habitat

2023 Milkweed for Monarchs Project a resounding success!

2023 Milkweed for Monarchs Project a resounding success!

We are thrilled to announce the mailing of 5,000 packets of native milkweed seeds to SC residents, thus completing the 2023 Milkweed for Monarch Project! We were able to send these packets completely free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of Wells Fargo. This project was a huge success due to the statewide support of South Carolina residents and the dedicated volunteers who gave their time and expertise to hand-mix seeds and prepare each packet for mailing.

GREEN: Graham-backed bold, bipartisan wildlife bill is running out of time

GREEN: Graham-backed bold, bipartisan wildlife bill is running out of time

From brook trout to bobwhites, wildlife is part of what defines South Carolina. Unfortunately, more than 800 local species of concern have been identified by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. It’s part of a larger national trend where more than one-third of America’s wildlife are edging toward extinction.

Mother Nature’s Hole in One

Set among the lush maritime forest and salt marshes of Hilton Head Island, Moss Creek is a private residential community dedicated to protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat in their neighborhood. Led by Wayne Fredrick and Lou Natale, and with the help of Moss Creek’s Nature Club, this community achieved certification as a Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation back in May of this year.

Conservation Corner: With simple steps, you can create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat

A flash of color across the yard, the chorus of birdsong in the morning, the delight of children chasing a toad. Feelings of hope finding new flower buds, joy as baby birds leave the nest: There are many reasons to plant a garden for wildlife in your yard and throughout your community.

Wildlife Need You!

Wildlife Need You!

Scientists estimate that roughly one-third of America’s wildlife species are at an elevated risk of extinction. Here in South Carolina, there are 828 species of wildlife and plants in need of conservation action. These species are found in every habitat and among all major groups of wildlife—from Horseshoe Crabs to Wood Ducks to Bartram’s Redeye Bass. 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.

Milkweed for Monarchs Project Update

Milkweed for Monarchs Project Update

Thanks to generous donors and support from all over South Carolina, this past spring’s Milkweed Seed project was a huge success! In the past twenty years, there has been a sharp decline in Monarch butterflies along their normal migration route. In fact, their numbers have dwindled by almost 97 percent! Milkweed plants, however, may be the key to helping these beautiful butterflies continue to thrive in North America.

SCWF's Project Prothonotary Featured on BirdNote

SCWF's Project Prothonotary Featured on BirdNote

Last fall, SCWF's Habitat Education Manager, Jay Keck, was interviewed by Michael Falero, a contributor to the popular national nature podcast, BirdNote. They chose to talk about the prothonotary warbler, a declining species, and SCWF's efforts to help save it by installing and monitoring nesting boxes on public land at the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve in Lexington county, SC.

Homemade Suet Recipe

Homemade Suet Recipe

Ninety percent of a bird's diet consists of insects, even those birds that you see at your feeders. In the winter, the insect population (important source of protein) is low and the availability of berries (important source of fat) is limited. In the spring, birds need lots of energy to build nests and families. You can help by making homemade suet, which birds prefer to the bought kind. Lard can be purchased at many local grocery stores - call ahead to make sure that they have it. If you hang the suet near your other feeders, the birds will discover it quickly!

SC Aquarium Hosts Habitat Garden

SC Aquarium Hosts Habitat Garden

SCWF held a wildlife habitat workshop at the SC Aquarium on March 14th, and participants learned information about creating and enhancing wildlife habitat by planting native plants, providing a water source, and adding feeders, nest boxes, etc. and how their own yards can be certified by the National Wildlife Federation. In partnership with the South Carolina Aquarium, and with support from Volvo and Roots N Shoots Nursery, they also installed native plants in front of the Aquarium which provide food, cover and places to raise young for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. This garden serves a demonstration for visitors to learn how to attract wildlife to their own garden.

Homemade Suet Recipe

Homemade Suet Recipe

Ninety percent of a bird's diet consists of insects, even those birds that you see at your feeders. In the winter, the insect population (important source of protein) is low and the availability of berries (important source of fat) is limited. In the spring, birds need lots of energy to build nests and families. You can help by making homemade suet, which birds prefer to the bought kind. Lard can be purchased at many local grocery stores - call ahead to make sure that they have it. If you hang the suet near your other feeders, the birds will discover it quickly!

30 WAIT Sites Re-certified

30 WAIT Sites Re-certified

SCWF) has re-certified 30 Wildlife And Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) sites for 2017.  The W.A.I.T. program recognizes industries in South Carolina who are dedicated to protecting the environment and who keep wildlife needs in mind when making their land management decisions.  Requirements for certification include wildlife habitat enhancement projects, environmental education for employees, and community outreach.