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Lockhart Power to plant 100 trees for 100 years of service
PCF partners Lockhart Power Company and its parent company, Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, will plant 100 trees in its service area this fall to celebrate 100 years of service. The planting proposal includes 10 Noble Trees allocated for each of the following locations: Sims Middle School; Jonesville Elementary/Middle School; Pacolet Cloth Room and Marysville School; the Mack Cunningham Industrial Park; and a streetscape project in the Town on Lockhart. The Noble Trees to be planted are Overcup Oaks, a native, large shade tree that is a member of the white oak family. The other 50 trees, crepe myrtles, are proposed for the "Welcome to the City of Union" gateway on the western entrance to Union on Highway 176. Crape myrtles are another hardy plant selection that will add color during the summer and interest year-round. |
 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
July 2012
The Natural Connection to South Carolina
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The New Vista Greenway is Now Open to the Public
After several years of collaborative work between PCF, the City of Columbia, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and private donors, PCF held the grand opening of the first phase of the Vista Greenway on Friday, June 29th. This new walking and biking path will eventually connect Earlewood and Elmwood to the Vista via Finlay Park. The first completed phase runs through a converted railway tunnel starting at Lincoln and Lady Street in the Vista and emerging at Finlay Park on Taylor Street. The 600-foot tunnel is well lit and equipped with call boxes for safety.
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Pictured from left to right are Cliff Spann, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) member; City Councilman At-Large Cameron Runyan; Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin; Dana Higgins, City of Columbia engineer; Fred Monk, BPAC member; Natalie Cappuccio-Britt, Executive Director of PCF; and Miss Columbia 2012
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According to PCF Executive Director Natalie Britt, "This is going to be sort of the crown jewel of the Vista - a tunnel of this lenght, and this drama - it's a project you could see in American Hiker or Backpacking magazine."
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Sign up for a bike ride to the NEW Vista Greenway!
PCF has been working together with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), Congaree Vista Guild, and the City of Columbia to organize several neighborhood bike rides as part of the city's Chill Out in Columbia events on July 7th, 2012. The bike rides, starting from Earlewood, Elmwood/Arsenal Hill, Shandon/Five Points, Cayce and West Columbia, will all meet together at the Lady Street entrance of the newly opened Vista Greenway at 10:30am for an inaugural ride of the Lincoln Street Tunnel. Councilman Brian Newman will speak about the success of the new greenway before leading the ride promptly at 10:45am. Leading the Earlewood ride will be Greg Hilton and Fred Monk. Krystal McManus of Outspokin' Bicycles will lead the Shandon/Five Points ride from the store, and Tim Malson, owner of Summit Cycles, will lead a ride from the new Summit Cycles West Columbia location. Elmwood Neighborhood Association president Cliff Spann will lead a group from his neighborhood, and Patrick Blake, from the Cayce Mayor's office, will lead a ride from Parkland Plaza on Knox Abbott Road. For maps and more details on the rides and routes, including how to register for a ride, visit PCF's website. Participants of the Vista Greenway rides will each get a sticker snagging them discounts and freebies at participating restaurants and stores, including the Backpacker, River Runner Outdoor Center, Mast General Store, Historic Columbia, the State Museum, Granger Owing, Mezza, Motor Supply Company Bistro, Carolina Ale House, Cupcake, Pearlz, Tutti Frutti, and more. For a complete list of these deals, look here. Participants of this bike ride will be some of the first to see the Greenway's Lincoln Street tunnel, an old railroad passage converted into a biking walking path connecting Elmwood/Earlewood to Finlay Park. After the tunnel ride, cyclists can enjoy fireworks, snow cones and more at the City of Columbia's Chill Out in Columbia Fourth of July celebrations in Finlay Park. Check out a schedule of these events here. |
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City Engineer Dana Higgins wins Green Living Award
PCF recently named Dana Higgins, City of Columbia engineer, as the inaugural recipient of the Green Living Award.
This award is given to South Carolinians who PCF feels are actively making strides to create a greener South Carolina. Winners may be those working to build hiking/biking trails and greenways, striving to educate the public about outdoor advocacy, making an effort to emphasize the importance of local food, or helping their cities and towns take steps towards more sustainable futures.
Those who work hard behind the scenes are often not recognized for their work, or perhaps shy away from accolade. PCF is thrilled to present this award to Ms. Higgins because she deserves many thanks for her backstage contributions to the opening of the new Vista Greenway.
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Dana Higgins, PCF's first annual Living Green Award recipient, with her husband and two daughters.
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Using her engineering expertise, Dana helped facilitate making the greenway a reality. Dana's hard work attending after-hours meetings and taking phone calls off the clock illustrate her dedication to fighting to make this project happen.
"To be recognized by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation for working on a new greenway opening in the Vista is such a great honor. This project will be a catalyst to continued pedestrian and bicycle connectivity in and around Columbia. Working with Natalie Britt, Cliff Spann and the Vista Greenway Committee has been such an absolute joy. Without Natalie and Cliff's vision and the support of the mayor and city council, this dream could not have become a reality. I look forward to pushing forward to the next phase of this project," Dana said.
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Saturday, July 21st 
Lake Jocassee Paddle
Cool off in the summer heat with this paddle on the beautiful Lake Jocassee. You'll even visit a waterfall or two along the way for some added fun! This is a great trip for beginners or families.
Click here for more info.
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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 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.
Cooking Class at The Good Life Cafe
Friday, July 27th at 9am
 Good Life Café is one of the only organic, raw, vegan restaurants in Columbia, SC. If you are new to raw foods, they consist of unprocessed plant foods that have not been heated above 115 degrees.
Join PCF in a two hour, hands on cooking class in which you'll learn more about the benefits of raw and vegan cooking, as well as how to prepare these dishes for yourself at home. Transportation will not be provided for this trip, and as we can accommodate only twenty people, we ask that you sign up early to secure your spot.
To sign up, contact our office between July 2 and July 18 at (803) 771-0870 or email Kari Hanna at kari@palmettoconservation.org.
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.
In case you missed it, you can see pictures from our last trip with Master Naturalist Dan Whitten here.
Dates are of Senior Explorer trips 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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Summer Camp
We had a blast during our Session 1 Summer Adventure Camp. Activities include kayaking, mountain biking, crafts, games, and more. Session 2 starts July 30th - August 3rd, and there's still space to sign-up.
Recently WIS-TV featured our first session on the news, and you can watch that clip at our YouTube page here.
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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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