America 250 with the USFS
SC Forestry Commission staff joined staff from the United States Forest Service, Francis Marion National Forest at the Revolutionary City Event in Charleston, SC for a special event in honor of the 250th anniversary of Independence Day over the week of July 4th.
During this historic event, participating staff dressed in period costume and demonstrated cross-cut saw methods to showcase what forestry looked like back in the 1700s, gave out lots of Smokey Bear swag and inspired the public to be patriotic by visiting their national and/or state forests!
SCFC staff Cara Specht, Shelby Bentley and Matt Schnabel provided information to eventgoers about recreation opportunities in state forests, new state forest lands, wildfire prevention and educational resources offered through our agency.
SC Division SAF meeting
Black River Unit Forester Ron Holt spoke at the SC Division SAF meeting in Florence June 12, informing attendees about the SCFC’s programs and services. Forest Management Chief Russell Hubright says Ron did a great job!
Plus, Forest Resource Analyst Scott Danskin presented budget information as Treasurer of SC Division SAF.
Fire-Rescue Conference
Some of the SCFC’s fire staff headed to Myrtle Beach mid-June for the annual Fire-Rescue Conference organized by the SC State Firefighters’ Association. Thanks to all who represented the agency!
Camp Conservation
Forestry Commission personnel took part in Camp Conservation in Newberry County June 18, teaching kids ages 6-12 about forestry concepts and the tools we use to manage forestland and fight wildfires in South Carolina.
Stations included lessons about the differences between prescribed burning and wildfires, equipment such as bulldozers and how they’re used to fight wildfires, and the multiple ways we use drones at the Forestry Commission.
Thank you to Piedmont Region Dispatch Manager Karly Cassada for the photos!
New forest markets tool
Tidewater Equipment posted this neat tool on its Facebook page:
“
New tool for the forestry industry.
Texas A&M Forest Service recently launched Wood Flow South, an interactive website that tracks timber imports, exports, trade volumes, and forest product trends across several southern states, including South Carolina and Florida.
Tools like this provide valuable insights into where forest products move, market trends, and the growing impact of the timber supply chain across the Southeast.”
Forest Resource Analyst Scott Danskin believes this tool is modeled from USFS data.
Special Olympics USA Games
From South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics:
“South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is in the house for Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics USA Games!
Jonathan Calore has been providing support to the Final Leg team and Chris Thompson has been running across Minnesota with the team over the last week!”
Supporting habitat restoration
The SCFC got a nice shoutout from the Spartanburg Area Conservancy:
“Next time you take a walk down the Powerline Trail on the Edwin M. Griffin Preserve, you’ll notice something new! As part of our ongoing habitat restoration work—generously supported by the The South Carolina Forestry Commission —the SPACE team spent the day getting fresh native plants in the ground before this weekend’s rain.
We planted 50 native species, sourced from our friends at Blue Oak Horticulture (highly recommend them if you’re looking to add natives to your own yard—their selection is incredible). Some of the flowers we planted today include: purple coneflower, spotted joe-pye weed, rattlesnake master, wild bergamot, greater tickseed (coreopsis), tall tickseed, white boneset, smooth oxeye daisy, purple giant hyssop, blazing star, and brown-eyed susan! It will be fun to watch these plants flourish in this section of the powerline, creating vibrant habitat for our local birds, critters, and pollinators!”
