Keep South Carolina Wild

Category: Birding

Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat 2026

REGISTRATION IS FULL

To join the wait list, please click on the button below.

We are thrilled to offer this year’s POWR (Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat) at Hickory Knob State Park this year! This event is designed for women to experience nature and outdoor recreation with like-minded ladies in a non-competitive environment.

Archery, nature hikes, kayaking, and fishing are just a few of the 20 classes to choose from. Participants will have the opportunity to select up to 8 classes and be introduced to many outdoor activities.

LOCATION:  POWR will be held at  Hickory Knob State Park and resort. (1591 Resort Drive, McCormick, SC 29835)

AGE GUIDELINES:  Open to females age 16 and older (no maximum age). Girls ages 16-18 must be accompanied by responsible adult – no supervision will be provided.

Cost: $175, which includes the retreat classes and a t-shirt. *Optional meal plan: $115. Lodging arrangements must be made separately.
*Meal plan includes pre-payment for Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast. If you don’t choose the meal plan, you may eat at the restaurant for whichever meals you choose, and will need to pay the cashier after each meal.

DATES/TIMES:  October 23rd-25th, 2026. POWR will open for check-in at 11:00 am on Friday. The first class begins at 1:30 pm on Friday, and the last class concludes Sunday at noon.  

TENTATIVE CLASS LIST: 

Archery
Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Birding
Boating And Trailering
Eco-Hiking
Fish Cleaning & Cooking
Freshwater Fishing
Intro To Deer Hunting
Kayaking Intro
Lake Thurmond Paddle
Low Ropes
Map & Compass Reading
Nature Crafts
Nature Spa
Pine Needle Basketry
Self Defense
Skeet Shooting
Yoga

 

REGISTRATION PROCESS: Registration button is below, and is opening on June 24th at 12pm! Each participant must register separately. After registration, participants will receive a unique code to reserve their room at Hickory Knob State Park and Resort. Campsites are also available. A separate class selection email will be sent out at a later date to all registered participants.

EVENT REGISTRATION REFUNDS:  90% of registration, t-shirt & meal plan fees will be refunded when requested in writing or by email on or before October 11th. 50% of registration fees will be refunded if requested after that date.

 

Thank you to our partners and sponsors!

The Retreat is presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. We are especially grateful to our sponsors, Comporium, SC Department of Natural Resources, Fish America Foundation, Zman, Barron’s Outfitters, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the BassPro/Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. These partnerships enable us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert instructors. A special thank you is due to the numerous individual volunteers who so willingly donate their time to share their knowledge and expertise.

 

Palmetto Pro Birders: Lake Murray Paddle

This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.

 

Join Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, for a Pro Birder paddle at a beautiful, secluded cove on the northwest side of Lake Murray. We will kayak under a bridge that is home to hundreds of breeding cliff swallows and will get a great look at their clay nests built directly onto the bridge. It’s one of Jay’s favorite things to see on any of our trips!

On this trip, Jay will focus his efforts on a section of the creek that is below a canopy of river birch, tulip poplars, and Carolina willows. The shade will help us stay comfortable, and being among the trees will place us directly in the breeding habitat of some of the neotropical migrants that call South Carolina home during the summer months.

We will be on the lookout for species such as the belted kingfisher, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-billed cuckoo, and Kentucky warbler. On the fall paddle, we even saw a clapper rail at this location!

This paddle is limited to six guests, so register early to secure your spot.

 

 

Where:  Prosperity (Crayne’s Landing)

When:  Monday, June 11th at 7 am  (Rain Date – June 12th.)

 

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16.  This training will count for one day toward Palmetto Pro Birder certification (8 days needed total).

Jay Keck

Jay has been a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens. He lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and two boys, and has identified 95 bird species in his yard in three years, as well as 160 species in Lexington county since moving back in September of 2013. He has viewed birds in Spain, Chile, Honduras, and Costa Rica, as well as many areas in SC from the mountains to the coast. Being inspired by SCWF’s mission, he earned his Palmetto Pro Birder certification, and has led bird walks for SCWF as well as Saluda Shoals park, Columbia Audubon, and private organizations. Even when he is golfing, hunting, or fishing, he is secretly birding. At SCWF, Jay coordinates the Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT) program as well as leading birding classes for the Palmetto Pro Birder & Midlands Master Naturalist programs.

Other Important Notes:

• If available, please bring binoculars & your favorite field guide to Eastern birds.

• After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.

Cost: The cost is $100.00 per person and limited to the first 6 people that register.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape for this paddle.

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Featured Image Credit: Red-headed woodpecker by Amanda Johnson.

Banner Image Credit: Sad Shad by Brian Fox.

Palmetto Pro Birders: Blue Ridge Parkway

The Parkway is open again!!! We can now resume our annual summer road trip to explore the Blueridge Parkway after talking to USFS staff who confirmed the parkway is open again. Early June is peak breeding season for many of the birds that migrated through SC to the beautiful forests and fields of the Appalachian Mountains.  With a higher elevation, the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC are home to many neo-tropical species like the Canada warbler, cerulean warbler, and scarlet tanager during the breeding season. Other birds we only see in the winter, like the brown creeper, winter wren, and the hermit thrush, also breed there and sing their sweet songs, which we don’t get to hear during the non-breeding season.

Along with those spectacular birds, we will also have the chance to see an amazing bird called the red crossbill, a species only found in the Blue Ridge Mountains in our part of the country. Irvin Pitts and Jay Keck will be guiding a group of ten at various lookout spots and parks along the Blue Ridge Mountains. This will be a full day of birding in order to see as many as these special birds as possible while we’re in the mountains. We look forward to seeing you in higher elevations and cooler temperatures this June!

Where:  Meet up location is the Blue Ridge Parkway Folk Art Center. (382 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28805)

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16.  This training will count for one day toward Palmetto Pro Birder certification (8 days needed total). For SC Master Naturalists, this event can count as Advanced Training and towards your statewide certification. If you are not a Pro Birder or Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us. After registration, you will receive an email with directions and any other details pertinent to the class.

When:  Monday, June 8th from 7 am until 1 pm. Rain Date is Tuesday, June 9th.

Instructors: This class will be led by Irvin Pitts, SCWF Outdoor Academy Instructor, and Jay Keck, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager.

Irvin Pitts

Irvin retired from a career with the South Carolina State Park Service where he served as Parks Biologist and Chief of Resource Management. Prior to that, he worked at Table Rock and Caesars Head State Parks as park naturalist. Irvin retired from a career with the South Carolina State Park Service where he served as Parks Biologist and Chief of Resource Management. Prior to that, he worked at Table Rock and Caesars Head State Parks as park naturalist.

Jay Keck, SCWF Habitat Education Manager. Jay has been a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens. He lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and two boys, and has identified 108 bird species in his yard in three years, as well as 187 species in Lexington county since moving back in September of 2013. He has viewed birds in Spain, Chile, Honduras, and Costa Rica, as well as many areas in SC from the mountains to the coast. Being inspired by SCWF’s mission, he earned his Palmetto Pro Birder certification, and has led bird walks for SCWF as well as Saluda Shoals park, Columbia Audubon, and private organizations. Even when he is golfing, hunting, or fishing, he is secretly birding. At SCWF, Jay coordinates the Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT) program as well as leading birding classes for the Palmetto Pro Birder & Midlands Master Naturalist programs.

Jay Keck

Other Important Notes:

•    If available, please bring binoculars & your favorite field guide to Eastern birds.

•    Restrooms are available, and pink and blue bushes are along the trail…

•    Participants should bring water and be prepared for a day in the field.

•    The rain date for this event is Tuesday, June 9th.

•    After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.

Cost: The cost is $100.00 per person and limited to the first 10 people that register.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. Birding involves a lot of standing, and we may cover some distance in our field work.

 

Thank you to our program sponsors!

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Featured Image Credit: Cerulean warbler by Craig Williams.

 

Palmetto Pro Birders: Birds of the Blackwater

 

This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.

Come be the FIRST to explore SCWF’s beautiful property in Sumter, SC, to look for colorful migratory birds like, scarlet tanagers, American redstarts, yellow-throated vireos, and maybe a Baltimore oriole or two. Jay Keck will be leading this bird-focused tour, but Allison Bugarin, SCWF’s Education and Outreach Manager, will be pointing out any of the amphibians and reptiles at this location, which is rich in biodiversity. The property is bordered by a wetland called Green Swamp, a black water stream and floodplain that has the potential to support prothonotary warblers, various owl species, and many other birds. As always, Jay and Allison will be pointing out the various native plants and any of the critters that may be feasting on, or hiding within them. Please join us on this first-ever class at our very own property! We look forward to seeing you there! 

Image Credit: Searching for Dinner by James Davis featuring a Red-shouldered Hawk.

Image Credit: Atlantic Coast Slimy Salamander by Allison Bugarin

Where:  Sumter, SC (SCWF Property)

When:  Monday, May 4th from 7 am -11 am. (Rain Date – May 5th.)

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16.  This training will count for one day toward Palmetto Pro Birder certification (8 days needed total).

Jay Keck

Jay has been a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens. He lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and two boys, and has identified 95 bird species in his yard in three years, as well as 160 species in Lexington county since moving back in September of 2013. He has viewed birds in Spain, Chile, Honduras, and Costa Rica, as well as many areas in SC from the mountains to the coast. Being inspired by SCWF’s mission, he earned his Palmetto Pro Birder certification, and has led bird walks for SCWF as well as Saluda Shoals park, Columbia Audubon, and private organizations. Even when he is golfing, hunting, or fishing, he is secretly birding. At SCWF, Jay coordinates the Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT) program as well as leading birding classes for the Palmetto Pro Birder & Midlands Master Naturalist programs.

 

Allison Bugarin, SCWF’s Education & Outreach Manager. In this role, she manages education and outreach programs, including Palmetto Outdoor Women’s Retreat and the Midlands Master Naturalist program. Allison has been a passionate nature lover since her childhood. She fell in love with birds when she got the chance to monitor red-cockaded woodpeckers on a military base. She earned her Bachelors in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences through Oregon State University. She lives in Eastover, SC, and has enjoyed observing birds throughout South Carolina. Allison has participated in bird monitoring, citizen science projects, and conservation work, and has viewed birds in multiple U.S. states and abroad. Even when she’s hiking, gardening, or exploring, she’s always watching and listening for birds.

 

Other Important Notes:

• If available, please bring binoculars & your favorite field guide to Eastern birds.

• After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.

Cost: The cost is $75.00 per person and limited to the first 10 people that register.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape for this walk.

Featured Image Credit: Downy Woodpecker perched by Cassandra Elkins

Palmetto Pro Birders: Lake Murray Paddle

 

This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.

Join Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, for a Pro Birder paddle at a beautiful secluded cove on the northwest side of Lake Murray. We will kayak under a bridge that is home to hundreds of breeding cliff swallows, and will get a great look at their clay nests built directly onto the bridge! It’s one of Jay’s favorite things to see on any of our trips! We will be on the lookout for species such as the belted kingfisher, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-billed cuckoo, and black-throated blue warbler. On the fall paddle we saw a clapper rail at this location! This paddle is limited to six guests, so register early to secure your spot.

 

 

 

Where:  Prosperity (Crayne’s Landing)

When:  Monday, April 27th at 7 am  (Rain Date – April 28th.)

 

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16.  This training will count for one day toward Palmetto Pro Birder certification (8 days needed total).

Jay Keck

Jay has been a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens. He lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and two boys, and has identified 95 bird species in his yard in three years, as well as 160 species in Lexington county since moving back in September of 2013. He has viewed birds in Spain, Chile, Honduras, and Costa Rica, as well as many areas in SC from the mountains to the coast. Being inspired by SCWF’s mission, he earned his Palmetto Pro Birder certification, and has led bird walks for SCWF as well as Saluda Shoals park, Columbia Audubon, and private organizations. Even when he is golfing, hunting, or fishing, he is secretly birding. At SCWF, Jay coordinates the Wildlife And Industry Together (WAIT) program as well as leading birding classes for the Palmetto Pro Birder & Midlands Master Naturalist programs.

Other Important Notes:

• If available, please bring binoculars & your favorite field guide to Eastern birds.

• After registering, you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.

Cost: The cost is $100.00 per person and limited to the first 6 people that register.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape for this paddle.

Featured Image Credit: Black-throated blue warbler by Graham Norman.

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at The Hollow in Columbia

Ticket sales close May 31 at 4pm!

Join the South Carolina Wildlife Federation at The Hollow in Columbia from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a five-course, wine-paired conservation dinner featuring dishes inspired by imperiled bird species created by Executive Chef Dante Serra.

This year’s featured species include the Eastern whip-poor-will, golden-winged warbler, green heron, prairie warbler, yellow-billed cuckoo, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series. We can’t wait to see the menu inspired by these species! 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.

This convivial evening will not disappoint! Purchase your tickets early to ensure that you can join us for this deliciously informative conservation dinner. All funds raised will benefit conservation and education programs at SCWF.

Menu

Inspired by the yellow-billed cuckoo
Confit frog legs, potato cake, blackberry compote 

Inspired by the Eastern whip-poor-will
Summer fruit gazpacho 

Inspired by the roseate spoonbill
Crawfish-stuffed prawn, grits, Creole

Inspired by the green heron
Blackened catfish, collard greens, red rice risotto 

Inspired by the prairie warbler
Lemon bar with macerated berries & whipped cream

 

Presenting Sponsor:

 

SCWF Friends:

 

Susan Hamilton & Tom Gross

Drs. Jackie and Alaric van Dam 

Company Sponsors:

Philanthropic Sponsorships


Please consider choosing a sponsorship to further support our mission!

For Company sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets at the $525 level or four tickets at the $1,050 level, and we’ll include your logo on all of this event’s marketing materials sent to our 45,000+ supporters and followers, and on press releases, website, and the menu. 

For SCWF Friend sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets at the $325 level or four tickets at the $650 level, and will be recognized by name on the same formats.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact for South Carolina’s wildlife. 

FKS dinner refund policy: 90% of ticket price will be refunded for cancellations requested more than one week prior to the event. All refund requests must be made in writing or by email to mail@scwf.org.

Featured image: 2026 menu art winner, Gathered Around the Plate by Liz List.

Spring Habitat Workshop

Join SCWF for a Spring Habitat Workshop on Wednesday, May 6th at Harbison State Forest! During this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to create and enhance wildlife habitat by planting native plants, providing a water source, adding feeders and nest boxes, and how their own yards can be certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Following the classroom portion, participants will get to take a tour of Harbison State Forest’s very own Certified Wildlife Habitat and enjoy a short hike through the forest to learn about how forests are managed to help wildlife. Learn more about how to certify your yard here.

Please note that if you wish to stay after the workshop to explore the forest on your own, you will need to purchase a daily permit at the Environmental Education Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banner image credit: Andrew May

Flock Fest at the South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum will host Flock Fest on Saturday, March 21, 2026. This day-long event will feature hands-on activities, gallery tours, birding opportunities, and programs presented in partnership with organizations from across the state. SCWF will have a table at this event, so be sure to stop by our table to learn about how you can help birds at home and in your community!

  • Experience “Wings of Wonder” with a gallery tour led by museum staff
  • Join the statewide iNaturalist birding challenge
  • Learn about bird photography
  • Interact with partners to discover opportunities for birding and other outdoor activities in your community

For more information, visit https://scmuseum.org/events/flock-fest.

2026 Wild Summer Nights Online Auction

This year’s Wild Summer Nights Online Auction runs Friday, July 24th, 9am – Sunday, July 26th, 8pm.

This is our favorite fundraiser because it truly has something for everyone. Whether you are planning your next vacation, event, outdoor adventure, or are looking for a uniquely wonderful gift, you will enjoy bidding on a variety of items for a great cause! All proceeds support our mission to conserve and restore wildlife and habitat through education and advocacy.

If you would like to donate an item or experience, please use the Make an Item Donation button below.

If you would like to be a sponsor, read on for options!

The 2026 auction has a fundraising goal of $100,000, and we need your support to reach this goal!

Sponsorship options:

Presenting, $2,500: featured logo ads & top billing on auction site, event webpage, and press releases. 

Full, $1,500: featured logo ads and top billing on the auction website and top billing on the event webpage.

Half, $750: logo ads and listing on the auction website and event webpage.

Quarter, $375: name listing on the event webpage.

Share your support of wildlife and habitat conservation with our 46,000+ supporters and followers!

You can register to bid here – https://SCWF2026auction.givesmart.com – raffle tickets are available now for a Honda generator valued at $1,200!

 

 

 

Be an auction sponsor!

Make an Item Donation

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Banner Image Credit: Light the Way by Stuart Barfield.

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at Topsoil Restaurant in Travelers Rest

Ticket sales close on Friday, April 3rd, or when all tickets have been sold.

Join the South Carolina Wildlife Federation at Topsoil Restaurant in Travelers Rest near Greenville on Wednesday, April 8th,  from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a six-course, wine-paired conservation dinner featuring dishes inspired by imperiled bird species created by Executive Chef Adam Cooke.

This year’s featured species include the Eastern whip-poor-will, golden-winged warbler, green heron, prairie warbler, yellow-billed cuckoo, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series. We can’t wait to see the menu inspired by these species! 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.

 

This convivial evening will not disappoint! Purchase your tickets early to ensure that you can join us for this deliciously informative conservation dinner. All funds raised will benefit conservation and education programs at SCWF. Vegan/vegetarian options available. Please note dietary restrictions and seating requests in the Notes field on the ticketing page.

Menu

Golden-winged Warbler

Amuse: twice baked sunchokes with Monetta asparagus, bacon, chive

Balestri Valda Soave Classico DOC ’Sengialta’, Italy

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Oyster mushroom bisque, sherry Gouda cream

Vigna Madre Pecorino ‘Becco Reale’, Terre di Chieti IGP, Italy

Roseate Spoonbill

Local beet & strawberry salad, strawberry rose’ vinaigrette, watercress, whipped garlic-dill fromage blanc

Mas des Infermières Source Rosé, Luberon AOP, France

Green Heron

Yellowtail hamachi crudo, black lemon vinaigrette, orange & cumin-scented pickled carrot and cauliflower

Coto de Gomariz ‘Flower and the Bee’ White, Ribeiro D.O., Spain

Eastern Whip-poor-will

Hickory Nut Gap pork cheek braised with spruce tip and rosemary, Carolina Gold rice middlins, fresh peas and truffle

Aguijon de Abeja Cabernet Franc, San Juan, Argentina

Prairie Warbler

Caramel banana budino, sweet cornmeal short cookie, rum whipped crème fraiche, candied cashew

Evolucio Late Harvest Furmint, Hungary

Sponsor

Company Sponsor

Wine Sponsor

SCWF Friends

 Amie & Hunter Garrett

Melanie & Chase Samples

Allison & Anthony Quartararo

Anne & Mark Kaiser

Philanthropic Sponsorships

Please consider choosing a sponsorship to further support our mission!

For company sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets at the $525 level, or four tickets at the $1,050 level, and we’ll include your logo on all of this event’s marketing materials sent out to our 40,000+ supporters and followers, press releases, website, and on the printed menu. 

For SCWF Friend sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets at the $325 level, or four tickets at the $650 level, and will be recognized by name on the same formats.

 

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact for local wildlife. 

FKS dinner refund policy: 90% of ticket price will be refunded for cancellations requested more than one week prior to the event. All refund requests must be made in writing or by email to mail@scwf.org.

Featured image credit: Gathered Around the Plate by Liz List.