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Did you know that PCF is on Pinterest?
Check out our inspiration boards, pictures of the trail and blueways, recipes, quotes, and more on our brand new Pinterest page! Follow us here. |
 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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Trail Wish List
Maintaining the Palmetto Trail is a huge task and our trail coordinators do a great job. Having the proper tools, however, makes their job much easier. If you would like to donate anything on our wishlist, please contact our office at (803) 771-0870. We appreciate your help!
Wish List:
-Chain Saw Winch
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Palmetto Explorer
September 2012
The Natural Connection to South Carolina
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Paddling for Progress is Coming to the Palmetto State!
Goal of first-ever Blueways Conference is to spark positive change for South Carolina's waterways
This fall, PCF will bring a series of workshops to Columbia, Spartanburg, and Beaufort as part of Paddling for Progress, a brand new conference series that will aim to promote the Palmetto State's waterways. An event like this, involving such a variety of different stakeholders in a rapidly growing field, is truly unprecedented in our state. With so many different speakers, workshops, and valuable training, this low cost experience has an incredibly high value, especially for those participants attending all three days' events.
 The conference series was created in recognition of South Carolina's ecotourism potential, and to call attention to a lack of accessibility to water trails. PCF is bringing together planners, trail builders, waterway and paddle groups, elected officials, outdoor enthusiasts and other stakeholders to discuss how to improve upon one of South Carolina's most important and beautiful resources--its waterways, also known as blueways. With PCF's involvement and development of a 50 mile paddle trail in the Upstate, our staff has seen a vital need for blueway education on a variety of levels.
The series will start with a kickoff event in Columbia on Wednesday, Sept. 12 called "The State of the State: How do we create a paddle friendly South Carolina?" This discussion of the current state of paddling will feature keynote speaker Sutton Bacon, President and CEO of the Nantahala Outdoor Center, author and Wofford professor John Lane, City Councilman Cameron Runyan, Mary Crockett of the Congaree Land Trust, and Staci Williams of American Rivers.
The next day of events will be held in Spartanburg on Wednesday, Sept. 26. For this workshop, participants will get a chance to learn about the details that go into making the idea of a beautiful paddle trail a reality. Following a quick welcome and light breakfast, participants will head out on a mobile workshop covering several sites in the area. This unique, hands-on experience is a great way not only to learn about creating blueways, but to understand the needs of the paddle community.
Finally, on October 10th, the conference will head to Port Royal and Beaufort, SC. The Beaufort workshop will provide evidence that well-planned, well-designed, safe, accessible water trails are not only worth the investment, but are a vital part of local tourism and economic development.
This workshop will provide and showcase best maintenance practices, a comprehensive discussion on development, and a conversation on promotion of water trail systems. Participants will have the opportunity to paddle one of Beaufort's beautiful paddle trails in this final day of events.
Special ticket pricing for this event is available to PCF members.The Paddling for Progress Blueways Conference is possible by a grant from SCPRT.
Details on speakers for each event, as well as pricing, directions, each day's agenda, and more can be found online here.
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Our next Handlebar Happy Hour is September 12th
Meet and mingle with other bicyclists while discussing ways to make Columbia more bicycle and pedestrian friendly
 The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and PCF have organized Handlebar Happy Hour, a series of family friendly gatherings meant to foster open, relaxed discussion about topics the bicycling and pedestrian community faces on a local and statewide level.
This ongoing program, held the second Wednesday of the month through November, provides a place for anyone to openly voice their thoughts on the topics concerning bicyclists and pedestrians in the Columbia community. Publick House Restaurant will host the second of these events on Wednesday, Sept. 12th from 6:00-8:00pm.
Publick House, located at 2307 Devine Street, will offer free raw fries, wings, and celery with blue cheese for any participants who arrive on bicycle or foot. Free drinks will also be available while supplies last.
Bicyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to travel individually or in groups, and for those interested in riding with others to the event, there are several group rides available to choose from:
Outspokin' Bicycles
Leader: Brian Curran
3223 Devine St.
Meet 6pm, Depart at 6:15
City Roots Farm
Leader: Cait Costello from the Palmetto Cycling Coalition
1005 Airport Blvd.
Meet at 5:45pm, Depart at 6
Cycle Center
Leader: Cycle Center Staff
1001 Harden St.
Meet: 5:45pm, Depart at 6
USC Green Quad Learning Center
Leader: Carter Cox
1216 Wheat., near the corner of Wheat and Sumter
Meet 5pm, Depart at 5:15
Summit Cycles
Leader: Tim Malson
716 Meeting St., West Columbia
Meet: 5:45pm, Depart at 6
*This will be a 6-8 mile ride
Starting at 6pm, participants will have a chance to arrive at their own pace and mingle before a discussion begins promptly at 7pm. Each happy hour will include a speaker from stakeholder groups, like the Department of Transportation or the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, to lead an open forum on topics such as accessibility, law, infrastructure, and community involvement.
For September, the Palmetto Cycling Coalition's new Executive Director, Amy Johnson, will be speaking.
The goal of Handlebar Happy Hour is to relax and have some fun, but these gatherings are also intended to strengthen the cycling community. As those cyclists living and working in Columbia become better acquainted, organizers of this event hope to tap into the collective energy and talents of the cycling community to help continue to make Columbia a more bicycle and pedestrian friendly city
According to organizer Mary Roe of the BPAC, "We want everyone to leave their spandex behind for this because it's not a race, just a nice cruise to an evening of discussion and socializing."
More information on Handlebar Happy Hour can be found on PCF's website.
For any questions about this event, please contact Meredith Walker at PCF's office at (803) 771-0870 or via email at mwalker@palmettoconservation.org.
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PCF Friends Day at the Mast General Store is Sept. 15!
The Mast General Store has chosen PCF to create a window display for the month of September, and to offer 10% of all sales made at the store on Sept. 15 in donation to PCF.
This collaboration will be part of the Mast Store's ongoing commitment to supporting the Columbia community. By giving local nonprofits a way to advertise and showcase what they do, the Mast helps these groups attract donors and increase visibility to those that may not be familiar with such organizations.
As part of Friends Day, PCF has created a special display in one of the Mast's windows that will showcase PCF's mission, events, and history, and specifically the Palmetto Trail. Coincidentally, the trail runs right through downtown Columbia and, in fact, right past Mast General.
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The window, located on the Taylor Street side of the store, includes information about PCF and the Palmetto Trail.
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The display is not only educational, but interactive. Viewers will have the chance to win a prize pack, including a Mast General Store gift certificate, books, and other items, by submitting their answers to trivia questions about the Mast and PCF. The answers to all these questions can be found in the window display, and participants will be able to scan a QR code or visit a url to submit their responses. The display window is located on the Taylor Street side of Mast's location at 1601 Main Street.
The window is on display now and will stay up through the month of September. On Friends Day, Sept. 15, representatives from PCF will be present at the store to offer 50% off new and renewing memberships. Additionally, 10% of all sales made in the store that day will be donated to PCF.
Three participants with correct answers to the window display trivia questions will be randomly selected to win a prize pack with merchandise from PCF and Mast General. For more information about the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, be sure to check online at www.palmettoconservation.org.
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Farewell from Development Director David Harper
Beginning in October, I will be leaving Palmetto Conservation to accept a position as Executive Director of the Pee Dee Land Trust in Florence. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented staff, an impressive board, and a dedicated base of partners, members and fans.
I truly believe that the combined effort of this community of people places Palmetto Conservation at the center of South Carolina's future. PCF is addressing the most urgent needs we face in the Palmetto state --economic development, public health, and conservation -- by creating a wide range of opportunities for residents and visitors alike to experience the great outdoors and develop strong leadership and teamwork abilities.
In my new role I plan to continue working with PCF as part of the conservation community in South Carolina, with an eye toward future collaboration on greenway and blueway projects in the northeast corner of the state. Best wishes to everyone who is on the right path as part of the PCF community.
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Did you know you can find geocaches along the trail?
 Recently, PCF's office was contacted by some amateur geocachers who have created geocaches along the Palmetto Trail.
According to the official US Geocaching site, geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.
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We're offering a deal on one of our best-selling guides!
 Looking for a great way to get your family out and active while discovering some new places in South Carolina? Let PCF's book Favorite Family Hikes be your guide.
In print since 2004, this title has been one of our most popular. The hikes included in this collection are geared more toward the recreational day tripper than the serious hiker. These outings are perfect for families with young children, or for folks looking for less strenuous outdoor opportunities. There are 30 hikes featured in the book with 10 in the Upstate, 10 in the Midlands, and 10 in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
If you call (803) 771-0870 and order with a credit card this month, you can get Favorite Family Hikes for $10, which will include tax, shipping, and handling (a savings of $5.65 over the regular price). Consider a guide for yourself or as a gift for a friend!
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Saturday, September 22nd
Waterfall Hike
10am
Brasstown Falls and Sid Falls
 Join Master Naturalist Dan Whitten for an exciting day of waterfall hikes. The hike to Brasstown Falls is a short 1/2 mile round trip hike rated difficult. This cluster of falls includes 4 drops totaling 120 feet. The hike to Sid Falls in 1.5 miles round trip. It is rated difficult, however only the last 100 yards of the hike is actually difficult. Sid Falls is rated excelent with a 55 foot drop. Bring a lunch and water bottle.
Cost
Free for PCF Members
$10 for non-members
Call (803)771-0870 to sign-up.
Click here for more info.
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Calling all lady hikers
 Here by popular demand, PCF is happy to announce the start of an all-women hiking group, the Ladies of the Palmetto Trail. The first hike will be on Saturday, October 13 on the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage, so mark your calendars if you'd like to join. More details about this hike to come in the October newsletter. For more information, or to sign up, please contact Katherine Anderson at (803) 771-0870 or kanderson@palmettoconservation.org. |
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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 participation is free. Space is limited.
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. Registration for this event will take place Oct. 1-5, and you can sign up by calling our office at (803) 771-0870 or sending an email to kari@palmettoconservation.org.
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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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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