SC Native Plant Society ♦ 2022 Annual Meeting!

Date/Time: Saturday (10/29/22), 9:00 am – 4:30 pm; rain or shine!

Location: Southern 8ths, 305 Lucious Davis Rd., Chesterfield, SC 29709

Planned Activities:  State Business Meeting & Officer Elections, Presentations, Volunteer Recognition, Lunch, Invited Organizations, Plant Sales, & Field Trips

Southern 8ths is located in an area of convergence, where the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain meet along the state line of North and South Carolina.  This land is rich in American and natural history, and has a history of horses being present since the late 18th century.  The geophysical nature of these 1,400 acres of preserved land has encouraged the growth of rolling pastures and fields, diverse upland and bottom land hardwood forests and planted pine stands.

The waters of Thompson Creek and its tributaries drop over shale bases to join the Great Pee Dee River and flow to the Atlantic. This land is home to reclaimed grass prairies full of insects and dappled sunlit woodland trails, offering respite to birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and humans.

This “corridor of green” is a work-in-progress, and it is teaching us about its future role in the survival of humankind and animal-kind.

For more information about Southern 8ths, see their website, www.so8ths.com.

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Online pre-registration via Eventbrite is required – $12.00 per person, non-refundable.

Optional boxed lunches provided by the local Subway (wrap, chips, & cookie) are available for purchase ($10.00 each) with registration, or you may bring lunch with you.  SCNPS will provide complimentary hot & cold beverages plus snacks throughout the day.  Please bring a mug, thermos, and/or beverage container to use for the day.

On-site camping available with registration – RV hook-ups (water & electric, no sewer/dump station) and tent sites are available – $28.00 per night for RV hook-up; $12.00 per night for tent spaces (includes access to restrooms & showers).  Campers may check-in starting at noon on Friday, October 28; check-out no later than 5 pm, October 29.  Spaces are limited – register early!

Liability Waivers:  Attendees will be required to sign liability waivers for SC Native Plant Society and Southern 8ths/Carolina Wildlands Foundation as part of the 9 am registration check-in process.  Should you want to a see a copy of the waivers prior to the meeting, please email [email protected] no later than October 16.

A note about the venue:  The actual meeting facility is a covered, open-air arena with packed-sand floor.  Please dress for the weather taking into account outdoor conditions.  Layered clothing, sturdy, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and responsible use of insect repellent are recommended.  Field trips will occur on uneven ground with possible natural hazards such as water, mud, wildlife, and poisonous plants.  This is a rain or shine event!

 

Area lodging options:

Baymont by Wyndham (710 Market Street, Cheraw, SC 843-253-5360; 18 miles from venue)

Quality Inn (885 Chesterfield Hwy, Cheraw, SC 843-537-5626; 16 miles from venue; special rate for SC Native Plant Society meeting attendees)

Palmetto Inn & Suites (820 Market Street, Cheraw 843-537-5554; 18 miles from venue; special rate for SC Native Plant Society meeting attendees)

Inn Cheraw (321 Second Street, Cheraw, SC 843-537-2011; 19 miles from venue)

Pageland Guest Lodge (910 W McGregor, Pageland, SC 843-672-6117; 16 miles from venue)

There are also few bed & breakfasts and Airbnbs in the area; search online for these.

Cheraw State Park and H Cooper Black camp grounds are full for the weekend.

 

PLANNED MEETING SCHEDULE:

9:00 – 9:30 am             Registration Check-in, Field Trip Sign-up & Waivers (Required)

Please bring your Eventbrite tickets (paper or digital) to registration.

9:30 – 10:15 am           Welcome & Annual Business Meeting – Katie Ellis, SCNPS President

10:30 – 11:15 am         Southern 8ths: A Special Place – Brad Turley, Owner

11:30 am – 12:15 pm SC’s Newest State Park – Rick Huffman, Earth Design

12:15 – 1:00 pm          Announcements & Volunteer Recognition – Katie Ellis, SCNPS

President

1:00 – 3:00 pm            Break for Lunch with time to visit Invited Organizations & Plant Sales Area (Access to organizations and plant sale area will remain open until 4:00 pm)

Please be sure to visit the on-site Learning Center for information about the Carolina Wildlands Foundation, including the on-site Biological Field Station and sponsored university research – David Harper, Program Manager.

3:00 – 4:30 pm            On-site Field Trips & Tours (Select & sign-up at registration check-in)

Prairie Restoration Project – Brianna Bergamini, Prairie Keeper & Dr. Jerry Long, Francis Marion University (Dress for off-trail ramble, carpool to site)

Native Plants along Thompson Creek – Dr. Charles Horn, Newberry College (Dress for a wooded trail hike)

Southern 8ths Art & History Tour – Brad Turley, Southern 8ths.  View beautiful fallen-tree woodcarvings by resident artist, Randi Boni; visit an historic family cemetery; and hear the stories about both. (Transported around property on an open-air trailer with seating)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, contact [email protected].

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!