South Carolina Wildlife Federation

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday for our annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser in support of our mission to conserve and restore South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitat through education and advocacy. What a great afternoon in the perfect setting! Standing shoulder to shoulder at the oyster table with fellow conservationists made for great conversations.

Because Bowens Island participates in SCDNR’s oyster shell recycling program, our oyster shells will be returned to the environment to build new reefs. Replanting oyster shell is an important way of ensuring that suitable habitat is available for future generations of oysters.

Check out the blog post below to see pictures from the event:
https://www.scwf.org/news/shucking-oysters-for-conservation-a-celebration-of-community-and-wildlife/

Thank you to our sponsors! Event Sponsor: Law Offices of Gedney M. Howe, III, PA. SCWF Friends Sponsors: Dr. George B. Del Porto & Mrs. Karen Del Porto, Trip King, and Nancy Swan. Chili Sponsor: Charleston RiverDogs. Dessert Sponsor: Nothing Bundt Cakes. Beer Sponsor: Holy City Brewing.

Happy Nature Fact Thursday! It’s officially South Carolina Bat week, so today’s nature fact is about the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). There are 15 total species of bats in SC, and the big brown bat is the most common. These highly adaptable bats are found statewide and live in a wide range of habitats – both natural and man-made – so they will nest in bat boxes as well as tree cavities. Big brown bats are about 4-5 inches long with a wingspan of approximately 11-13 inches and are the only mammal capable of true flight. Like all of our bats in SC, they eat a large quantity of insects which saves the agricultural industry nearly $115 million per year!!

You can learn more about all bats in our state by checking out our YouTube video “Amazing and Beneficial Bats” with SCDNR’s bat biologist, Jennifer Kindel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc8JDZVofOQ

SCWF recently held a Habitat Workshop in partnership with North Myrtle Beach Recreation where participants learned how to create a Certified Wildlife Habitat in their own yards to help support local wildlife. Participants also made their own nature crafts to take home, including seashell windchimes and bird feeders made from apples! Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful provided grabbers and litter bags for a beach litter pick-up. Join us for our next line of workshops starting in 2026!

To learn more about how you can create your own Certified Wildlife Habitat, please visit the link below.

https://www.scwf.org/habitats/

Are you interested in a National Park getaway for up to six guests? Check out our event page to learn more!

https://www.scwf.org/events/

SC Bat week is from October 24 - 31, 2025. Check out this post to find an activity of event near you!

***SCWF’s 23rd Annual Wildlife Photography Contest closes October 31st!***

Submit your best photographs that capture the natural beauty of South Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats – in your own backyard or anywhere in the state. This contest has three categories: Carolina Critters, SC Scenes of SC, and People in Nature. It is only $15 to enter; we can't wait to see your photos!

Learn more about this contest and enter by THIS Friday using the link below:
https://www.scwf.org/events/23rd-annual-wildlife-photography-contest/

***There is one week left to apply!***

Are you a full-time undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in an environmental field at a South Carolina college or university? Don’t miss your chance to apply for a South Carolina Wildlife Federation Scholarship — applications are due by October 31st!

This is a great opportunity to support your academic journey in environmental studies. Applications must be submitted online using the link below and should highlight your educational goals, career interests, employment, and volunteer experience.

https://www.scwf.org/events/scwf-scholarships-2025/

In honor of SC bat week, our nature fact today is about the 14 species of bats we have in South Carolina. Eastern Red Bats and the Big Brown Bats are the most common. Most of the bats in our state are yearlong residents, with only the Silver-haired Bats migrating. Bats are also helped by the campaign because of the shelter that leaf litter provides.

Bats are fascinating for many reasons, one of which is their incredible echolocation abilities that allow them to capture insects while they are flying. As the only flying mammal, bats eat impressive numbers of insects. Did you know that their suppression of insect populations saves the South Carolina agriculture industry an estimated $115 million each year? The Little Brown Bat can eat 150 mosquitos in just 10 minutes, and a colony of Southeastern bats (30,000) can eat 50 tons of insects per year!

To celebrate visit the SC Bat Working Groups link below for a list of state-wide events held this month.

https://southcarolinabatworkinggroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bat-week-events-2025_final.pdf

Embrace fall gardening and get your yard certified! Fall is a great time to plant native species and reduce your yard waste by leaving the leaves. To celebrate October as Leave the Leaves Month, we want to offer you 10% off the certification fee and sign purchase!

Learn more and get 10% off when you certify using the code FALL10: https://certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org

We had a great day on Friday at our inaugural Sporting Clays Competition Fundraiser! Everyone who participated in this event directly supported SCWF's ongoing conservation efforts, including habitat enhancement, land conservation, and educational programs that teach South Carolinians of all ages how to responsibly enjoy and protect the outdoors.

Thank you again to all our sponsors: National Land Realty - Jim Taylor, Robinson Gray, Whiting Turner, Palmetto Outdoors Shooting Facility, and Golf Cart Service.

Check out our blog post to see photos of this event:
https://www.scwf.org/news/sporting-clays-competition-fundraiser-a-shared-passion-for-conservation/

Thank YOU to everyone who planted the native milkweed seeds we sent out and then also shared your photos with us! These photos were all provided to us by SC residents who planted milkweed seeds this year.

If you have planted milkweed, this is a great time to check your plants for caterpillars because monarchs are currently moving through our state. You may find them in several different sizes, or stages, as they continue to munch on milkweed and grow. Then, they will move to a nearby shrub, tree, or building to form their chrysalis. They will be in the chrysalis/pupa stage for 8-15 days and will emerge as an adult butterfly! Peak migration for these new adults generally occurs in late October to early November in South Carolina.

Image Credits L to R: Marie McFadden, Joan Heid, Matt Thornton, and Joan Heid.

Earlier this month, Jay Keck, SCWF's Industry Habitat Manager, led a Palmetto Pro Birder Paddle on Lake Murray. The weather was perfect, and the group tallied 37 bird species, including favorites like the wood duck, red-headed woodpecker, black-throated green warbler, and a clapper rail. Check out our blog post below to learn more about this rejuvenating day out on the water.

https://www.scwf.org/news/birds-of-a-feather-paddle-together/