Keep South Carolina Wild

Category: Conservation

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at The Willcox in Aiken

Join the South Carolina Wildlife Federation at The Willcox in Aiken 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 Philip Friesen.

 

This year’s featured species include the common loon, purple gallinule, indigo bunting, scissor-tailed flycatcher, blue jay, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series. 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. Vegetarian option available.

Menu

Inspired by the roseate spoonbill

A floral and light cocktail with a beautiful pink hue and subtle botanical flavors

 

Inspired by the scissor-tailed flycatcher

Creamy cauliflower velouté, basil oil, aged Asiago

Inspired by the indigo bunting

Arugula salad, blueberries, pickled beets, slivered almonds, blueberry vinaigrette

Inspired by the purple gallinule

Seared scallop, truffled pea puree, chili oil, micro chard & amaranth

Inspired by the common loon

Parmesan-encrusted steelhead trout, orange beurre blanc, grilled broccolini, charred lemon

Inspired by the blue jay

Compressed pear, mascarpone hazelnut mousse, hazelnut praline

Make a night of it! Group rate hotel rooms are available at special pricing of $252 for deluxe rooms. Instructions for booking will be included in your purchase acknowledgment email. 


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 45,000+ 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: Gathered Around the Plate by Liz List.

Plishing Challenge 2026

Have you recently learned to fish? Are you a lifelong angler? Either way, you are in the right spot! PLISHING is a combination of the Swedish phrase “plocka upp”, meaning (litter) pick up, and fishing! Join our challenge and, as you set out on your fishing adventures, you can log your fish as well as litter you pick up and dispose of properly. Each fish caught, fish released, and bag of litter collected can earn you prizes (in addition to enjoying the outdoors and practicing conservation!) Click here to get started!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POWR+ Inshore Fishing Day at Nemours Wildlife Foundation

 

Ladies! You are invited to join Captain Tanya Dowdy for an Inshore Fishing Day at Nemours Wildlife Foundation from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. This incredible property is located just south of Charleston, near the ACE Basin.

The cost of this event is $100 and will be limited to 10 participants, so sign up now if you are interested!

 

Thank you to our POWR Sponsors!

 

Introduction to Caterpillars

Join Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, for an introduction to the fascinating world of caterpillars and their essential role in South Carolina’s ecosystems.

Caterpillars are much more than just the larval stage of butterflies and moths. They are a critical link in the food web and serve as an important indicator of habitat health. During this webinar, participants will learn how to identify common caterpillars found throughout South Carolina, where and when to search for them, and the host plants that support their development.

Jay will share practical tips for finding caterpillars in gardens, parks, and natural areas, while exploring the incredible diversity of species that call South Carolina home. Participants will also discover how caterpillars contribute to healthy ecosystems by supporting birds, reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife, and why native plants are key to their survival.

Whether you’re a gardener, birder, naturalist, educator, or simply curious about the natural world, this webinar will provide the knowledge and tools to begin observing and appreciating these often-overlooked creatures.

 

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.

Invasive Species in South Carolina: What Are You and Why Are You Here?

Many invasive species impact South Carolina’s natural and managed landscapes. This webinar will discuss how and why we have an invasive species problem, and participants will learn to identify common invasive animal species (vertebrates and invertebrates) found in the Southeast. We will discuss the impacts of these species, and also if there is anything we can do to help manage this problem.

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.

Field Herpetology

 

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

Spend a day in the field discovering what it means to be a herpetologist! This hands-on program focuses on reptiles and amphibians—some of the most fascinating and elusive species in our region. Both groups play key roles in ecosystem health and serve as excellent environmental indicators. During the day, you’ll learn about field methods researchers use to monitor these species and gain experience applying techniques such as aquatic trapping and coverboard surveys. Along the way, we’ll encounter the incredible diversity that defines our local herpetofauna.

The workshop takes place at Salleyland, a private property owned by the Gibbons Family. The site features a rich mix of habitats, from flowing blackwater creeks to managed upland pine forests. The Gibbons Family generously opens the property to environmental groups and educational programs as part of an ongoing effort to document the species found there. All species observations from this course will contribute to that inventory.

Be prepared for a true field experience—expect hot, muddy conditions and several hours of walking (approximately 2+ miles) through varied terrain. Long pants and knee-high boots or shoes that can get muddy are required. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and consider packing a change of clothes. We’ll wrap up the morning with a group lunch and discussion of our findings. Please pack your own lunch if you plan to join for this portion of the day.

Instructor: This class will be led by Jake Zadik, a naturalist and biologist based in the South Carolina Lowcountry with a lifelong passion for herpetology. Jake collaborates with local communities to provide natural history programs, conduct field research, and offer guidance on land and habitat management. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with the region’s diverse reptile and amphibian species—as well as many other taxa—with current projects focusing on Copperheads and Diamondback Terrapins.

Jake is an active instructor with the Charleston Master Naturalist Program, where he leads the herpetology portion of the course. In 2018, he co-founded the South Carolina Herpetological Society—an effort that has since grown into South Carolina Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (SCPARC), where he continues to serve as co-chair.

 

IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. We will be outdoors during the whole class, and it may be hot. In addition, we will be on our feet most of the day.

Cost: The cost is $75.00 per person.

To ensure a quality experience for all, space is strictly limited to 12 participants. Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with lodging recommendations, directions, and any other details pertinent to the class.
Other Important Notes:

  • Participants should bring a bag lunch and water and be prepared for a day in the field.
    There is no rain date for this event. We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If we can’t make it happen due to weather or some other situation, we will refund your money.

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

SCWF reserves the right to cancel any event, due to unforeseen circumstances, extreme weather, low registration, or guidance from local/state officials. Any cancellation by SCWF will result in a full refund for all registrants.

Featured Image Credit: Southern two-lined salamander by Jake Zadik.

Banner Image Credit: Timber rattlesnake by Jake Zadik.

Earth Day at the Ballpark

SCWF invites you to join us on Wednesday, April 22 for Earth Day at the Ballpark at Segra Park in Columbia. Along with other conservation organizations, SCWF will have a table at the game where visitors can learn all about fireflies, the lightning bugs!

Tickets are just $12.67 to see the Columbia Fireflies take on the Augusta GreenJackets in this friendly regional rivalry that is sure to be fun for the whole family. When you purchase tickets through the link below, you will score a limited-edition Fireflies “COLA” hat with your ticket – a stylish nod to both your team spirit and environmental awareness.

Fireflies of South Carolina: The Natural History and Conservation of Lightning Bugs

How many types of lightning bugs are there in the Palmetto state? Where do they go during the winter? Are fireflies endangered? Join Xerces Society firefly biologist Richard Joyce for an evening presentation about the diversity, natural history and conservation of South Carolina’s lightning bugs, and learn how you can help protect and understand these magical insects.

Banner image credit: Synchronous Fireflies light up the forest at dusk by National Park Service.

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.