The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is honored to be in a position to distribute educational grants to full-time students pursuing a degree in any environmental field at South Carolina schools of higher education. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible, based on their performance in academia and in related community activities.
- Deadline: October 31st
- Eligibility: full-time students currently pursuing degrees in any environmental field at South Carolina schools of higher education
- Awards: $500 scholarships are available
- Scholarship winners will be announced in January, and awarded in February each year
The applications will need to be submitted online by October 31st, and will address the student’s educational goal and career interests, employment and volunteer experience, including leadership.
In addition, a brief note from a supporting faculty member must also be submitted electronically – please have support letter submitted through this link. Selection will be based on a balance of these factors, and determined by a committee of the Federation Board.
Environmental solutions are not only scientific–they include historical, political, economic and cultural perspectives. The environment includes buildings, highways and ocean tankers as well as pine trees and coyotes. To build a sustainable society, an understanding of social and ecological systems is crucial.
Knowledge lays the groundwork for analyzing environmental problems, resolving conflicts, and preventing new problems from arising. The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is committed to supporting future leaders by helping to provide the financial resources necessary to lay the groundwork for more responsible decision-making tomorrow.
These scholarships are funded by contributions from generous individual donors in addition to the ongoing support received from these funds:
- D. L. Scurry Foundation provides educational scholarship funds for individuals attending colleges, universities and technical schools in South Carolina.
- The Nicole Chadwick Memorial Fund honors the legacy of an endangered species biologist who made a long-lasting impact on wildlife conservation in South Carolina.
- The Riverbanks Conservation Support Fund (CSF) provides financial assistance for conservation oriented projects/programs worldwide that promote preservation of the Earth’s biodiversity.
Friends, volunteers, and staff of Carolina Sandhills NWR along with the SC Wildlife Federation (SCWF) will host a workday at the refuge on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Since 1998, the SCWF and the refuge have collaborated on volunteer projects. We invite you 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.
If you would like to learn more about this volunteer opportunity, you can check out our blog post from last year’s volunteer day here.
If you haven’t yet visited the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, we encourage you to do so. Founded in 1939, the refuge contains rolling sand hills dominated by the longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem. Along with the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, the refuge is home to more than 190 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 41 species of reptiles, and 25 species of amphibians. More than 800 species of plants have been identified on the refuge, including rare species of pitcher plants, Well’s pixie-moss, and the white-wicky.
In partnership with Wildlife Forever, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation proudly presents the South Carolina Songbird Art Contest, which is generously sponsored by Dominion Energy. This contest invites K–12 students to explore our native birds through art and creative writing. This fun competition celebrates our feathered friends while encouraging young artists to learn about their habitats and conservation.
The 2025 featured species include the black-and-white warbler, purple finch, Carolina wren, painted bunting, and white-breasted nuthatch.
The Songbird Art Contest invites you to choose a bird, learn its story, and bring it to life through your own art. If you’re in grade 4 or higher, you’ll also write a short creative writing piece to share what makes your bird special.
Judging: There will be first, second, and third place awards given to each of the grade ranges listed below.
Grades K–3
- 1st Place: Youth Binoculars · Ranger Rick subscription · Prismacolor Art Supplies
- 2nd Place: Ranger Rick subscription · Prismacolor Art Supplies
- 3rd Place: Ranger Rick subscription
Grades 4–6
- 1st Place: Youth Binoculars · South Carolina Bird Guide · Prismacolor Art Supplies
- 2nd Place: Prismacolor Art Supplies · How to Draw Birds Book
- 3rd Place: Bird Guide
Grades 7–9
- 1st Place: Youth Binoculars · South Carolina Bird Guide · Prismacolor Art Supplies
- 2nd Place: Prismacolor Art Supplies · South Carolina Bird Guide
- 3rd Place: Prismacolor Art Supplies
Grades 10–12
- 1st Place: Youth Binoculars · South Carolina Bird Guide · Prismacolor Art Supplies
- 2nd Place: How to Draw Birds Book · Prismacolor Art Supplies
- 3rd Place: South Carolina Bird Guide
Please note that all South Carolina state winners will automatically be included in the national contest.
Quick Guidelines
- Eligibility: Open to all South Carolina students, grades K–12.
- Artwork: Original, hand-done art only — no digital, AI-generated, or computer-edited images.
- Writing: Grades 4–12 must include a short creative writing piece (optional for grades K–3).
- Limit: One entry per student.
- Deadlines: South Carolina entries due November 30, 2025
For complete contest rules and entry details, visit the Wildlife Forever Songbird Art Contest Rules
Thank you for your interest. Ticket sales closed on Thursday, October 23, at 3pm.
Come feast on delicious wild oysters with SCWF and help raise funds for coastal wildlife conservation! Natural habitat is disappearing at an alarming rate, and local wildlife need our help to conserve and restore the woods, waters, and wetlands on which they depend.
Ticket sales are now live for SCWF’s oyster roast fundraiser at the iconic Bowens Island in Charleston on Sunday, October 26th from 3:00 – 5:00 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. All sponsorships include a VIP social from 2:00 – 3:00 pm.
Plus you are doubling your impact for conservation since Bowens Island restaurant participates in SCDNR’s oyster shell recycling program, so our used oyster shells will be returned to the environment to build new reefs!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
SCWF Friends
Dr. George B. Del Porto &
Mrs. Karen Del Porto
Trip King
Nancy Swan
Chili Sponsor
Dessert Sponsor
Beer Sponsor
Become a sponsor to help us increase our impact for local wildlife!
Refund Policy: 90% of ticket price will be refunded for cancellation more than two weeks prior to the event; 75% refunded when less than two weeks before event. All refund requests must be made via email to mail@scwf.org.
This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.
Ladies, this is a special chance to go on a Quail Hunt with SCWF Board Member Hunter Morton of All In Kennels. We had a wonderful time with Hunter in 2023 for our first POWR+ Quail Hunt, and are thrilled that he is able to lead this hunt again.
Please bring a light lunch and snacks but we will also provide venison burgers and chips.
The cost of this class is $100 and will be limited to 10 participants, so sign up now if you are interested!
Thanks to funding from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, all participants will receive:
- Orange/camo richardson hat
- A safety vest
- Ear/eye protection.
This is a POWR+ event. Due to the demand for our Palmetto Outdoors Women Retreat (POWR), we have added (+) one-day workshops across the state. POWR+ events are open to all women whether you have attended the retreat or not.
This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.
Ladies, if you have a fear of guns, misunderstanding of guns, or a general curiosity about handguns, then this is the class for you! The POWR+ Handgun Orientation class is for women who have little to no experience with handguns but a desire to learn about the safety, handling, and techniques that are required to properly handle and shoot a handgun. Most of this class is based in a classroom setting with some live fire on the range. SCWF staff will also present about wildlife that can be seen on the range and participants will receive photos of themselves after the event.
Our instructors are DNR Law Enforcement professionals with handgun training and an expertise in this field. This class IS NOT a CWP class, but rather a pre-CWP class.
Lunch will be provided but please bring any other personal items you might need (sunscreen, water, etc.). We provide an array of handguns and ammunition, although you can bring your own handgun if you choose, but you will have to provide your own ammunition.
This is a fun, low stress class that will teach you what you need to know going forward in the sporting field, hunting environment or CWP training.
This is a POWR+ event. Due to the demand for our Palmetto Outdoors Women Retreat (POWR), we have added (+) one-day workshops across the state. POWR+ events are open to all women whether you have attended the retreat or not.
The cost of this class is $100 and will be limited to 15 participants, so sign up now if you are interested!
Thanks to funding from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, all those who participate will receive:
- Orange/camo Richardson hat
- A safety vest
- Ear/eye protection.
Please note that you must be 18 to participate in this class.
Calling all conservationists! Do you want to make a direct impact on the conservation of South Carolina’s natural resources? Do you want to help protect our state’s beautiful natural areas? If so, then please use the link below to sign up to volunteer for SCWF’s EcoLeaders program at Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia, SC. This event will be held on Monday, July 21st from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Participants will be planting native plants for wildlife habitat and pollinators. This new native plant garden will then be certified by the National Wildlife Federation.
Did you know that planting native plants not only has a significant positive impact for native wildlife species, but it also serves as carbon storage. Carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is a leading cause of climate change and plants are great at taking CO2 out of our atmosphere and storing it in the ground, which is very beneficial to soil and wildlife.
Please be prepared for a full day outside. We recommend bringing a hat, plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray. SCWF will provide snacks and lunch.
Thank you to the Bloomberg Philanthropies & the City of Columbia for sponsoring this project!
This class is full! Please add yourself to the waiting list here.
You are invited to join Captain Tanya Dowdy for an Inshore Fishing Day at Nemours Plantation from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. This incredible property is located is 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!
Beat the heat this summer by joining us on Saturday, July 12th from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at the Water for Wildlife Workshop. This is a fun, interactive, and educational workshop where you will learn about the importance of providing water for wildlife and the variety of ways to add water sources to your own yard, garden, or greenspace. Plus, learn how you can get your yard certified as a Certified Wildlife Habitat and make your own bee waterer to take home to help wildlife in your own yard!
Participants will also see a rain barrel demonstration and learn about water conservation and watershed protection from a Water Resources Agent with Sumter County’s Clemson Extension Service and Sumter Soil and Water.
Be sure to register each participant; up to six family members can be registered at once!
Camp Wildwood is a high energy hands on, outdoor environmental camp sponsored by the Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, South Carolina State Parks, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Camp Wildwood is a fun-filled week during which high school students can experience the many aspects of their natural environment. It is a place to discover that we are part of nature and everything we do in some way affects the natural balance. At Camp Wildwood, you acquire the knowledge and appreciation needed for the protection and wise use of our natural resources.
Camp Wildwood is a place for learning self reliance, self discipline and independence in an outdoors setting. It is a place to build self confidence in relationships with adults and peers, and a place to learn how to cooperate within a group. It is also a place to learn about the diversity of our natural resources and how many career choices there are in the environmental field. Scholarships are available through SCWF – inquire for more information to BeBe Dalton Harrison, SCWF Director of Education.