The S.C. Natural Resources Board, the policy-making body of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, met in Charleston on Friday, February 16th and during the meeting formally accepted a monetary donation from the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. This year marked the largest donation ever by the Harry Hampton Fund at $179,425. That amounts to $2,150,905 donated to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) over the years.
The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation which partners with
the DNR for the promotion of education, research, management and the administration of game and fish laws, which will benefit conservation of wildlife, marine and other natural resources in South Carolina. Funds are obtained solely through private donations and special promotional projects, fund-raising events and publications. Although some of the funds are donated to special projects run by the DNR, they are not used to replace any department programs already supported by appropriated money.
“The Harry Hampton Fund and DNR have a long history of partnership in preserving, enhancing and promoting the natural resources of South Carolina,” said Hampton board chairman William L. (Sam) Hiott. “After all, our natural resources belong not just to us, but to future generations.”
Public education in the principles of wildlife and marine resources management and conservation is a major thrust of the fund’s purpose. Two scholarships are annually awarded to South Carolina resident students to attend a South Carolina institution of higher learning major in wildlife, fisheries, forestry, biology, zoology, marine science, environmental science or related fields and one scholarship is awarded in the field of journalism.
Projects supported and funded by the Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund include:
- Marine Educational Guides and Posters
- DNR Law Enforcement Program
- Striped Bass Research
- Operation Game Thief
- DNR Land, Water and Conservation Envirothon
- Jocassee Gorges Visitors Center Educational Displays