South Carolina Wildlife Federation

Founded in 1931, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) was established by outdoor enthusiasts concerned with protecting and preserving the natural heritage of their state. In partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, the nonprofit organization strives to facilitate cooperative efforts of sportsmen and conservationists to advocate sound environmental stewardship and enhance wildlife habitats. Governed by an elected board of officials, SCWF is funded by its own membership and applies all resources to support South Carolina.

Educational programs and alliances with other conservation groups have enabled SCWF to broaden public awareness and establish policies that protect South Carolina’s natural assets. It retains a role in assessing agency permits and public policies, investigating resource problems, instigating open forums, offering suggestions for resource supervision, promoting land protection for public access, and assisting groups and individuals with an interest in the outdoors to insure that the activities they enjoy remain available.

Working alongside private and corporate landowners, schools, and communities, SCWF has helped to create and preserve natural wildlife habitats throughout the state. Through the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification program, South Carolina claims more certified wildlife habitats than any other state by encouraging private homeowners to create backyard environments in compliance with “natural habitat” specifications. Another SCWF-sponsored program, Schoolyard Habitats and Habitat Stewards, promotes habitat-based learning sites on school grounds. Tokens of the state’s cultural and natural history were added to the scenery through a system of landscaping techniques, and large corporations were encouraged to consider the needs of wildlife habitats in land-management decisions through Wildlife and Industry Together (WAIT), a project unique to South Carolina.

South Carolina Wildlife Federation.