We are thrilled to announce the addition of two new instructors to the program!  Tim Lee has studied and taught as a naturalist and biologist throughout the southeast for more than 26 years and is an instructor for the Upstate Master Naturalist program.  Steve Patterson is a former president of the Carolina Bird Club and an instructor for the Midlands Master Naturalist program.  See full bios on our two new instructors below.  Welcome Tim & Steve!

Two Upcoming Events: 

Two-day Pro Birder Training Module:  Friday, April 28 & Saturday, April 29, 2017 – $150.
Sassafras Mountain/Southern Appalachian Foothills, Pickens County
Instructor: Tim Lee (see bio below)

Join us as we bird South Carolina’s Blue Ridge! This time of year, we could see a variety of migratory birds as well as resident birds and maybe a few winter residents, such as kinglets and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, that have not departed. We will spend part of our time birding at Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina’s highest point, were we may see Common Raven and Dark-eyed Juncos. We will also hit other area hotspots in the southern Appalachian Foothills. 
Times: Friday 9am-3pm, Saturday, 7am-12noon

One-day Pro Birder Field Day:  Saturday, May 6, 2017 – $60.
Silver Bluff Sanctuary, Aiken County
nstructor: Steve Patterson (see bio below)

his trip will investigate the Audubon Center & Sanctuary at Silver Bluff.  We will begin at the Visitor’s Center and the nearby trails. This area includes varied habitat and longleaf pine/wiregrass stand that could contain Bachman’s Sparrows while we’re there.  After lunch, we will explore the ponds managed for the endangered Wood Storks.

Times: 8am-2pm

To ensure a quality experience for all, space is strictly limited.  Classes fill quickly, register today! After registration, you will receive an email with lodging recommendations, directions, and any other details pertinent to the class.

Register Online Today!

Tim Lee
A native South Carolinian, Tim has studied and taught as a naturalist and biologist throughout the southeast for more than 26 years. For the past 16 years he has been the Interpretive Ranger/Naturalist for South Carolina State Park Service’s Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area where he conducts research and provides educational programs for children and adults. He also teaches the Upstate South Carolina Master Naturalist Program and is an Educational Leadership Partner for the South Carolina Aquarium. Tim contributes data to the National Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey and to regional and local bird counts.

Steve Patterson
Steve began birding in 1981 shortly before entering Erskine College as a freshman. He learned all he could about how to identify what he found and started keeping a list. Since then he has birded in 1,050 counties in the United States, including every county in North Carolina, Florida, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, and of course South Carolina. Steve is the past compiler of the Long Cane and Rocky River Christmas Bird Counts, having founded Rocky River in 1991. He is a member of the American Birding Association, the Greenville County Bird Club, Aroostook Birders (Maine), and a lifetime member and former president the Carolina Bird Club.