White-tailed deer in the grass by Lindsay Pettinicchi
Imagine being deep in the woods, fallen leaves on the trail, clear blue Carolina sky above, birds and squirrels are active all around you, and suddenly a majestic deer steps out into the light. Maybe you have a hiking stick in one hand, and binoculars or a camera in the other. Maybe you have a child’s hand in each of yours, and you crouch down to whisper and make sure they see it. Maybe you are in a tree stand, taking careful aim and envisioning venison chili for your family’s dinner.
In that moment, regardless of what motivates you to be out there, we each feel a deep and powerful connection to the earth, to the ancient rhythms of nature. Every step and breath of fresh air makes us healthier, and reduces our stress. We feel humbled to be a tiny part of it, and the urge to protect it grows stronger with each step. We all come together through SCWF to preserve that connection that unites us and enriches our lives.
Please consider a donation now to help us continue our mission to conserve and restore South Carolina’s wildlife and wildlife habitat through education and advocacy.
For 91 years, SCWF has offered many ways for you to connect with nature, learn new skills, and take action in your community. We hope you will join us in the coming year to increase our impact for wildlife together.
Our Impact
Planting Trees in Britton’s Neck.
5,000 packets of free native milkweed seeds distributed for Monarch Butterfly habitat to SC households—a 20% increase from last year!
Nearly 5,000 free Ranger Rick Magazines distributed to children and schools to inspire future conservationists.
2,160 learners reached through in-person engagement opportunities, and another 425 reached through our free webinars!
1,000 native trees planted in the rural community of Britton’s Neck to combat flooding.
240 Federal Duck Stamps sold in support of wetlands conservation this year, an increase of 47% from the previous year!
203 Palmetto Outdoors Women's Retreat participants had the opportunity to choose from 29 outdoor recreation classes.
150 partners working together for wildlife conservation.
Over 35,000 followers reached through our electronic newsletter, communications, and social media posts.
What Makes SCWF So Unique?
We CARE
C.A.R.E. is at the core of the SC Wildlife Federation. It stands for: Conservation, Advocacy, Restoration, and Education. Each of these words serves as a cornerstone, or pillar, that collectively, makes our organization so vital and critical moving forward.
Conservation
Vivian Addis caught a Bluegill during the Plishing Challenge!
To provide nesting habitat for species in decline, SCWF is working with Duke Energy to install 160 nesting boxes for three different species this spring. Project Prothonotary's focus is the installation of 80 boxes on the lakes and tributaries of the Catawba River and Lake Wateree for Prothonotary Warblers, and another 80 boxes will be installed in the Keowee-Toxaway watershed for Wood Ducks and Eastern Screech-Owls.
Plishing Challenge
To encourage new and experienced anglers to keep our waterways clean and litter-free, use best fishing practices, and connect with friends and family in our beautiful freshwater and saltwater habitats, SCWF introduced the "Plishing Challenge". This statewide conservation initiative to conserve and enjoy our state's aquatic resources had 100 participants, over 500 fish logged, and 169 bags of litter collected in its inaugural year.
Advocacy
SCWF works with state legislators to conserve land and protect precious wildlife habitat from the mountains to the sea. We also partner with the National Wildlife Federation on issues of national significance, such as the bi-partisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). This bill will protect at-risk wildlife before they reach “endangered” status by bringing more than $15 million annually to our state to protect and enhance habitat for wildlife species of concern, such as the Diamondback Terrapin, American Kestrel, Painted Bunting, Black Bear, Coral Snake, and the American Eel.
Restoration
Volunteers & partners work together to install a demonstration pollinator garden.
Habitat restoration projects are vital as cities expand, and wildlife lose habitat. This year, there were 409 newly Certified Wildlife Habitats, and 2 new communities certified in our state: Moss Creek and Greer. SCWF staff focused efforts in the Pee Dee region, planting 1,000 native trees in Britton's Neck to combat flooding, as well as installing a demonstration pollinator garden with the help of community members and project partners.
Education
Our classes are back in full swing! We reached 2,585 people through in-person and online learning opportunities. Our instructors travelled around the state to offer a variety of in-person classes and programs including, Academics Afield hunter education program at Clemson University, Artemis outdoor recreation events, naturalist trainings, Palmetto Pro Birder classes, and teacher workshops in the nationally certified Project WILD curricula. We were thrilled to host 203 women at the Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat (POWR) at Hickory Knob State Park in October.
L to R: Artemis women get together to hunt & fish; archery is one of the most popular classes at POWR.