The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) is excited to announce the selection of ten South Carolina teachers to participate in a new pilot project, “Wildlife Connections from the Mountains to the Sea”, developed by SCWF and sponsored by Dominion Energy. Participants were selected based on geographic location and community need.

The following teachers were selected to participate in this year’s project:

• Sarah Hobert, Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School
• Latonya Hall-Gibson, Conder Elementary School
• Ashley Williams, Bridge Creek Elementary School
• Tracy Mitchell, Killian Elementary School
• J’Nai Whitehead, Jackson Creek Elementary School
• Michelle Hawkins, Pontiac Elementary School
• Susan Lester, Gallman Elementary School
• Huger Caughman, Boundary Street Elementary School
• Morgan Rhoney, Saluda Elementary School
• Sabrina Martin, Whitmire Community School

Teachers applied to participate in the program and provided reasons why they wanted to bring more conservation education into their classrooms. Sarah Hobert, a 4th grade teacher at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School said, “I can tell them all day how important it is, but until they actually get to enjoy it, it can be hard for many (without natural experiences) students to want to do their part in conservation. I have no doubt that my class would benefit from an opportunity like this.”

This Wildlife Connections project will provide classroom kits with supplies and hands-on activities representing a variety of wildlife in different areas of our state including oysters, birds of prey, and fish. Teachers will carry out these activities with their students on their own schedule and can pair them with corresponding science standards. After the activities have been completed, an educator from the South Carolina Wildlife Federation will visit the school and help students tie together all the things they have learned from the kit activities. This step will help students understand that our state’s wildlife and habitats are all intricately connected. Students will also receive field guides for wildlife in SC, magnifying glasses, and a certificate of completion to take home.

For more information on the project, Wildlife Connections from the Mountains to the Sea, contact BeBe Dalton Harrison, Director of Education for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation