We share our state with wild creatures who inspire wonder. Maybe you have paddled through the Sparkleberry Swamp and seen the vivid yellow of a Prothonotary warbler, or hiked in the forest when a white-tailed deer has scampered ahead of you, or quietly waited in your tree stand when a Barred owl has flown by. Experiences like this make us feel a deep and powerful connection to the Earth, to the ancient rhythms of nature. We feel humbled to be a tiny part of it, and the urge to protect it grows stronger with each new encounter.
Image Credits L to R: "Prothonotary warbler" by Lynn Long; "Barred owl” by Rebecca Lynn; "Deer Taking a Plunge" by Charles Rucinski.
I am incredibly thankful for each of you who also cherish moments like this and who marvel at our natural world. As our state continues to grow and wildlife experience shrinking habitats, we must all remain vigilant to advocate for wildlife together through SCWF and preserve this 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.
All donations stay in South Carolina, are tax-deductible and fully support our mission.
For 92 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.
Sara Green
Executive Director
Our Impact
Volunteers from Capgemini in Columbia removed over 2,500 pieces of litter during our litter sweep this fall.
10,000 pieces of litter collected through litter sweeps and conservation initiatives to create a cleaner home for wildlife and South Carolina residents and visitors.
5,000 packets of free native milkweed seeds distributed for Monarch butterfly habitat conservation to SC households!
4,300+ learners reached through educational classes, trainings, and events.
2,000 free Ranger Rick Magazines distributed to children and schools to inspire future conservationists.
593 newly certified backyard and schoolyard habitats + 3 new certified communities in our state: Bull Point, Dataw Island, & Gift Plantation.
277 Federal Duck Stamps sold in support of wetlands conservation this year, a 15% increase from last year.
90 POWR Up participants took 10 advanced outdoor skills classes for women.
Over 40,000 followers reached through our eNewsletter, communications, and social media posts.
What makes SCWF unique? We CARE.
SCWF is proud of our mission to conserve and restore wildlife and their habitat through education and advocacy. We fulfill our mission through CARE-based activities; we Conserve, Advocate, Restore, and Educate. Please consider making a donation to help us make an even greater impact in 2024!
Conservation
Plishing Challenge
In the second year of the Plishing Challenge, our conservation initiative designed for anglers to help keep our waterways clean and use best fishing practices, registration increased by 75%. Anglers participated across 14 states, logging 427 fish and collecting 96 bags of litter.
Project Prothonotary
In 2023, SCWF staff and our partners installed 80 nesting boxes as part of Project Prothonotary, which focuses on the installation of nesting boxes on the tributaries of the Catawba River and Lake Wateree for Prothonotary warblers. SCWF is excited to be able to continue Project Prothonotary in 2024 thanks to the support of Duke Energy.
Image Captions: (L) The overall Plishing Challenge points leader Colton Bateman, who caught 200 fish! (R) Almost 50% of the nesting boxes were used in the first year by prothonotaries and other bird species. Prothonotary warbler by Tim Gray.
Advocacy
SCWF works with state legislators to conserve land and protect precious wildlife habitat from the mountains to the sea. We are currently focusing on state legislation which will conserve wetlands, protect farmland properties, support new public trail systems, and safeguard endangered species. We also partner with the National Wildlife Federation on issues of national significance.
Image Credit: Inlet Point Marsh at Pawleys Island by Carl Beard.
Restoration
SCWF helps wildlife thrive through our habitat restoration programs, which are increasingly vital as cities and human populations expand. SCWF staff installed two demonstration native plant pollinator gardens in 2023 through partnerships with the Richland Library Ballentine funded by the Richland County Conservation Commission and with the Rosewood Community Orchard sponsored by Wells Fargo.
Image Captions L to R: SCWF staff, Richland Library Ballentine staff, and community volunteers planted a native wildflower pollinator garden. SCWF volunteers & staff planted a demonstration native plant pollinator garden at the Rosewood Community Orchard.
Education
SCWF is proud to offer many types of education opportunities across the state. In 2023, we expanded our popular Palmetto Women’s Outdoors Retreat (POWR) to include POWR Up and POWR+ classes, which are designed to build on the skills offered at POWR. These new offerings complement our robust naturalist and Palmetto Pro Birder programs. We also continue to offer Project Wild educator trainings around the state as well as hunting and angling programs for college students.
Image Captions L to R: Students dissected owl pellets as part of SCWF’s Wildlife Connections curriculum, sponsored by Dominion Energy. POWR Up participant with a great catch in her bass fishing class.