Palmetto Outdoor Academy Instructors

SCWF is honored to have these experts dedicated to leading our classes and sharing their knowledge and passion with us through SCWF's Palmetto Pro Birder & Naturalist Training programs.

AUSTIN JENKINS

Dr. Austin Jenkins is a native of Camden, SC and studied Biology Education at The Citadel.  He went on to study various and sundry plants and animals at Clemson University.  A Naturalist at USC Sumter, Jenkins teaches Natural History of SC and Environmental Biology.  

Austin teaches various naturalist trainings for SCWF, as well as facilitating the Midlands Master Naturalist Class.  

drew lanham

Dr. Drew Lanham is a lifelong birder, an ornithologist and a professor at Clemson University. His research interests include: songbird ecology and conservation; integration of game and nongame wildlife management; the African American land ethic and its role in natural resources conservation. Drew is a Certified Wildlife Biologist & Certified Senior Ecologist, and the co- host of the popular birding show on the “Your Day” radio program.

Drew teaches Palmetto Pro Birder classes for SCWF as well as leading trips out-of-state, and abroad.  

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. 

Tim teaches Palmetto Pro Birder classes for SCWF.