Keep South Carolina Wild

Category: Gardening

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.

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.

Things that Flutter & Gorgeous Caterpillars at SCWF’s Sumter Wetland Preserve

Get ready for another exciting caterpillar-filled class with Dr. David Coyle and Jay Keck at SCWF’s Sumter Wetland Preserve property. 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. Within this inner Coastal Plain region we’ll search plants like Carolina laurel cherry, fetterbush, and swamp dog-laurel in search of caterpillars. Some species we might find include: the Io moth, powdered dagger, and the red-humped caterpillar moth, among many others. There will also be potential to find some reptile, amphibian, and of course, bird species this time of year within this flood plain habitat.
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Who: Dr. Coyle joined the Clemson faculty in 2018 with a focus on forest health and invasive species. Prior to Clemson, he created and directed the Southern Forest Health and Invasive Species program, which provided education and training to forestry professionals across the southeastern U.S. Dr. Coyle uses various forms of communication – including social media, traditional writing, and in-person visits – to help educate people about forest health, invasive species, and forest management. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters and the Entomological Society of America, serves on the Board of Directors for the North American Invasive Species Management Association, and is Co-Director of ProForest (an organization working to promote proactive forest pest management).
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This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. For SC Master Naturalists, this event can count as Advanced Training and towards your statewide certification. If you are not Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us.
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Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with directions and any other details pertinent to the class.
Dr. David Coyle

 

Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager

 

Other Important Notes:
  • The rain date for this event will be 09/18/26. We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If it looks like a deluge, we’ll notify you of cancellation and 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.
Cost:  $75 per person.
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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.

 

 

Things that Flutter & Gorgeous Caterpillars at Caesars Head State Park

This class is full. You can add yourself to the waiting list HERE.

 

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Get ready for a fantastic class on caterpillars, butterflies, and other insects on Thursday, August 13th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Caesars Head State Park in Cleveland, SC.

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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. In this region we’ll search plants like black locust, Joe-pye-weed, maple leaf viburnum and many others in search of caterpillars. Some species we might find include: the stinging rose, the monkey slug, and the saddleback caterpillars.

Jay Keck, our in-house bird guy, will also be helping with identifying caterpillars and any of the birds feasting on them during the class.

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Who: Dr. Coyle joined the Clemson faculty in 2018 with a focus on forest health and invasive species. Prior to Clemson, he created and directed the Southern Forest Health and Invasive Species program, which provided education and training to forestry professionals across the southeastern U.S. Dr. Coyle uses various forms of communication – including social media, traditional writing, and in-person visits – to help educate people about forest health, invasive species, and forest management. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters and the Entomological Society of America, serves on the Board of Directors for the North American Invasive Species Management Association, and is Co-Director of ProForest (an organization working to promote proactive forest pest management).

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This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. For SC Master Naturalists, this event can count as Advanced Training and towards your statewide certification. If you are not Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us.

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Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with directions and any other details pertinent to the class.
Dr. David Coyle

 

Jay Keck, SCWF’s Industry Habitat Manager

 

Other Important Notes:

Cost:  $75 per person.

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

Time: August 13th from 9am – 12pm. Rain date, August 14th. 

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

 

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

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

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

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.