Keep South Carolina Wild

Category: For Kids

2026 South Carolina Bird Art Contest

In partnership with Wildlife Forever, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation proudly presents the South Carolina Songbird Art Contest. 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.

2026 South Carolina Eligible Species:

Wild Turkey
Roseate Spoonbill
Chuck-wills-widow
Belted Kingfisher
American Robin

The Bird 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.

Grade Kindergarten

  • 1st Place:  Ranger Rick subscription
  • 2nd Place: Ranger Rick subscription
  • 3rd Place: Ranger Rick subscription

Grades 1–3

  • 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: Art mediums may include but are not limited to: crayon, marker, mixed media collage, pencil (e.g., charcoal, graphite), paint (e.g., acrylic, gouache, oil, watercolor), pastels (e.g., chalk, oil). Spray fixative is highly recommended for pastel or chalk pieces to prevent smudging.
  • Digital art is a newly accepted medium for international students and select U.S. states. We define digital art as original art that utilizes creative design technologies (e.g., Procreate, Adobe Fresco) as mediums as valid as acrylic or watercolor paints in analog art. To verify authenticity, digital artists must document their progress and be prepared to provide the following proof of original work if requested by the judges: 3 Progress Photos OR 1 Timelapse Video: A minimum of three (3) chronologically ordered screenshots or photos OR one (1) timelapse video depicting the artwork at various stages of original creation (e.g., rough sketch, line art, base colors, final rendering). The photo(s) or video(s) should depict the artist’s digital creation workspace, such as the creative software (e.g., Procreate, Adobe Fresco), digital tools (e.g., stylus, tablet), active project layers, history panels, and brush settings.
  • Entries utilizing AI will be disqualified.
  • 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, 2026

Please review the complete contest rules and entry details, here: Wildlife Forever Bird Art Contest Rules .

 

Wild Webinars: Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are one of the most unique and beautiful animals on the planet. Though we only have one species breeding here in SC, there are over 360 species in the Americas, a few of which have been spotted in SC outside of the breeding season.

If you’d like to learn more about these frenetic feathered jewels, please join Jay Keck, our Industry Habitat Manager and Costa Rica guide, to become more acquainted with these birds, while learning their habitat needs so they continue to inspire awe and wonder in those who see them.

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 tiny wonders of the Americas.

 

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.

 

Photo Credit: Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Forrest Roberts

Pollinator Exploration, Chapin

Come count pollinators with us at the Chapin Town Hall pollinator garden while participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census!

Join members from the Chapin Garden Club and Chapin Community Wildlife Habitat in the 70-ft long Carolina Fence garden to search for pollinators and learn how to identify what’s buzzing around. Open to all ages, families are welcome to enjoy a special story time in the garden featuring excerpts from The Great Pollinator Count Book by Susan Edwards Richmond. Each participant will also receive a prize and get to take home a free packet of native flower seeds.

 

Pollinator Exploration, Ballentine

Come count pollinators with us at the Ballentine Library pollinator garden while participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census!

Join Master Naturalist Tami Kyre, SC Wildlife Federation Habitat Education Manager Savannah Jordan, and Richland Library staff member Melissa Sprenne in Ballentine’s pollinator garden to search for pollinators and learn how to identify what’s buzzing around. Open to all ages, families are welcome to enjoy a special story time in the garden featuring excerpts from The Great Pollinator Count Book by Susan Edwards Richmond. Each participant will also receive a prize and get to take home a free packet of native flower seeds from the library’s seed library.

Great Southeast Pollinator Census

Help pollinators by participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a citizen science project created by the University of Georgia to document pollinator populations and inspire the creation of sustainable habitats. It invites residents across multiple southeastern states to spend 15 minutes observing and counting insects that land on their favorite pollinator plants, contributing vital data to support regional conservation efforts on Friday August 21st through Saturday, August 22nd.

 

You don’t need to be an expert in insect identification – anyone can participate by simply counting the insects that land on a single blooming plant for 15 minutes. Help us capture a snapshot of pollinator activity in communities across South Carolina, including the types of pollinators and which flowers they visit, and help build a southeast-wide dataset with other states! Every pollinator counts! We hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming counting events. If you would like to host a count of your own or add your counting event to our list, email our Habitat Education Manager Savannah Jordan at savannah@scwf.org to learn how.

 

Cover photo by Saul James

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Families Exploring Nature Day

What is that bird? What kind of tree is this? Can we go fishing? Parents, do you get these questions all summer once school is out? We’ve got you covered! Register today for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation’s second annual Families Exploring Nature Day in Lexington, South Carolina!

Join our staff on a leisurely nature walk, learn the basics of fishing and try your luck in the pond, and make a take home item for your backyard habitat. This event will run from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM and registration is only $10 per person!  Come explore with us!

 

Banner Image Credit: Little Birder by Amanda Johnson

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.

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.