How the South Carolina Native Plant Certificate Program Helped Bill McCullough Transform an Interest into a Passion

Bill’s vocation working as a Social Security Administration claims representative in Columbia, SC had nothing to do with plants. However, in retirement he quickly found a native plant interest that flourished into a passion by joining SCNPS, graduating from the South Carolina Native Plant Certificate Program, and helping revitalize the SCNPS Midlands Chapter.

How did you become interested in native plants?

Although I worked at the Riverbanks Zoo back in the 1970s as a bird keeper and befriended members of the horticulture department, I had little background with botany and native plants before joining the SC Native Plant Society.

I started hiking the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and realized I knew nothing about the plants I was seeing. I bought Richard Porcher’s book, A Guide to the Wildflowers of South Carolina and Larry Mellichamp’s, Native Plants of the Southeast. I saw that there was a Native Plant Society and joined South Carolina’s.

Why did you take the certificate program?

I took the Native Plant Certificate courses for two reasons. First, to learn about native plants. Second, to meet other people with the same interests. The Midland Chapter was not functioning. I met Kris Litman-Koon in another environmental group, and with the help of the state chapter, we revitalized the Midland Chapter.

Did participating in the certificate program change your perspective on native plants, native habitats or ecology?

Taking the classes opened a whole new world for me.  Although I had been active in environmental groups since the first Earth Day in 1970, the classes further explained the interactions between plants and animals and the importance of native plants to preserve the environment.  One cannot study native plants without studying birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fungi, etc. and their interactions.

Did participating in the program help with your work, paid or volunteer? If so, how?

The classes helped me revitalize our chapter. Although I realized that I still do not know much about native plants, I know more than most people, and it helped me recruit members.  Also, I became a landscape volunteer with one of the Richland Count Library branches, and my knowledge helped me maintain our nature trail.

Did you have a favorite class in the program?

The introduction to botany class was overwhelming, but I loved it.  I helped me make sense of it all. The classes I really enjoyed had a lot to do with the instructors.  I loved the spring and fall herbaceous classes and coastal community class with Patrick McMillan, the mountain community and fern classes with Ranger Lee, and the piedmont community class with Dr. Horn.  The tree class with Dan Whitten was great.

Learn more about classes offered through the South Carolina Native Plant Certificate Program and register. All classes can be taken individually or as part of the program that awards a certificate with the completion of 11 classes – seven core plus four electives.

Friends of the Garden and SCNPS members can receive a 10% discount by using the code Garden2026 at registration.

Classroom teachers: register for a free teacher workshop.