Keep South Carolina Wild

Category: Events

Palmetto Pro Birders: Saluda Shoals

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

 

Calling all birders! You are invited to join Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager, for a Palmetto Pro Birder class at Saluda Shoals in Irmo. Since it will be during fall migration, we are hoping to see species such as magnolia warblers, chestnut-sided warblers, American redstarts, cape may warblers, and swainson’s thrush. This class is limited to 8 people, so please sign up now if you are interested!

Where:  Saluda Shoals in Irmo, SC

When:  Monday, October 6th from 7:15 am -11:15 am. (Rain Date – October 7th)

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).

This class will be led by Jay Keck, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager.

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 $75.00 per person and limited to the first 8 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.

Image Credit: Magnolia Warbler, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Things that Flitter & Gorgeous Caterpillars at Stono Preserve in Charleston

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

Get ready for a fantastic class on caterpillars, butterflies, and other insects on Thursday, September 11th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at College of Charleston’s Stono Preserve.

 

 

 

 

Dr. David Coyle will talk about all things Lepidoptera (fancy talk for moths and butterflies) before we begin exploring the native trees, shrubs, and perennials in search of caterpillars. Some species we might find include: the Stinging Rose caterpillar, the Monkey Slug, and the Saddleback, among others. As fall migratory bird season will have just started, Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager and our in-house bird guy, will also be on site to identify any of the birds feasting on caterpillars during the class.

 

Dr. David Coyle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCWF Industry Habitat Manager, Jay Keck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time: September 11th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Rain date, Sept 12th.

Price: $75

There are only 12 spots available, so please sign up quickly if you are interested!

Tree ID at Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve

Join SCWF Education Assistant, Mason Eslinger, for a guided 2-mile hike in the depths of Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve from 8:00 am to 11:30 am on Saturday, August 23rd. In addition to tree identification, we will explore some of the South Carolina’s most prominent flora, what makes them special, and why they are important to us. We will touch on a variety of fauna and how they utilize different trees, the difference between loblolly pines and longleaf pines, and why deer favor a white oak over a red oak.

 

 

EcoLeaders at Sesquicentennial State Park

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headlamp Spider Class

Please join us for us on Friday, July 25th for an arachnid-filled adventure at Dreher Island State Park with Dr. Robert Wolff, professor of Science and Health Science at South University Columbia.

This unique walk will begin at 7:30 pm and will focus on finding spiders by looking for their eyeshine as we explore the park with headlamps at night. The class will conclude at approximately 10:00 pm. Dr. Wolff has spent most of his life studying spiders, and will identify and discuss the different spider species we’ll find in the park. The shores of Lake Murray are known for their abundance of spiders, so it should be an action-packed night! Jay Keck, SCWF bird guy, will also be attending to assist with critter identification, and to overcome his own fear of spiders. So, if you’d like to learn more about spiders from an expert, or instead would simply like to make fun of Jay and his irrational fear of spiders, please sign up quickly to reserve your spot! We’ll be limiting this to ten participants in order to provide a quality learning experience for all! 

 

Class Date: July 25. Rain date July 26.

Image Credit: Hanging on the Web by David Armstrong.

Water for Wildlife Habitat Workshop

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!

 

Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at Between the Antlers in Georgetown

Ticket sales have ended for this event. Thank you!

Join the South Carolina Wildlife Federation at Between the Antlers in Georgetown 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 Chelsea Cribb.

This year’s featured species include the cerulean warbler, American redstart, golden-crowned kinglet, belted kingfisher, Canada warbler, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series. All of these species are depicted in Heather Deacon’s beautiful image above. Heather’s piece titled, Palmetto Feathers, is the winning image of the 2025 Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills art contest!  As each course is served during the dinner, 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

First Course, inspired by the American redstart

Chargrilled Blue Point oysters, mango pineapple coulis

Second Course, inspired by the cerulean warbler

Peruvian Chopped Salad: summer corn, radishes, lima beans, red onions, herb vinaigrette

Third Course, inspired by the roseate spoonbill

Tuna Carpaccio: thinly sliced tuna, shaved red onions, sliced avocado, cilantro lime drizzle

Fourth Course, inspired by the golden-crowned kinglet

Crispy Pan-Fried Red Snapper, saffron Santee Gold rice, salsa verde

Fifth Course, inspired by the belted kingfisher

Marinated & Stuffed Flank Steak: feta cheese & spinach, garlic smashed fingerling potatoes, chimichurri

Sixth Course, inspired by the Canada warbler

Lemon Cheesecake Mousse, local blueberries

Presenting Sponsor:

SCWF Friends:

Barbara & Clinch Heyward

Regina & John Jahrstofer

Elaine & Bill Miller

Natalie & Marty Kent

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact for local wildlife. Please consider a sponsorship when you make your purchase below. For company sponsorships, you’ll receive two tickets at the $500 level, or four dinner tickets at the $1,000 level, and we’ll include your logo on all marketing materials sent out to our 40,000+ supporters and followers, press releases, website, and the event menu. For $300 SCWF Friend sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets and will be recognized by name on the same formats. Thank you for considering a philanthropic gift to support our mission!

FKS dinner 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 in writing or by email to mail@scwf.org.

Spiders of September

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. We’ll have opportunities to distinguish the sexes of spiders, surely a skill you’ve long desired to acquire. Through our discussion and discovery you’ll gain a better understanding of the different types of webs spiders spin, including how and why they are spun. Their silk is symbolic of the many connections they make in nature, and we’ll have conversations about that too.

We’ll talk about identification of the most common species found around the home. Of course our time together will include a walk in the woods to search for and identify woodland species. Because many spiders tend to reach maturity in the fall, they make themselves a bit more available for study this time of year. Since we’ll be at Goodale State Park, we’ll reserve the right to get a bit distracted if we see something other than a spider that warrants discussion. However, we’ll try to keep it focused and certainly fun.

At the end of the day, you’ll be able to:

1.    Identify several species of spiders common in residential and woodland settings
2.    Describe basic aspects of spider natural history
3.    Appreciate the relationships between spiders and their environment
4.    Feel confident and equipped in moving forward into your own study of spiders

Where:  This training will take place at Goodale State Park, in the midlands and Sandhills Region of South Carolina.  Meet at Picnic Shelter #1, more detailed directions will be sent in advance of the class.  The website, which includes general directions, can be found by clicking here.

When:  September 9, 2025. We’ll meet at 9:00 AM, and conclude at 2:00 PM.

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. For SC Master Naturalists who have not taken a spider course, this event can count as Advanced Training and towards your statewide certification if you need a Sandhills component. Lunch will last thirty minutes, so depending on when we finish, this will count for approximately four and a half hours of training. If you are not a Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us.

 

 

 

This class will be taught by Austin Jenkins, who teaches and facilitates the popular Midlands Master Naturalist class for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.  Jenkins teaches Natural History of South Carolina at USC Sumter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 20 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:

  • Restrooms are available at the park.

  • 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: Writing spider by Cindy Owen.

Bannner Image Credit: Green lynx spider by Trey Wardlaw.

Coastal Kayaking Experience

Salty air, swaying marsh grass, and periwinkle snails…it’s time for a POWR+ Coastal Kayaking Experience!

Join Elizabeth Anderegg of Nature Adventures and BeBe Dalton Harrison, SCWF Director of Education on a Coastal Kayaking Experience in Shem Creek.  After a brief review of paddle strokes and safety, we will set out on an adventure through the creek exploring the salt marsh, learning about coastal wildlife, and enjoying a leisurely paddle.  Pack your lunch so we can eat on the water! POWR stands for Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat, and our POWR+ classes are one day classes that cover one outdoor skill or topic in-depth.

Date: Monday, June 9 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Cost: $100

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

This event is sold out – thank you! 

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 cerulean warbler, American redstart, golden-crowned kinglet, belted kingfisher, Canada warbler, and of course, the roseate spoonbill, whose conservation story inspired this dinner series. All of these species are depicted in Heather Deacon’s beautiful image above. Heather’s piece titled, Palmetto Feathers, is the winning image of the 2025 Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills art contest!  As each course is served during the dinner, 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

Specialty cocktail/mocktail, inspired by the golden-crowned kinglet

First Course, inspired by the American redstart

Berry Salad

Blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, roasted sunflower seeds,

feta, strawberry vinaigrette

 

Second Course, inspired by the roseate spoonbill

Seafood Arancini

Lump blue crab, freshwater crawfish, freshwater prawn, creole sauce 

 

Third Course, inspired by the belted kingfisher

Scallop Crudo

Passion fruit reduction, lemon

 

Fourth Course, inspired by the Canada warbler

 Venison Tenderloin

Tri-colored cauliflower – two ways, red wine demi-glace 

 

Fifth Course, inspired by the cerulean warbler

Blue Marble Cheesecake

Blueberry reduction

 

Presenting Sponsor:

 

Event Sponsors:

BlueCross BlueShield of SC

National Land Realty/Jim Taylor

Goings Law Firm

SCWF Friends:

Jon Boguski and Jess Holm

Drs. Jackie and Alaric van Dam 

Tom and Jennifer Mancke 

Susan and Trey Boone

McKenzie and Tim Scott

Audubon SC – Rebecca Haynes & Merrill McGregor

 

 

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us increase our impact for local wildlife. Please consider a sponsorship when you make your purchase below.

For company sponsorships, you’ll receive two tickets at the $500 level, or four dinner tickets at the $1,000 level, and we’ll include your logo on all marketing materials sent out to our 40,000+ supporters and followers, press releases, website, and the event menu.

For SCWF Friend sponsorships, you’ll receive two dinner tickets at the $300 level and will be recognized by name on the same formats.

Thank you for considering a philanthropic gift to support our mission!

FKS dinner 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 in writing or by email to mail@scwf.org.