The SCDNR Conservation Education is a section within SCDNR’s Office of Education Information and Outreach. The Conservation Education program creates educational opportunities through outdoor recreation and environmental learning. Whether in the classroom, on the trail, or in the field, Conservation Education staff seek to promote SCDNR public lands while increasing public understanding and appreciation for wildlife, fisheries, forests, and landscapes. Through guided naturalist hikes, K-12 educational programs, outreach efforts, outdoor skills and interpretation, Conservation Education’s goal is to create new environmental stewards and help you live life outdoors.

In-School Programs

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources can bring conservation education to your classroom! Each in-school program is designed to be approximately an hour long and incorporates a hands-on activity. Lessons can be completed in the classroom, but most of the activities will need an open outdoor space on the school’s campus. SCDNR staff availability will determine how many classes can be seen in one day. A minimum of ten students is required to put on a program at your school/facility. Programs can be scheduled for Tuesdays – Fridays. These free programs are correlated to the 2021 South Carolina College and Career-Ready Science Standards.

For questions or to schedule a program, please contact Beth Foley, Conservation Education Coordinator, at FoleyE@dnr.sc.gov or (803) 394-3920. In your request, please make sure to include your school’s name, grade level, total number of classes, total number of students, and suggested program dates.

For a list of available programs, please check out our Conservation Education In-School Programs

SCDNR Wildlife Habitat - Green Steps Schools Project

The South Carolina Green Step Schools (GSS) initiative encourages K-12 schools to take annual steps toward establishing and maintaining model quality sustainability projects. SCDNR Conservation Education team offers the Wildlife Habitat GSS Project as a project option under the “Restore: Habitat” category. Any school statewide can complete this project annually – whether it be creating a new habitat garden at your school, maintaining an existing one, or adding new elements to it such as nesting boxes. Please click on the project document link below to learn more about this school-based project.

K-12 Field Trips

Bring your students out to visit one of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ public lands. SCDNR owned and managed properties are protected areas that play a critical role in conserving fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural and cultural resources. These lands are open to the public for a variety of recreational uses, from hunting and fishing to hiking and wildlife viewing.

These free education programs are correlated to the 2021 South Carolina College and Career-Ready Science Standards. The field trips take place on two of Heritage Preserves and Wildlife Management Areas in the Midlands. Each program is designed to be approximately 4 hours long running from 9am – 1pm, with a built-in lunch break. Programs can be scheduled for Tuesdays – Fridays. A minimum of ten students is required to put on a program and a maximum of 50 students can be seen in one day. Participants are responsible for bringing their own lunches and refillable water bottles.

Please plan to bring a clipboard and pencil for each student. Students will be outside for the entirety of the program and should wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes. Schools must bring enough adults (teachers included) to achieve a 1:7 adult to student ratio.

For questions or to schedule a program, please contact Beth Foley, Conservation Education Coordinator, at FoleyE@dnr.sc.gov or (803) 394-3920. In your request, please make sure to include your school’s name, grade level, total number of classes, total number of students, and suggested program dates.

For a list of available programs, please check out our Conservation Education Field Trips

Natural Resource Fest

SCDNR’s Natural Resource Fest is a free, agency-wide career expo targeted towards middle school students. Students will be exposed to countless career pathways and will have one-on-one conversations with natural resource professionals. They will learn about the conservation efforts made by all five divisions of SCDNR. They will also watch and participate in hands-on demonstrations of each section’s work. This initiative was fostered by the desire to make the wide array of work SCDNR does more visible to the public and to inspire more youth to pursue a career in natural resources.

This is a one-day annual event that takes place at the State Farmers Market in West Columbia. Schools or families with kids aged 11-14 are welcome to register. If you would like to receive a save the date for the next event, as well as registration information when it opens, please subscribe for updates. Please reach out to Beth Foley with any questions about the event FoleyE@dnr.sc.gov or 803-394-3920.

Project WILD's mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. Project WILD offers instructional materials to formal and non-formal educators to help make learning fun, hands-on, and interdisciplinary. Sign up to attend a professional development workshop to receive one of the Project WILD activity guides.

For more information, please contact Beth Foley, Conservation Education Coordinator, at FoleyE@dnr.sc.gov or (803) 394-3920

SC Project WILD Facilitator Website – Resources and paperwork needed for leading workshops.

Professional Development Events

Check back for upcoming open-to-the-public workshops.

SCDNR naturalist hikes are open to anyone interested in exploring the great outdoors through SCDNR's Heritage Preserves and Wildlife Management Areas. Guided hikes are led by Conservation Education staff and cover topics that range from fisheries and wildlife to history and forestry. Hikes are offered from the mountains to the coast and last approximately 1-2 hours. No experience with hiking is necessary but an admiration of the great outdoors is encouraged.

Please see the below schedule for a list of available programs and locations. For more information regarding Hikes with a Naturalist or for general naturalist inquiries, please contact Will Mundhenke, State Naturalist, at MundhenkeW@dnr.sc.gov. Registration for guided hikes will open approximately one month prior to the hike.

Already a South Carolina Master Naturalist? Volunteer with SCDNR Conservation Education and lead or assist with educational programs around the state. Contact Will Mundhenke, State Naturalist, at MundhenkeW@dnr.sc.gov for more information.

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