It's #NationalSafetyMonth, and as temperatures continue rising across South Carolina, it's a great time to brush up on key summer safety tips. Summer brings longer days, outdoor work for some, travel, recreation and increased exposure to heat and environmental hazards. Taking a few simple precautions can help prevent injuries and heat-related illnesses both while working and enjoying the summer months off the clock. • Stay hydrated throughout the day, especially during outdoor work or activities. Do not wait until you feel thirsty to drink water. • Take precautions against heat stress and heat exhaustion. Watch for signs such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headache, confusion or excessive sweating. • Use sunscreen and wear appropriate protective clothing when working or spending extended time outdoors. • Be mindful of ticks, mosquitoes, snakes and other seasonal hazards while in wooded or grassy areas. • Practice water safety during recreational activities. Never swim alone and always supervise children around water. • Use caution with grills, campfires, fireworks and outdoor equipment during summer gatherings. • Remember that vehicle interiors can become dangerously hot within minutes. Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles. • Inspect outdoor equipment, trailers, ATVs and vehicles before use to help prevent breakdowns or accidents. Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but safety should remain part of our daily routine both at work and at home. For more information, check out: nsc.org/community-safety/saf…

#ThrowbackThursday Do you recognize this tool? In 1949, John Shirer of the SC Forestry Commission’s fire staff developed a pocket sized hand-held device to calculate the value of timber lost in a wildfire. Made of weather-resistant cardboard, the device consisted of two connected wheels, one printed with descriptions of different forest types and the other with an indicator of fire intensity. When the appropriate values had been aligned on the wheels, the dollar loss per acre was displayed in a window. Shirer called his device the “Damometer." It was adopted by the US Forest Service, renamed the “Southern States Forest Fire Damage Appraisal Meter," mass produced and distributed to forestry agencies throughout the south.

DID YOU KNOW: When it comes to the US's most forested states, SC ranks 6th at 67% forested! That comes out to nearly 13 million acres of forestland across the state. "Certain parts of the Northeast, Appalachia, and parts of the Pacific Northwest regions benefit from favorable rainfall, moderate temperatures, and terrain that has historically limited large-scale agricultural development. In contrast, many western desert states and Great Plains states feature much lower levels of forest cover due to drier climates and grassland ecosystems." Learn more: visualcapitalist.com/cp/mapp…

APPLY NOW: Portable bridge purchase assistance program The South Carolina Timber Producers Association and the SCFC, with funding from the US Forest Service, are partnering to improve and expand the Portable Bridge Purchase Assistance Program. WHO -Funds will be available to eligible forest products operators *Applicants must reside in SC *Applicants must not have any tracts with unresolved BMP compliance issues WHAT Program funding will cover 80% of the cost of: -Portable bridges -Short-span steel bridges for crossing roadside ditches -Steel wet-weather road mats *Max allowable funding per applicant is $18k per year *Primary use of the bridges and/or mats must be for forestry-related activities WHEN Applications are open now until June 26, 2026 bit.ly/2026tpafc CONTACT SCFC Environmental Program Manager Holly Welch (803) 667-0815 or hwelch@scfc.gov *Funding is based upon actual expenses incurred. Applications must be approved before the purchase is made to be eligible for assistance. A lottery system will be used to select which applicants receive funding if the number of applications received exceeds the available funds. If there are funds remaining after the initial funding period, they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Congratulations to Dorchester/Orangeburg Sector Fire Management Officer (FMO) Middleton Bull for graduating from the SC Criminal Justice Academy! Bull graduated with Class 857 Friday. Before his role as FMO, Bull worked as a forestry technician in the Dorchester/Orangeburg Sector. Congratulations, Middleton! Learn more about forest protection: scfc.gov/protection/law-enfo…

What do salamanders, lichen, owls and monarch butterflies have in common? They're all indicator species! #ForestryFactFriday Did you know certain species help us understand forest and ecosystem health? How does it work? "When an indicator species vanishes from an ecosystem, or its population moves or changes, it’s a sign that something is wrong. It could indicate a change in water or air quality, or the impact of a warming environment or the presence of pathogens (microorganisms, viruses, toxins, etc) and disease. When these changes occur, indicator species are the first to respond, either by leaving an ecosystem or by perishing. These changes alert conservationists to instability in the environment." Learn more: planetwild.com/blog/indicato…

REGISTER NOW: Want to learn more about our oak species, along with their pests and stressors in the Carolina Sandhills region? Join Clemson Extension and the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic for an informative webinar series with credits! Registration includes access to all three webinar sessions and links to the recordings. TOPICS COVERED: -Oak species in the Carolina Sandhills Region -Common oak stressors -Oak pests -Oak wilt symptoms -Proper field sampling techniques WHEN: June 15, 22 and 29, 2026 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom APPROVED CREDITS: 4.5 hours Category 1 CFE credits 1.5 CORE SC Pesticide Recertification credits *ISA credits have been applied for REGISTER: eventbrite.com/e/oak-tree-he… *Registration without CFE and/or ISA credits (includes pesticide): $25 *Registration with CFE and/or ISA credits (includes pesticide): $50 CONTACT: Janet Steele at jmwatt@clemson.edu or 839-900-1354

Staff from Harbison State Forest partnered with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department for a joint training exercise focused on locating, stabilizing and extracting an injured trail user from remote areas of the forest this spring. The training allowed firefighters and Harbison staff to practice coordinating an emergency response in the challenging terrain often found along the forest’s trail system. Crews worked through scenarios involving steep creek banks, muddy conditions and limited vehicle access while using an off-road litter carrier designed specifically for backcountry rescue operations. The off-road litter carrier, purchased through support from the Friends of Harbison State Forest, is an important addition to the forest’s emergency response capabilities. The specialized equipment allows responders to safely transport injured visitors through areas that are difficult to access with traditional rescue vehicles. In addition to improving familiarity with the equipment, the exercise gave both agencies an opportunity to strengthen communication and coordination before a real emergency occurs.

Looking for a fun, educational summer activity? Join us at Harbison State Forest’s Environmental Education Center Wednesday, June 10 for Cub Scout Family Day, an opportunity to have fun exploring and learning in the forest with your family! From 8:30am to 2pm, Scouts will take part in fun, hands-on, educational experiences, discovering some of the resources forests provide to humans and understanding that people have a very large part to play in sustaining the health of forests. Our Program Managers will be available to guide you through multiple exciting programs! Learn more and register: scoutingevent.com/553-hsfcub…

June is National Great Outdoors Month! The annual celebration of nature and outdoor recreation encourages Americans to spend time at forests, trails, parks and more. Whether you enjoying biking, hiking, walking or otherwise exploring SC's landscapes, this month is a great time to appreciate our state's natural beauty! Find a state forest near you: scfc.gov/state-lands/

Need some outfit inspo? Forget fast fashion... let us introduce you to forestry fashion 🌲 #FridayForestryFunny *Disclaimer: Although these looks would rock the runway, they would NOT fit in on the fireline!

#ThrowbackThursday to this 1945 photo showing South Carolina's first wildfire fighting unit. South Carolina was the first southern state to offer statewide forest fire protection. At that time, the SC Forestry Commission had only three bulldozers, 19 farm tractors and hand tools. Learn more about our history: scfc.gov/about-us/history/pi…

COMING SOON: The Forestry Commission is excited to host two GSA badge workshops Friday, June 5 at Harbison State Forest in Columbia.⁠ ⁠ For Brownies & Juniors (9 a.m.-12 p.m.):⁠ Spend the day exploring the beauty and wonder of the outdoors while building skills, confidence, and a deeper connection to nature. Brownies will work toward earning their Eco Friend badge, discovering ways to protect the environment, meet forest plants and animals, and learn how to be everyday eco-heroes. Juniors will level up their outdoor know-how by learning essential hiking skills, identifying trees and spotting wildlife that brings the forest to life, all based on the Junior Eco Camper badge.⁠ *Learn more and register: gssc-mm.org/en/sf-events-rep… ⁠ For Cadettes (1-4 p.m.):⁠ Join us at beautiful Harbison State Forest for an afternoon of discovery as you dive into the fascinating world of trees and complete your Cadette Trees Badge. Guided by local experts, you’ll explore the forest like a true environmental scientist – learning how to identify different tree species, understand how forests function and uncover why trees are essential to our planet (and to us!). ⁠ *Learn more and register: gssc-mm.org/en/sf-events-rep… ⁠ For more information, contact Environmental Education Program Manager Matt Schnabel at MSchnabel@scfc.gov.

Join our team! We are currently hiring for: 🌟 Wildland Firefighter - Jasper County 🌟 Stewardship Forester - Florence County 🌟 Sector Fire Management Officer - Kershaw County Don't see what you're looking for right now? Check back regularly to see new openings: governmentjobs.com/careers/s…

Today we remember those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day!

Is your partner more similar to forestry equipment than you thought? 🤔 Learn more about equipment, forestry and what we do at scfc.gov #ForestryFunnyFriday

This #ThrowbackThursday features wooden tool handles being made at Hickory Handles, Inc. in Batesburg in the 1950s.

COMING SOON: Two invasive insects threaten South Carolina's Lowcountry: the Asian longhorn beetle and the yellow-legged hornet. Join Clemson Invasive Species Program Coordinator Caroline Oatley to learn how to identify these species, report sightings and help stop their spread. This live, in-person, one-hour presentation will be offered twice on June 16 for scheduling flexibility. Choose the session that works best for you. SESSION 1 10:00 am - Clemson Extension TEACH Center 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., C412 Charleston, SC 29407 SESSION 2 2:00 pm - Cypress Gardens 3030 Cypress Gardens Road Moncks Corner, SC 29461 *Entry to Cypress Gardens requires a separate $10.00 admission ticket. Learn more and reserve your spot: eventbrite.com/e/invasive-in…