Our
Programs
Annual Yard Art Shows at Cypress Gardens
The Earth Team Volunteers participate annually in Yard Art Contests at Cypress Gardens. Winners are chosen by the visitors’ votes. The various art items which are made from recycled items, are available for purchase. All funds collected are donated to the gardens.
Earth Team Happenings
Have fun and make a difference in Berkeley County. To join our volunteer group contact Roxy Bishop at 843-719-4146 or email
berkeleysoilandwater.com
THE FERAL HOG TRAPPING PROGRAM IS BACK IN ACTION
The Berkeley Soil & Water Conservation District is pleased to let everyone know that the FERAL HOG TRAPPING PROGRAM IS BACK and is again available to Berkeley County farmers and landowners. This partnership program with the Berkeley County Farm Bureau and APHIS (USDA) provides for a professional trapper to set up and monitor the equipment to trap your hogs.
It seems that COVID interrupted everything, and the Berkeley Feral Hog Trapping Program was no exception. But the program is now more user friendly than before and set up for the landowner to call the APHIS trapper directly.
Mr. Jordan Wilson joined the USDA APHIS program earlier this year and is working with our Berkeley County landowners to trap their feral hogs. Please contact Mr. Jordan directly to have him evaluate your feral hog problem and arrange for trapping by calling (843) 244-1747 or email him at Jordan.wilson@usda.gov.
Berkeley Outdoor Life
Berkeley Soil & Water is working on a new platform called Berkeley Outdoor Life: www.BerkeleyOutdoorLife.com. After creating the Berkeley Blueways with its 25 kayaking trails, more than 235 miles of paddling, the District saw an opportunity to add the new programs of the Berkeley Walkways, Berkeley Bikeways and Berkeley Gameways. The Walkways will consist of 18-20 walking and hiking routes, the Bikeways will have 16 bicycling routes, and the Gameways will highlight the best places to fish, boat, camp and hunt in Berkeley County.
The new website features all the information for families to choose an exciting adventure. It includes original photography, all relevant trail information, downloadable guides for each activity and interactive maps. This project was launched in the 2nd quarter of 2021 and the development of the platform will extend into 2022.
We have added a new downloadable book of our Swamp Fox 50 mile paddle and camp trail!
berkeleybees
berkeleybees meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month 6:00 - 7:00 pm in the Nesbitt House Welcome Center, 1004 Hwy 52, Moncks Corner. Contact Nick Yoder (843-719-5003) for more information about the program, or email Nick.Yoder@berkeleycountysc.gov.
Scholarship Opportunities
BSWCD College Scholarships
Every year Berkeley Soil and Water Conservation District awards two $1,000 scholarships to young people pursuing college degrees in agriculture, forestry, or other natural resources related fields. Our District is very proud of our scholarship winners. This program began in 2015.
2023 Scholarship Winner - Cailey Richkowski
Cailey Richkowski is the 2023 recipient of the Berkeley Soil and Water Conservation District’s $1,000 scholarship. Ms. Richkowski, a 2023 graduate of Goose Creek High School, will be a freshman at Furman University this fall with plans of studying Environmental and Conservation Biology. She is the daughter of Goose Creek residents Morgan and Dawn Gallapis.
Ms. Richkowski finished in the top 10% of her class. Cailey held leadership position as class president and received Coach’s Award in varsity swimming. She gave back to her community by volunteering at the Berkeley Animal Center, trash cleanups and Goose Creek UMC soup kitchen.
Cailey writes,” After my recent acceptance to Furman University, my plans are to attend their institution in the fall and receive an internship at Greenville Zoo. After I graduate with a bachelor’s degree in environmental and Conservation Biology, I plan to further my education in animal studies. My ultimate goal is to receive my Doctorate in Zoology and open my own wildlife rehabilitation center. I hope to be able to give back to the community by fighting for funding for conservation programs and offering nature camps that teach kids how to appreciate and take care of our home.”
2022 Scholarship Winner – Rori Mae Condon
Rori Mae Condon is the 2022 recipient of the Berkeley Soil and Water Conservation District’s $1,000 scholarship. Ms. Condon, a 2022 graduate of Stratford High School, will be a freshman at Clemson University this fall with plans of studying Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. She is the daughter of Goose Creek residents Kevin and Jennifer Condon.
Ms. Condon finished 9th in her very competitive class of 484 graduates. Not only did she excel in academics, but earned honors in golf and softball, and served as a two-year captain of the golf team. Rori held leadership positions in extracurricular organizations such as Student Body President and President of the French National Honor Society. She gives back to her community by volunteering for the Goose Creek Recreation Therapeutic program, Summerville Miracle league, and Special Olympics. Her goals after completing her degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, is to return to Berkeley County as a Department of Natural Resources officer.
Commissioner Barry Jurs presented the 2022 scholarship for $1,000 to Rori Mae Condon at the Stratford High School Awards event.
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2021 Scholarship Winner – Addison Foster
ButtonAddison Foster, a 2021 graduate of Cane Bay High School will be attending Clemson this fall with plans of studying Environmental and Natural Resources - Conservation Biology. He has aided in wildlife restoration projects that have involved the improvement and restoration of wildlife habitats, such as salt marsh restoration through the planting of the native seagrass, spartine. He has also constructed habitat for at-risk bird species such as the wood duck, pileated woodpecker and Barn Owl. He is excited about his future work in the conservation field.
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SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY
for Elementary classrooms
for Elementary classrooms
Continuing Education
for Teachers
2023 Class was February 2nd through March 4th.
BSWCD will be advertising this opportunity the next time it is available
This Graduate Class combines science and social studies standards to provide teachers with a better understanding of the historical and current environmental issues affecting Berkeley County. The course subtitle: Avoiding the “Wump World” refers to the children’s book by Bill Peet which warns of a world where the environment has been destroyed through careless use. This class will demonstrate how each citizen has a role in preserving the past, protecting the present, and working to promise a future. Half of the class time will be spent in the field studying local historical and environmental sites and the other half will be spent in the classroom at the offices of the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust where we will study ways to be better stewards of our earth. Science, Social Studies and Literacy Elements will be emphasized as we explore documents and literature related to the content.
BSWCD will be advertising this opportunity next time it is available.
FireWise
Education
Community Outreach
Partnership Grants
Community outreach with Partners
Berkeley District co-hosts community outreach events featuring speakers from NRCS, Lowcountry Local First, Clemson Extension, Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust, Farm Service Agency and SC Forestry Commission, Berkeley County Farm Bureau, and the Center for Heirs Property Preservation to inform the community of assistance and programs available through these agencies. Due to current COVID 19 precautions, these are currently not being held, but we hope to resume these events in the near future.
Pictured left: St. Stephen NRCS Outreach. Pictured right: Goose Creek NRCS Outreach.
Swamp Fox Passage Work
Berkeley District is partnering with Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Berkeley County Government and the US Forest Service to improve the Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail. BSWCD received grants through Title II monies to be used for improvements in natural recreational areas in Berkeley County. Improvements to the section between 17-A and Hwy 52 will be completed soon! Come out and enjoy!
(843) 719-4146
info@berkeleysoilandwater.com