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Shop at Bi-Lo, support PCF
If you shop at Bi-Lo, you could help support PCF. All you have to do is print out a Boosterplus card from our website, and scan it along with your personal Bi-Lo savings card the next time you go shopping. This one time scan will link your personal card to PCF. Everytime you shop, 1% of your total will be donated to PCF. This program lasts until May 31, 2012. Start shopping!
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 View our online Picasa Web Albums. If you have pictures of the trail that you would like to share, you can email them to us or post them on our Facebook page. 
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Palmetto Trail Wish List
Maintaining the Palmetto Trail is a huge task and our trail coordinators do a  great job! Having the proper tools makes their job a whole lot easier. If you would like to donate anything on our wishlist, please contact our office at (803)771-0870.
We appreciate your help!
- Husqvarna Pole Saws
- Chain Saw Winch
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Palmetto E-Explorer
May 2012
The Natural Connection to South Carolina
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Saluda Mountains Passage Now Open
 The newest section of the Palmetto Trail is now open to the public. The 9.1 mile section, known as the Saluda Mountains Passage, opened on April 28th. PCF hosted a private preview of the trail on April 27th for our sponsors and supporters. A big thanks to all of the sponsors who attended the opening. You can check out our website for more information on this passage and download the new map. Click here to view more pictures in our Picasa Album. |
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Art on the Trail
 | | Photo by Andy Goldsworthy |
That's right. Palmetto Conservation and local arts organization Pocket Productions are launching an exciting new art series in 2012. Art on the Trail is a seasonal series of environmental art installations and events we are planning along the Palmetto Trail across the state. Visit the Art on the Trail website.
Playing After Dark: Art on the Trail
May 11, 6 - 9 pm
Riverfront Park, Columbia, SC
Free to the public
A preview event open to the public will include meetings with the artists, examples of their work, a short and inspiring showing of the film Rivers and Tides about the work of pioneering environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy. Interpretive dancers and local musicians will also perform. Light refreshments will be served. This event will take place at Riverfront Park along the Capital City Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This event is funded in part by a grant from the City of Columbia Hospitality Tax Program.
Check out the event on Facebook. 
Opening Event
Saturday, May 26, 5 - 8 pm (Peak-to-Prosperity Passage)
Join us for the opening event for Art on the Trail, to be held on the Peak-to-Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail by the beautiful trestle bridge crossing the Broad River at the Alston Trailhead. The event will include guided tours led by the artists, showcasing art installations along the trail, along with a buffet-style supper, cocktails and live music.
We are hosting this series with initial sponsorship from the City of Columbia's Hospitality Tax grants program and support from SCE&G. Both events are intended to reach the people in the arts and environmental communities and encourage new ways of seeing and celebrating the natural world and outdoor creativity.
Price: Includes dinner, guided tours, and live music
Members: $15 per person/ $25 per couple
Non-members: $25 per person/ $45 per couple
Tour Bus: Leaves Columbia at 5pm, returns at 8pm, $10
Check the website for more details.
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Adventure Awaits
Upcoming events and outings
Trail Workday
Awendaw Passage
Friday, May 4
10am
Come and get your hands
dirty on the trail. We need volunteers to help with pruning and trimming on the Awendaw passage. Meet at 10am at the trailhead on Rosa Green Road (near the canoe launch) Tools will be provided. Please bring your own work gloves, lunch and water bottle. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Dane Hanna (803)771-0870.Click here for more info. Lynches Woods Hike  Sunday, May 6 10am Join Chris Burnette (aka XtremeKatfishn) on a hike through Lynch's Woods. This 3 mile loop hike will start at 10am at the main entrance picnic area. You won't want to miss this beautiful hike through old growth trees and gently flowing streams. After the hike, you'll be able to enjoy your lunch at the picnic area. Don't forget to bring water, lunch, bug spray, and sunscreen. Click here for more details. Camping/Kayaking Trip on Lake Moultrie Saturday, May 19 - Sunday, May 20 Join us at Sandy  Beach on Lake Moultrie for a one night camping and kayaking trip. We'll meet at the dike and hike to the campground right on the lake. Kayaks will be available to take out and explore the lake and nearby islands. Dinner and S'mores on Saturday night are included. PCF tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and backpacks are available on a first-come first-served basis. Click here for more details.
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Save the Date: National Trails Day is June 2nd, 2012
 Palmetto Conservation Foundation is excited to announce the official opening celebration of the Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail on June 2nd, 2012.
After years of working through the railbanking process, Palmetto Conservation purchased an 11.5-mile, 200 ft. wide right-of-way from Norfolk Southern Railroad. The rail trail begins on the banks of the Broad River at Alston in Fairfield County and continues west into Newberry County, through piedmont forest, into the towns of Peak and Pomaria, and over 14 wooden trestles that cross Crims Creek. Join us for a fun filled day featuring guided hikes, bike rides, kayaking, a BBQ lunch and ice cream. The event is free and open to PCF members only. Details to follow.
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Old Pomaria School Reunion
May 19, 2012
The town of Pomaria invites you to the 1st Annual Old Pomaria School Reunion. Come out early for guided hikes along the beautiful Palmetto Trail. Guides will be available from 8am to 2pm. Then enjoy an evening of fun and entertainment from 3pm to 11pm.
- Live Entertainment
 - Car and Tractor Show
- Kids Games and Inflatables
- Arts and Crafts
- Food and Beer Wagon
Click here for more information.
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Senior Explorers
PCF has kicked off another 
year of exciting trips with the Senior Explorers. Thanks to Palmetto Health and Agape Senior, this year is going to better than ever! We've got a variety of trips and events planned and we hope you'll join us. Senior Explorers is open to older adults and is free to participate. Space is limited.
Thursday, May 17th
Prosperity Train Depot History Tour
10am
Guided by Mike Bedenbaugh, Excecutive Director of Palmetto Trust, this tour of historic Prosperity will include key moments from the time this area was the back country, settled by scotch Irish pioneers in the 18th century to the coming of the Rail road era, and ending with an overview of the prosperous 20th century. After the tour, the group will have lunch at Diane's Stable Steak House in Prosperity.
Click here for more details.
Monday June 18th
Waterfall Hike with Master Naturalist- Dan Whitten- We'll visit Reedy Branch Falls, Station Cove Falls, and Issaqueena Falls
July
Cooking Class at The Good Life Cafe
Thursday August 30th
Bee City- Learn all about honey bees, visit the petting zoo and nature center, bottle your own honey to take home, and make your own beeswax candle.
Thursday September 6th
Penn Center- Visit the museum and walk the nature trails.
Thursday October 18th
The Center for Birds of Prey- learn all about hawks, owls, falcons, and more. Afterwards we'll stop for lunch at the Sewee Restaurant.
Dates are subject to change. Check our website for up to date information. Visit our website, or call us at (803)771-0870.
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Palmetto Trail Endowment
Join us in creating the Palmetto Trail Endowment, a long-term fund to ensure the ongoing protection, maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of this one-of-a-kind South Carolina treasure. Planned giving can be as simple as including a bequest to the Palmetto Conservation Foundation in your will, but planned giving can also include other types of bequests. With the goals of providing for your loved ones, reducing taxes and honoring your role in building the legacy of the Palmetto Trail, there are many options available that can benefit you, your family, and support PCF in carrying out its vital mission, both now and in the future. Here are some of the available opportunities to consider:
- Bequest
 - Charitable Gift Annuity
- Life Insurance Policy
- Retirement Plans
- Real Estate
- Charitable Remainder Trust
- Charitable Lead Trust
These are just a few of the most common planned giving vehicles, and others are available. Please contact David Harper, PCF's Development Director at 803.771.0870 or dharper@palmettoconservation.org or your estate planning professional or financial advisor for further information. We can discuss how these tools might be an appropriate way to demonstrate your concern for future generations and their enjoyment of the great outdoors in South Carolina.
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PCF Seeking Office Volunteer
 Our office is seeking a detail-oriented volunteer to help us out with some work around the office. We'd love to find someone who is available just a few hours a week for some data entry and miscellaneous office tasks.
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Become a PCF Member Today!
A PCF Membership comes with great benefits, including discounts at local outfitters and special rates on PCF events. Your membership dollars will go towards building and maintaining the Palmetto Trail.
Click here to become a member!
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