Interested in Growing Your Own Fruit? Here are Some Tips!
Ever want to grow your own fruit? Well the best choice just might be grapes and berries! More details
Falcon Fledglings Set Up Shop at Chimney Rock Park
Chimney Rock is excited to announce that a pair of Peregrine Falcons has successfully nested in the Park. Two juvenile falcons, one male and one female, have been spotted near the nesting site high on the Park's cliffs. More details
What Will You Do to Help the Environment?
As a result of the recession, conspicuous consumption is out and frugality and conservation are in. Remember that waste reduction, reuse and recycling, like water and energy conservation, are great habits whether times are bad or good. More details
Check Out these Great Tips for Improving Home Energy Efficiency
Having an energy efficient home is one of the best things that you can do for the environment, because it significantly reduces the amount of pollution created by a home. Additionally, it also enables a homeowner to save money. More details
Easily Create a Home Recycling Center
Learning the local regulations for what and how to recycle is a good way to prepare for recycling. But where in your home are you going to find space for storing recyclable items? More details
Put Up Gourds and Houses to Attract Purple Martins
Now is the time to put up gourds and houses for purple martins, the only bird species in eastern North America totally dependent on humans for nest cavities. "Purple martins are accustomed to humans and seem to prefer nesting close to man." More details
Going Green? Get Your Pets in on the Action Too!
A fun and easy way to start going green begins with your family pets. Here's a few tips from fellow pet lovers. More details
Want to Enjoy Your Own Fresh Home Grown Blueberries?
There is no better plant to add to the edible landscape than a blueberry bush. Highbush blueberries are native to Western North Carolina and are the type recommended for growing here. More details
Opportunities Abound for South Carolina Farmers as Agriculture Evolves
Palmetto State farmers stand to benefit from what is expected to become a surge in the use and demand for alternative fuels, with a perennial South Carolina crop set to take center stage. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set a goal of 36 billion gallons of fuel used in the United States to come from renewable biofuels during the coming decades, with more than 21 billion gallons to come from cellulose-based feedstock. More details
Feed Summer Hummingbirds for Entertainment, Beauty
Hummingbirds, which artist John J. Audubon called "glittering fragments of the rainbow," are once again darting around flowers and feeders in South Carolina, say state natural resources officials.
"Hummingbirds are as fascinating to study as they are beautiful to watch." More details
Fishing a Great Value for Family and Friends
Getting a license to fish in South Carolina is still the best value for your dollar even as temperatures are slowly beginning to cool off and fishing is heating up. A quality angling experience awaits at any one of the many beautiful lakes, streams or rivers in the Palmetto State. More details
Take Steps to Help State’s Migratory Songbirds
The numbers of many neotropical migratory birds are declining precipitously, but a state wildlife biologist says people can help by taking some simple steps.
Neotropical migratory birds are those species that nest in North America and migrate to the tropics to spend the winter
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There's HOW Much Sugar in That Soft Drink???
Soft drinks are the first source of added sugar in the American diet. The United States ranks FIRST among other countries in soft drink consumption. More details
Bald Eagles in SC Continue Recovery
2007 survey results monitoring bald eagles in South Carolina continue to record eagle population success.
This year, survey participants recorded 564 bald eagles, which included 497 adult bald eagles, 67 immature bald eagles and two golden eagles.
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Feed Summer Hummingbirds for Entertainment, Beauty
Hummingbirds, which artist John J. Audubon called "glittering fragments of the rainbow," are once again darting around flowers and feeders in South Carolina, say state natural resources officials.
"Hummingbirds are as fascinating to study as they are beautiful to watch," said Laurel Barnhill, wildlife biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Columbia.
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Upstate Sites Among South Carolina’s Important Bird Areas
The National Audubon Society and Audubon South Carolina are working to identify a network of sites that provide critical habitat for birds, and two of the Upstate’s most panoramic and popular state parks rank among them, along with one national forest. Caesar’s Head/Jones Gap State Park and Table Rock State Park have been identified as two of the areas considered Important Bird Areas in the state. More details
Hard Water Problems? Here Are Some Tips on Removing Mineral Deposits
If you have hard water, there will be an increase in the amount of films and stains from soap, minerals, and other substances. Bathroom fixtures, sinks, dishes, and other surfaces need frequent cleaning to prevent build-up. More details
Jocassee, Turtle Island Named Audubon Important Bird Areas
Two tracts have recently been designated as Important Bird Areas by Audubon South Carolina. The Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges and Turtle Island Wildlife Management Area met several of the nominating criteria to be included on the list.
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Chimney Rock Park Sees Return of Peregrine Falcons
After coming a hair’s width away from extinction, the peregrine falcon is in the process of staging a remarkable comeback in the wild, untouched regions of certain areas in the US. Fortunately for environmentalists and bird watchers in North Carolina, Chimney Rock Park in Chimney Rock, NC, is one of those lucky places that is now playing host to this special bird.
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'Snags' Important to Wildlife for Food, Nesting, and Roosting
The numbers of many neotropical migratory birds are declining precipitously, but a state wildlife biologist says people can help by taking some simple steps.
Neotropical migratory birds are those species that nest in North America and migrate to the tropics to spend the winter.
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Is Your Brain Hungry? Have Some Food for Thought!
Did you know that your brain is a very hungry organ? In fact it consumes 20% of all the oxygen you breathe and 25% of all the calories you eat. More details
Drought Busting Tips Help You Conserve Water This Summer
Many areas in the Carolinas are still in a state of extremem drought, and with the summer season in front of us, quite a few folks are trying to conserve. Residents are curtailing their non-essential uses of water, such as watering lawns and washing houses, sidewalks, and automobiles. More details
Rare American Chestnut Trees Found in Southeast
A grove of very rare American chestnut trees has been discovered in Georgia. The find is exciting to the scientific community and tree lovers alike, as the American chestnut had virtutally disappeared in a blight in the earlier part of the 20th century.
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Is There Hope for the Hemlock?
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is in the mid to late stages of destroying the Eastern Hemlock throughout the Southern Appalachians. DuPont State Forest depends on both the Carolina and Eastern Hemlock to provide deep shade for its cold water trout habitat. More details
Brushy Ditch Banks, Weedy Field Borders are Beneficial to Wildlife Around Farms
Brushy ditch banks and weedy field borders may not be attractive to some people, but many of South Carolina's favored farm wildlife and game species depend on these areas for their very survival."Bobwhite quail and cottontail rabbits, as well as many songbirds, depend on areas dominated by grasses, weeds and small shrubs," said Billy Dukes, Small Game Project supervisor for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). More details
Sliding Rock is Mother Nature’s Chilly Answer to Water Parks
Water parks are everywhere, and with the summer heat, young kids (and their parents) start thinking about whether they would rather go to Charlotte’s Carowinds or Atlanta’s Six Flags or even one of the parks over in Pigeon Forge. The “true” water park aficionado might also want to make plans to visit Mother Nature’s very own – and original – water park, Sliding Rock. More details
Bluebird Boxes Can Bring Enjoyment to Bird Lovers
Nesting activities begin early for the beautiful and beneficial bluebird, a voracious insect eater that can bring a splash of color and a lyrical song to many homesteads.
If you haven't done it already, now is the time to clean, repair or put up new homes for bluebirds, one of our most beloved wildlife species, said Laurel Barnhill, wildlife biologist and statewide bird conservation coordinator with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
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What Exactly IS Convection Cooking?
More and more new ranges have the convection oven feature, but what exactly is convection cooking? For you to use this feature more effectively, you need to understand what it does. More details
Ivory-bill Habitat Protected Through Land Deal Between The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will acquire 1,440 acres of land from The Nature Conservancy to add to the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas – home to the recently rediscovered Ivory-bill Woodpecker and a host of other wildlife species.
The Service and the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved $1,944,000 from this year’s Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp program) to acquire 1,440 acres of the former Ray Coleman Howell Farm at Cache River NWR presently owned by The Nature Conservancy.
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Habitat Hightlight- YOUR Backyard!
South Carolina has more certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats than any other state! We are very proud of this honor, and want to stay at the top of this list.
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How to Grow And Make a Gourd Birdhouse
You can grow your own Birdhouse gourds, and it is so much fun! They make a beautiful addition to any sunny garden spot. The best part is reaping the harvest-- no two are alike! More details
Pack it in for the Environment: Why We Should Compost
With cold winter weather on its way , it’s hard to think about the summer season. But with our waste problems, as well as the increasing amount of urban pollution, we can do our part to help the environment this winter while providing our gardens with excellent soil for the spring.
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Jocassee Gorges Passage of Palmetto Trail Another Link on Statewide Trail
South Carolina’s Palmetto Trail – currently a work in progress – will span the state with over 425 miles of hiking trails once it is completed. Started in 1997, new passages open each season, with the spectacular Jocassee Gorges Passage in Upstate South Carolina setting itself apart from many other passages with its stunning scenery and dramatic terrain. More details
The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker; Natural History And Facts
The ivory-billed woodpecker ( Campephilus principalis) -- is among the world's largest woodpeckers. Only the imperial woodpecker of Mexico, now thought by many to be extinct, was larger than the ivory-bill.
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Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Backyard WildlifeHabitat Site
Tiny, iridescent hummingbirds are an exciting addition to your habitat. Hummingbirds visit SC from March through November and you can attract them by planting red, tubular flowers. More details
Caesars Head State Park is Close, But a World Away
Spartanburg is a terrific place to work, raise a family and enjoy what life has to offer, but that doesn't take away the need to get away from it all every once in a while, away from paved streets, traffic noise and all the signs of civilization. Caesars Head State Park, so close, yet so far, is the perfect day trip to what seems like another world.
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Red Wolf, An Endangered Spcies, Is Making a Slow Come Back
Originally, the red wolf roamed as far north as Pennsylvania and as far west as central Texas. Like its relative the grey wolf, the red wolf was wiped out from its former range by large scale predator control programs.
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Monarch Butterfly Migration Is Fueled With Milkweed; Plant Milkweed Seeds to Aid Migration
180 Million Monarchs are now on the move! Milkweed plants are the only food source for Monarch caterpillars. There is a severe shortage of Milkweed, and their young may perish in large numbers if a larger milkweed food supply is not made available. More details
Wild Turkey Flock Finds Asheville, NC, To Its Taste; Pays Recent Visit to Historic Manor Inn
Veritable traffic stoppers, and the topic of much conversation around the office, a rather large flock of wild turkeys has decided, like so many others, that Asheville is the place for them. A somewhat unlikely choice, given that wild turkeys tend to gravitate toward more rural and less populated areas in which to reside, Asheville has embraced its wayward flock. The feathered tribe of maybe twenty or so can be found at any number of locations in central and north Asheville, casually strolling across parking lots and lawns - or right down the center of streets - stopping traffic all the while, as amazed and amused drivers patiently wait for the crowd "turkus maximus" to meander on their way.
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Endangered Species Spotlight- Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise is one of the oldest living species, originating in North America over 60 million years ago. Today their range includes many parts of Florida, southern areas of Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, and the tip of Eastern Louisiana.
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Saving Natural Habitats Begins At Home; Learn About Sustainable Gardening Practices
Disappearing habitat is a problem worldwide. Most endangered species have that status because of habitat loss. Two thirds of the world’s forests are already gone.
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NC Arboretum Operates State-of-the-Art Greenhouse Complex Just a short Drive Up the Mountain
At the end of the short drive into the mountains of western North Carolina lies one of the finest examples of "gardening heaven" that can be found in our area. For both the regular visitor and the uninitiated, the splendor of the North Carolina Arboretum, located on the west side of Asheville just off of I-26, begins with the entry road into this massive and picturesque facility. Owned and operated by the University of North Carolina system on 426 acres in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, the road winds gently past woodlands, trails, high stone retaining walls, and some glorious landscaping.
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Legends and Geologic Facts Equally Intriguing at The Blowing Rock
Legend has it that after a Chickasaw maiden’s warrior love had leapt from the Blowing Rock, she prayed daily to the Great Spirit to return her warrior beloved to her and was granted her wish when the brave was blown back up by the winds surrounding the rock. Geologists with the US Geologic Survey estimate the metamorphic igneous rock to be about 1,055 million years old and have determined the wind comes from a flume formed by the rocky walls which sweeps the wind up, along with any objects in its current .
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Biltmore Industries Holds Distinguished Position in Appalachia's Arts and Crafts History
Biltmore Industries, for many years an exceptional outlet for traditional mountain arts and crafts and the one-time beneficiary of George and Edith Vanderbilt's generosity, is a long-running example of Appalachia's propensity toward fostering local mountain arts and crafts. The following article, posted with the permission of Asheville, North Carolina, author, historian, and antiques authority Bruce E. Johnson, provides an in-depth look at Biltmore Industries and the impact it had on Appalachia's artisans and crafts people throughout the 20th century.
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Grandfather Mountain, a Globally Recognized Nature Preserve
Most visitors to Western North Carolina probably recognize Grandfather Mountain’s famous swinging bridge, and more than likely enjoy visiting its restaurant and souvenir shop. Many thousands of travelers stop by Grandfather Mountain during the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, one of the largest gatherings of Scottish clans anywhere in the country. More details
Chimney Rock Park Offers Four Seasons of Outdoor Fun
For those looking for a invigorating, outdoors spot to spend the better part of a day away from their own particular brand of hustle and bustle, Chimney Rock Park might just be the place. With fall’s generally crisp and sunny days, the park is an ideal location for an afternoon outside with family or friends. More details
Abundance of Water, Natural Gas and Plant Sites Makes the Upstate a Top Choice For New Manufacturers.
They say you have to be good and lucky to be successful in business. The South Carolina Upstate certainly qualifies for the category of the "good and lucky." With a skilled work force steeped in the Southern tradition of a strong work ethic to complement its abundance of natural resources, the Upstate is considered by the world's manufacturers to be one of the top areas to locate a new manufacturing plant.
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