South Carolina Forestry Commission

🌲 Protecting, promoting and enhancing South Carolina’s forests for the benefit of all 📍Since 1927

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

Staff from Harbison State Forest partnered with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department for a joint training exercise focused on locating, stabilizing and extracting an injured trail user from remote areas of the forest this spring.

The training allowed firefighters and Harbison staff to practice coordinating an emergency response in the challenging terrain often found along the forest’s trail system.

Crews worked through scenarios involving steep creek banks, muddy conditions and limited vehicle access while using an off-road litter carrier designed specifically for backcountry rescue operations.

The off-road litter carrier, purchased through support from the Friends of Harbison State Forest, is an important addition to the forest’s emergency response capabilities. The specialized equipment allows responders to safely transport injured visitors through areas that are difficult to access with traditional rescue vehicles.

In addition to improving familiarity with the equipment, the exercise gave both agencies an opportunity to strengthen communication and coordination before a real emergency occurs.

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

Looking for a fun, educational summer activity? Join us at Harbison State Forest’s Environmental Education Center Wednesday, June 10 for Cub Scout Family Day, an opportunity to have fun exploring and learning in the forest with your family!

From 8:30am to 2pm, Scouts will take part in fun, hands-on, educational experiences, discovering some of the resources forests provide to humans and understanding that people have a very large part to play in sustaining the health of forests.

Our Program Managers will be available to guide you through multiple exciting programs!

Learn more and register: https://t.co/Hrewc4ZDAB

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

June is National Great Outdoors Month! The annual celebration of nature and outdoor recreation encourages Americans to spend time at forests, trails, parks and more.

Whether you enjoying biking, hiking, walking or otherwise exploring SC's landscapes, this month is a great time to appreciate our state's natural beauty!

Find a state forest near you: https://t.co/FGXGXlBuAD

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

Need some outfit inspo? Forget fast fashion... let us introduce you to forestry fashion 🌲 #FridayForestryFunny

*Disclaimer: Although these looks would rock the runway, they would NOT fit in on the fireline!

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

#ThrowbackThursday to this 1945 photo showing South Carolina's first wildfire fighting unit. South Carolina was the first southern state to offer statewide forest fire protection. At that time, the SC Forestry Commission had only three bulldozers, 19 farm tractors and hand tools.

Learn more about our history: https://t.co/oekRh7hx1f

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

COMING SOON: The Forestry Commission is excited to host two GSA badge workshops Friday, June 5 at Harbison State Forest in Columbia.⁠
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For Brownies & Juniors (9 a.m.-12 p.m.):⁠
Spend the day exploring the beauty and wonder of the outdoors while building skills, confidence, and a deeper connection to nature. Brownies will work toward earning their Eco Friend badge, discovering ways to protect the environment, meet forest plants and animals, and learn how to be everyday eco-heroes. Juniors will level up their outdoor know-how by learning essential hiking skills, identifying trees and spotting wildlife that brings the forest to life, all based on the Junior Eco Camper badge.⁠
*Learn more and register: https://t.co/g3J4Qj1RRX
⁠
For Cadettes (1-4 p.m.):⁠
Join us at beautiful Harbison State Forest for an afternoon of discovery as you dive into the fascinating world of trees and complete your Cadette Trees Badge. Guided by local experts, you’ll explore the forest like a true environmental scientist – learning how to identify different tree species, understand how forests function and uncover why trees are essential to our planet (and to us!). ⁠
*Learn more and register: https://t.co/V4YRIsZVkM
⁠
For more information, contact Environmental Education Program Manager Matt Schnabel at [email protected].

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

Join our team!

We are currently hiring for:
🌟 Wildland Firefighter - Jasper County
🌟 Stewardship Forester - Florence County
🌟 Sector Fire Management Officer - Kershaw County

Don't see what you're looking for right now? Check back regularly to see new openings: https://t.co/z2YgvNnzUg

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

Today we remember those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day!

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

Is your partner more similar to forestry equipment than you thought? 🤔

Learn more about equipment, forestry and what we do at https://t.co/ozTA9mx2tB #ForestryFunnyFriday

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

This #ThrowbackThursday features wooden tool handles being made at Hickory Handles, Inc. in Batesburg in the 1950s.

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

@zachpippin I'm taking notes... 🤤

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

It's been a while, but the first sign of developing pawpaw fruit calls for a #TreeIDTuesday!⁠
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Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) produces the largest edible fruit native to North America. Even as a smaller understory tree, the pawpaw can grow up to 30 feet tall and prefers rich, moist soils along streams and in bottoms.⁠
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Pawpaw is commonly used as an ornamental tree, and wildlife like opossums, foxes, squirrels, raccoons and birds feed on the fruit when it's ripe and yellowish brown.⁠
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Speaking of, the fruit ripens in late summer and peaks August to October. Although it starts out looking like a small, green potato, the pawpaw fruit is said to taste like a creamy combo of banana, mango, vanilla and citrus. It doesn't last long, though, and tends to spoil in three to five days... catch it while you can!⁠ However, handle with care, as some people may develop dermatitis from handling this fruit!

The pawpaw fruit is an excellent source of Vitamins A and C, and it's high in unsaturated fats, proteins and carbohydrates. They're richer than apples, peaches or grapes in potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and sulfur, plus they have a good balance of amino acids!

Flowers are purple-brown with six petals and appears with or before the smooth, dark green simple and pinnate leaves.⁠

There is a dwarf species, too.
⁠
Have you tried pawpaw fruit before? Is it worth the hype?

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

COMING SOON: Two invasive insects threaten South Carolina's Lowcountry: the Asian longhorn beetle and the yellow-legged hornet.

Join Clemson Invasive Species Program Coordinator Caroline Oatley to learn how to identify these species, report sightings and help stop their spread.

This live, in-person, one-hour presentation will be offered twice on June 16 for scheduling flexibility. Choose the session that works best for you.

SESSION 1
10:00 am - Clemson Extension TEACH Center
2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., C412
Charleston, SC 29407

SESSION 2
2:00 pm - Cypress Gardens
3030 Cypress Gardens Road
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
*Entry to Cypress Gardens requires a separate $10.00 admission ticket.

Learn more and reserve your spot: https://t.co/XkgNWYYysP

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

Join us at Harbison State Forest’s Environmental Education Center Wednesday, June 10 for Cub Scout Family Day, an opportunity to have fun exploring and learning in the forest with your family!

From 8:30am to 2pm, Scouts will take part in fun, hands-on, educational experiences, discovering some of the resources forests provide to humans and understanding that people have a very large part to play in sustaining the health of forests.

Our Program Managers will be available to guide you through multiple exciting programs!

Learn more and register: https://t.co/UX2p2QV4qQ

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

REGISTER NOW: The South Carolina Society of American Foresters (SAF) Summer Meeting (Pee Dee Chapter) is coming up soon!

Join us June 11-12 in Florence for two full days of connection and learning through a mill tour, reception and updates from the SCFC, Francis Marion University, Clemson University and more!

Register here: https://t.co/4aqBO2BJme

*CFEs have been applied for.

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

Industry update from @sylvamoco:

By 2027, our Eastover, South Carolina, mill will produce an additional 60,000 short tons of paper annually. That’s equivalent to roughly 160 million paperback novels or 24 million reams of paper! 🤯📚

This is the result of our $145 million investment in high‑return projects at our South Carolina facilities.

We've made significant progress since the announcement. The investments are on track for completion and will improve long‑term efficiency, lower costs and increase capacity, strengthening Eastover’s position as one of the most competitive paper mills in the world.

Learn more: https://t.co/XdrPFixewc

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN FOR HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RELIEF BLOCK GRANT

Hurricane Helene dealt a heavy blow to forest landowners across the western part of South Carolina in September 2024. Recognizing these losses, the South Carolina Forestry Commission and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture applied for and received funds from the US Department of Agriculture to help offset a portion of these losses.

SCDA began taking applications for the SC Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene today. The block grant is designed to help offset some of the financial losses suffered by farmers and forest landowners due to Hurricane Helene. Losses eligible for assistance include infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses and timber losses. The SC Forestry Commission is overseeing the timber loss aspect of this grant.

Here are the basics regarding timber loss:

Property must be located in an eligible county (see green counties on attached map).

Property must have been owned by a private landowner on September 27, 2024.

Property must contain at least 10 contiguous acres of forestland with at least 15% of the trees with significant damage (broken main stem, blown over or major crown damage).

No restoration work is required — these funds are designed to help offset financial losses. Participation in other federal programs does not impact eligibility for this grant.

Loss valuations will be carried out by consulting/registered foresters and by SCFC foresters.

Forest landowners who meet the following criteria can apply online by visiting the SCDA website at https://t.co/yusRjRQRBQ.
For more information about the block grant, eligibility, application process and more, please visit our website at https://t.co/IH0sP78med.

[South Carolina Forestry Commission @ForestryCommish]

APPLY NOW: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a second national deadline for agricultural producers and landowners to apply for fiscal year 2026 assistance in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The new deadline for entities to apply is May 29, 2026. NRCS is providing up to $200 million in funding for the application period for agricultural land easements.  

 ACEP helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore and enhance wetlands, protect the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land that negatively affect the agriculture and conservation values, and protect grazing and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible land.

Agricultural land easements provide cost-share assistance to eligible entities to acquire easements from qualifying landowners, preserving agricultural use, including grazing, and protecting associated conservation values on eligible land.

Learn more: https://t.co/YWIWcUtezo