photography Contest

open through October 31,
2024

South Carolina Wildlife Federation is sponsoring our 22nd Annual Wildlife Photography Contest. Send us your best
photographs that capture the natural beauty of South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats – in your own backyard
or anywhere in the state. Registration is only $15, which covers up to three submissions in each of the following
categories: Carolina Critters, Scenes of SC, and People in Nature. Read more about each category, and register
here:

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024/22nd-annual-wildlife-photography-contest

Fall Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation
Dinners 

If you haven’t been to one of these five-course, wine-paired conservation dinners yet, please join us at one –
or both – this fall! These delicious dinners are unique because they feature dishes created by executive chefs
and inspired by imperiled bird species, and as each course is served, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck
will share information about each species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive. On
September 25, join us at The Willcox in Aiken for a menu created by Executive Chef Philip Friesen. On November
13, join us at Between the Antlers in Georgetown for a menu created by Executive Chef Chelsea Cribb and Chef
Scott Dwyer. Use the links below to secure your tickets and see the creative menus inspired by this year’s
featured species. We can’t wait!

Thank you to our presenting sponsors, Security Federal Bank and the Litchfield Company, and RNDC Wine,
our wine sponsor.

POWR Up: Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat

Santee, SC

October 4 – 5, 2024

“Small group size, amazing instructors, absolutely fantastic!

Lots of staff for our small groups so our instructors were able
to pinpoint issues and help us improve.”

Comments like these from POWR Series participants inspire us to continue to provide quality instruction for
women and their outdoor adventures! Registration is now open for POWR Up, an overnight retreat in Santee that
offers the opportunity to learn outdoor recreation skills in a non-competitive environment. There are three
class sessions, which are three hours each, including topics like Boating and Trailering, Bass Fishing,
Outdoor Photography, Hunting in South Carolina, Pine Needle Basketry, Kayak Fishing, and more. All gear and
equipment are provided for this event. Each participant will leave the classes feeling confident and ready to
try their new skills on their own.

Register Here: https://www.scwf.org/events/2024powr-up

POWR+ Education Classe

Due to the demand for our Palmetto Outdoors Women Retreat or POWR, we have added (+) one-day workshops
across the state. POWR+ events are open to all women whether you have attended the retreat or have yet to do so.
Check out our 2024 fall offerings below and register quickly if you are interested in joining us because each
class is limited to 12 participants to ensure a quality experience.

National Hunting & Fishing Day

Saturday, September 14, 9 am to 3 pm

Seneca, SC

Have you been to National Hunting & Fishing Day yet? This annual FREE family event is open to
the public and is a great way to try out many different outdoor activities such as fishing, archery, fly-tying
and fly fishing. All gear is provided! SCWF will have a booth again this year. Check out our blog post about SCWF’s booth at last year’s event.

Get Involved!

Saturday, September 14, Litter Sweep at Archer’s Lake in
Irmo

Wednesday, September 18, BioBlitz at Ballentine Library in
Irmo

Here are two ways you can get involved with us this month! On Saturday, September 14, join us for a
litter sweep at Archer’s Lake in Irmo to help make this lake a safer home for wildlife and people. This event
is a partnership with the Harbison Community Association and Keep the Midlands Beautiful.

On Wednesday, September, 18, come count pollinators with us at the Richland Library of Ballentine
for a BioBlitz in the pollinator gardens! Participants will have a brief intro on pollinators and how to use
iNaturalist for recording our observations, then we will head out to the lush pollinator gardens to see how
many bees, butterflies, and other species we can find. Use the links below to sign up to volunteer for each
event.

Oyster Roast Fundraiser at Bowens Island

Sunday, November 10, 5- 7 pm

Charleston, SC

Come feast on delicious wild oysters with SCWF and help raise funds for coastal wildlife conservation!
Ticket sales are now live for SCWF’s oyster roast fundraiser at the iconic Bowens Island in Charleston on
Sunday, November 1oth from 5:00-7:00 pm! There will be fresh, delicious oysters, beer & wine, vegetarian
options, and a raffle. If you haven’t been to Bowens Island yet, come check out this unique location that is
a local favorite known for fresh seafood and a laid-back atmosphere, right on the marsh. Early registrants
can snag one of 25 spots for the opportunity to get a sneak peek at one of South Carolina’s newest state
parks, May Forest on James Island.

Register here: https://www.scwf.org/events/2024-oyster-roast-bowens-island

News & Notes

  • On Saturday, September 28th, SCWF is excited to partner with the Palmetto Trail on National
    Public Lands Day for a nature hike along the Awendaw Passage. Ari Hippensteal, SCWF’s Community Outreach
    Manager, will be there to help attendees look for native wildlife and encourage participants to take part
    in nature photography. Sign up for this free event here.

  • Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Plishing Challenge! Check out our blog post announcing the grand prize winners to see how many fish
    were caught this year and how many bags of litter were collected. We were impressed!

  • WAIT Partner, Michelin US-2, located right outside of Anderson, SC, is happy to announce they
    are no longer using pesticides, fertilizers, or chemical weed treatment on their property! Check out our
    blog post here to learn more about how they are working to increase
    biodiversity.

2024 Plishing Challenge Winners Announced

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Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2024 SCWF Plishing Challenge! Everyone who entered something into the challenge, either litter they collected from their local waterways or a fish they caught, will receive a small token of our appreciation.

We are thrilled at the amount of litter that was collected this year totaling 1080 grocery sized bags of litter.  And approximately 700 fish were entered with the majority of those being released for extra points in the challenge.

A huge thanks to our amazing sponsors for making this happen for our third year-Palmetto State Armory, Palmetto Pride, Angling Women, Local Boy Outfitters, AFTCO, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.  And thanks again to all who participated in this incredible event promoting clean waterways, conservation, and fishing fun!

WAIT Partner Update: Michelin US-2

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With the goal of increasing biodiversity on their property, Michelin US-2, located right outside of Anderson, SC, is happy to announce they are no longer using pesticides, fertilizers, or chemical weed treatment on their property. They are working towards removing all invasive Callery (Bradford) pear trees, which will allow native vegetation to replace this ecologically destructive tree species.

Michelin recently partnered with Furman University and Dr. John Quinn, professor of Biology, to perform multiple species inventories to record what kind of flora and fauna is present on their property. In addition to seven turtle species found on the property, great blue herons, bald eagles, and a variety of frog species were recorded too.


Species like the ones pictured above are thriving at US-2’s property. Image Credits L to R:
Eastern Box Turtle Strolling in the Leaves by Jenna Plating and
Greer’s Great Blue Heron by Katie Derhay.

With the good work being done on US-2’s property, the nature trail, which was established for employees and their families to enjoy, should be teaming with a healthy variety of wildlife for years to come. Thank you, Michelin, for providing yet another example of your company working to improve habitat conditions for wildlife throughout SC. And congratulations on celebrating 50 years at this site!


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.

Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat (POWR) Series Opens the Door to Outdoor Adventures

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For media inquiries contact: BeBe Dalton Harrison, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, bebe@scwf.org, (803) 256-0670

“Small group size, amazing instructors, absolutely fantastic!  Lots of staff for our small groups so our instructors were able to pinpoint issues and help us improve.” Comments like these from POWR Series participants inspire the South Carolina Wildlife Federation to continue to provide quality instruction for women and their outdoor adventures.

This educational program has grown, from a weekend of introductory outdoor activities, to a progression of topics that help participants build knowledge and confidence in outdoor skills.  After learning the basics with patient and knowledgeable instructors at POWR, participants are ready to build on what they learned at POWR Up and in POWR+ events. These longer and more in-depth programs foster their newfound skills and build on those they already have, giving them the confidence to participate on their own or with like-minded women they may meet at the events.

Registration for the October 4-5 POWR Up is open to anyone wanting to build on their outdoor skills. Set in beautiful Santee State Park, participants will have the opportunity to register for up to 3 classes including topics like Boating and Trailering, Bass Fishing, Outdoor Photography, Hunting in South Carolina, Pine Needle Basketry, Kayak Fishing, and more. All gear and equipment is provided for this event and the small class sizes make this such a valuable experience for the instructors and the participants. As one participant described, “POWR keeps me connected to like-minded women in an atmosphere that brings me back to my beloved Girl Scout days. (It is) A way to experience the outdoors without having to own all the equipment needed for all the activities I want to experience.”

BeBe Dalton Harrison, Director of Education at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, organizes POWR and wants to invite women who want more experience in the outdoors to join in this year’s event. “POWR Up builds on basic skills to help women feel more confident spending time outdoors.” says Harrison. “We want women to not only learn outdoor skills, but to take what they learn and continue it with friends and family, and in some cases develop a passion for it,” Harrison explains. She continues, “We want women to move from awareness of these amazing opportunities to participation in their own outdoor adventures. Women can confidently invite others to go fishing, boating, birding, and more.”

In addition to the fall POWR Up event, two POWR+ events are scheduled for the month of September. POWR+ events are one day sessions that run from 10 am to 2 pm offering an in-depth look at a specific topic. Registration is also open for these two POWR+ events.

●  The first is POWR+ Inshore Fishing with Artificial Lures with Captain Tanya Dowdy where participants will learn techniques to fish with many different types of artificial lures including hard baits, soft plastics, floats, and more.  Participants will get the chance to meet at one of South Carolina’s newest State Parks, May Forest. There will be an instructional portion along with the opportunity to fish using their new skills.

● The second is: POWR+ Beach Ecology with Naturalist Amber Von Harten will introduce participants to our coastal environment at the beautiful Botany Bay.  Participants will learn about the beach environment, flora and fauna, and shell identification.

The POWR Series is presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation with generous support from organizations and volunteers.  Supporters who help make these events possible include the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Bass Pro Shops (Greenville Store),  Nature Adventure Outfitters, Angling Women,  Chattooga River Fly Shop, and Three Sisters Essentials. These partnerships enable us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert instructors.

To learn more about the POWR Series, we invite women to visit www.scwf.org for more information. We suggest that you register early for these fun and educational experiences.

Irmo Middle School wins award for environmental education!

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Irmo Middle School, in Lexington-Richland 5 School District, earned their third superlative award as the 2024 Conserve School of the Year (2024). The school has a green house and a monarch butterfly garden. Last year they were named a Restore School of the Year and in 2019 were named they were named the Overall School of the Year.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named the 2024 Conserve School of the Year,” Irmo Middle School Principal Mansa Joseph said. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of amazing teachers and students. We continue to be committed to nurturing a deep connection with nature and fostering environmental stewardship in our students. Together, we will continue to inspire future generations to lead with a sense of responsibility and care for our planet. Thank you for believing in our mission and supporting our journey toward a more sustainable future. Our goal is that we continue to believe, collaborate and be consistent towards our vision.”

The Green Steps program encourages individual schools in South Carolina to take annual steps toward becoming more environmentally responsible. Developed by Keep the Midlands Beautiful (KMB), Sonoco Recycling (SR) and DHEC’s Office of Recycling, Green Steps began in the 2003-2004 school year with seven Midlands school participating. To compete, schools need to document model quality projects for all of the following:

·         Conserve projects include smart energy use and saving natural resources by reducing, reusing and recycling.

·         Protect projects improve air and water quality.

·         Restore projects enhance soil and habitat.

POWR + Shooting Experience

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Our POWR+ Shooting Experience participants had an incredible day at DNR’s Wateree Range in Eastover on Monday, August 19th! The participants were welcomed by BeBe Dalton Harrison, SCWF’s Director of Education. Before heading to the range, the day started with a thorough safety talk by the SCDNR officers.


The class split into two groups of four and headed out to try riflery or shotgun. At the riflery range, each participant had the opportunity to shoot three riffles. The officers were provided instruction on how to use each gun and were patient and knowledgeable instructors.






After the first shooting session, the participants headed back to the classroom to gather for lunch and a presentation by SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, Savannah Jordan. She covered wildlife that can be seen on the range such as woodpeckers, snakes, and even songbirds. And, there is more to see than you might expect! For example, this beautiful indigo bunting was on the riflery range before the shooting started for the day.

Image Credit: Indigo Bunting by Savannah Jordan.


After the lunch break, the two groups switched. Those who shot rifles in the morning, got to move to shotguns in the afternoon and vice versa. Check out these photos of ladies shooting at clay targets!






Please check out these additional photos from the day!














August eNewsletter

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Want to be the first to know about our events, classes, and volunteer opportunties? Sign up
here to receive our monthly eNewsletter in your inbox.

Although August can be very hot, fish are still biting, and deer season opens later this month! Queen Anne’s lace and cardinal flowers bloom in August, and you can pick ripe muscadines. Many of our songbirds are undergoing the molting process, replacing their worn and damaged feathers with new ones.

SCWF is devoted to helping wildlife thrive in our state, and there are many ways you can become involved with us! Support our mission by taking a class, enjoying fine dining, joining the Plishing Challenge, by volunteering, or by donating.

Wild Summer Nights Online Auction

Thank YOU to the item donors, bidders, donors, and sponsors of the 2024 Wild Summer Nights Online Auction for making this our most successful auction yet! We raised $92,280 to support our wildlife and habitat conservation and education programs.

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner 

Wednesday, September 25

The Willcox in Aiken

Image Credit:
Feathered Flock by Candace Thibeault.

Join us for a multi-course, wine-paired conservation dinner at
The Willcox in Aiken featuring dishes inspired by imperiled bird species created by Executive Chef Philip Friesen. As each course is served, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck will share information about each species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive. Thank you to our event sponsor, Security Federal Bank, and RNDC Wine, our wine sponsor.

POWR Up: Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat

Santee, SC

October 4 – 5, 2024

Save the date! Registration opens
August 12 at 12:00 pm for POWR Up, an overnight retreat in Santee that offers the opportunity to learn outdoor recreation skills in a non-competitive environment. There are three class sessions, which are three hours each. Each participant will leave the classes feeling confident and ready to try their new skills on their own.

Register here: https://www.scwf.org/events/2024powr-up

POWR+ Education Classes

Due to the demand for our Palmetto Outdoors Women Retreat or POWR, we have added (+) one-day workshops across the state. POWR+ events are open to all women whether you have attended the retreat or have yet to do so. Check out our 2024 fall offerings below, and register quickly if you are interested in joining us because each class is limited to 12 participants to ensure a quality experience.


SCWF’s Plishing Challenge

through August 31

It’s not too late to register for the Plishing Challenge. This statewide conservation initiative is designed to keep the public engaged with fishing and to help keep our waterways clean by using best fishing practices, picking up litter, and, of course, catching fish! The overall Plishing Challenge winners in
each category will receive a $500 gift card to Palmetto State Armory at the end of the month, so get ready to win!

Register here: https://www.scwf.org/plishing

Spiders of September

Goodale State Park

Thursday, September 5 or Thursday, September 12

Join Austin Jenkins, who teaches and facilitates the popular Midlands Master Naturalist class, to learn about spiders! Some call them “creepy” and some call them “cool.” Either way, spiders are infinitely interesting, and this workshop is designed to help you discover some the amazing attributes that make them so. The day will include a close-up view of spider morphology, analyzing the features that make spider life a success.

Click on the links below to register!

Thursday, September 5, Spiders of September

Thursday, September 12, Spiders of September

Volunteer Day: Litter Sweep

Archer’s Lake in Irmo

Saturday, September 14, 10 am – 1 pm

SCWF is partnering with the Harbison Community Association and Keep Midlands Beautiful for a litter sweep at Archer’s Lake on Saturday, September 14. Archer’s Lake can be a great place for wintering waterfowl, but unfortunately it can also be filled with a significant amount of litter. Please join us to make Archer’s Lake a safer home for wildlife and people.

https://www.scwf.org/events/2024-9-14-archers-lake-litter-sweep

News & Notes

  • Haig Point on Daufuskie Island was recently certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat! Read about their celebration and the many ways they help wildlife in our
    blog post.

  • Camp Wildwood has an impressive seventy year tradition of inspiring conservationists and
    this year’s camp continued that legacy.

  • Savannah Jordan, SCWF’s Habitat Education Manager, recently helped the Richland Library Ballentine celebrate Pollinator Week with a
    presentation on South Carolina’s native pollinators.

  • Sara Green (SCWF Executive Director) and Rosemary Martin-Jones (SCWF Board Member & Affiliate Representative)
    attended the NWF Annual Meeting held in Washington, DC.

  • US Silica in Lexington is one of our more recent additions to the Wildlife And Industry Together or WAIT Program. SCWF would like to congratulate them on providing critical habitat for many of SC’s species in this unique part of our state, and for the educational opportunities they provide to college students.

    Support + Shop

    With fall right around the corner, you may be thinking about exploring South Carolina once the weather cools off. If so, order a signed copy of
    Wild South Carolina, compiled by a mother-daughter team of naturalists! It delves into the most intriguing outdoor destinations, offering advice on
    how, when, and where to experience the state’s ecological treasures.

WAIT Partner Update: U.S. Silica Company

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U.S. Silica, in Lexington county, SC, is one of our more recent additions to the Wildlife And Industry Together Program, or WAIT program. U.S. Silica provides excellent habitat for sandhills species. Open areas on the property provide nesting and hunting opportunities for birds like the American kestrel, painted bunting, and many owl species, including the Eastern screech owl – a declining species. Discussions were had about providing nest boxes for barn owls on the property due to giant swaths of land that would be ideal for this open-habitat specialist. Besides beautiful birds, reptiles like the Eastern glass lizard and Eastern fence lizard can be observed, sometimes quite abundantly, in sandhill habitat similar to what is found on US Silica’s property.


Image Captions L to R: Eastern fence lizard and Eastern glass lizard by Jay Keck.

Shorebirds find food on large shallow ponds on the property during migration to and from their breeding grounds. Industry Habitat Manager, Jay Keck, will be joining a group of bird experts this month to take a survey of what shorebird species are being supported on the property during fall migration. The data will be recorded and could be used to enhance the property’s habitat to help more species in the future.


Finally, during a recent field trip focused on the environment and sustainability, environmental and engineering majors from SC State University visited the plant to learn about the resources utilized for their processes and how they are managed. They also learned how US Silica reuses the water, how they recycle products such as oils and chemicals used on machinery, and how they work with DHEC on environmental reporting and testing. Thank you, U.S. Silica, for providing critical habitat for many of SC’s species in this unique part of our state, and thank you for teaching the next generation of environmentalists and engineers how a corporation can reach its production and sustainability goals through leadership and vision.

SC State University enviromental and engineering majors visting US Silica.

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.