January 6, 2006

 

News Release For Immediate Release

Contact: Whitney Griffin 803-256-0670 Whitney@scwf.org

South Carolina Wildlife Federation to Honor Lexington Conservationists January 21 in Spartanburg

 

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) is holding its 41st Annual Conservation Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 21, 2006 in Spartanburg.

 

The Awards Banquet will take place at the Marriott at Renaissance Park near downtown Spartanburg.  Fourteen individuals and organizations that have played a major part in conserving South Carolina’s natural habitats for future generations will be recognized. 

 

Several of the honorees are from the Lexington area:

 

Steve Bell- Water Conservation Award:

Steve Bell, an active volunteer on conservation issues around Lake Murray, is the driving force and President of Lake Watch, a non-profit watchdog group that keeps an eye on activities that affect the water quality, wildlife habitat, scenic integrity, and recreational use of the lake.  Steve is in constant touch with state and federal agencies and other organizations involved in FERC issues involving Lake Murray and the Saluda Hydroelectric Project.  He works to coordinate efforts among a variety of these interests, review notices, keep interested parties informed of others’ actions, and encourage action to protect the water and land resources associated with the lake.  Steve is considered the “the voice of the lake” when news media needs information or comments on lake matters.  He continues to stress the need to re-balance the uses of the lake to protect the natural and recreational needs with the residential, commercial, and industrial needs.  Steve keeps pressure on the power company and public agencies to work toward solutions that will protect the natural resources of the lake and river below the dam.  Because of his dedication to Lake Murray and endless conservation efforts, he is this year’s Water Award winner.

 

Lake Murray Elementary (LMES)- Bootsie Manning Wildlife Habitat Conservation Award:

Lake Murray Elementary School’s 28-acre Wetlands Habitat area provides a viable example of responsible land stewardship and conservation of natural resources.  This 5-year effort represents a creative and proactive effort to utilize these resources as valuable tools to enhance the school and community and improve science education.  The project also represents an extensive grassroots partnership of businesses, parents, students, civic groups, agencies and school staff to develop, fund and maintain the project. The presence of the study area at LMES has contributed to higher achievement levels in science among LMES students, as evidenced in the fact that LMES students score significantly higher in science than the District and State averages on the State standardized PACT test.  By increasing the educational levels of County residents and attracting them to higher wage careers in fields such as science, efforts such as the LMES Wetlands Habitat can contribute to our on-going efforts to build a prosperous and sustainable community and strengthen our region’s economic competitiveness.  For this on-going effort to provide students with expanded opportunity in science instruction, we proudly award LMES this year’s Bootsie Manning Wildife Habitat Award.

 

The River Alliance- Outdoor Ethics Conservation Award:

The River Alliance, led by its executive director Mike Dawson and its multi-jurisdictional public-private board, has demonstrated outstanding success in several environmentally important projects while crossing political, organizational and private-sector boundaries.  Following its stated mission to maximize the benefits of our Midlands rivers while protecting their rich nature, the River Alliance has remained steadfast for over ten years since its founding pursuing its goals in all projects.  The Three Rivers Greenway has opened to the public the richness of floodplain land with its river views while protecting its plant life and its varied land forms.  An historic stone bridge abutment was discovered, preserved, and made intimate to the public while showing the understructure of the Gervais Street bridge from the carefully placed boardwalk at the river’s edge.  The heavily-used greenway system has remained faithful to the principle of conserving while providing gentle access for public appreciation of nature.  The Alliance also played a lead role, working with surrounding communities, in an effort to preserve and adaptively reuse the Olympia and Granby Mills and to link them with the Three Rivers Greenway.   The “gentle” approach was kept in executing these projects. Boardwalks, stream-crossing bridges, and overlooks were “stick-built.” Concrete was brought in by buggy or pumped, and no major vehicle or truck access was allowed into conservation areas.  Throughout these projects, significant areas of nature along the rivers have been brought into public ownership for permanent conservation.  This is why The River Alliance is this year’s Outdoor Ethics Award winner.

 

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation facilitates effective habitat conservation and respect for outdoor traditions for current and future generations through statewide leadership, education, advocacy and partnerships. More information can be obtained about the organization by visiting www.scwf.org or calling 803-256-0670.