Dominion supports improvements on Palmetto Trail Passage
June 27, 2016
The Palmetto Trail’s Fort Jackson Passage will receive some much needed upgrades soon, thanks to a $15,000 environmental grant from the Dominion Foundation and Dominion Resources.
“Palmetto Conservation Foundation is fortunate to work with corporate partners like Dominion that focus grants and human resources on preserving natural habitats and making nature accessible for public use,” Executive Director Natalie Britt said.
In addition to grants, Britt observed, “Dominion also has an active community volunteer program. An experienced crew of Dominion volunteers recently built a trail bridge on the Fort Jackson Passage.” She added, “Dominion’s leadership commitment is phenomenal, considering the company only moved into South Carolina about 14 months ago.”
The 16-mile Fort Jackson Passage experienced extensive damage from the epic flood last October, as well as from logging across some sections. Funds will be used to build about five miles of Trail, including bog bridges, a 250-foot boardwalk along Colonel’s Creek, and a reroute of a temporary crossing at Cedar Creek. The work will protect sensitive ecosystems and enhance the outdoor experience for hikers and bicyclists. Fort Jackson Passage is particularly popular with Army and National Guard families, and is a favorite destination of Trail users in Columbia.
(“We are proud of our partnership and friendship with the Palmetto Conservation Foundation,” said Keith Windle, General Manager for Dominion Carolina Gas Transmission. “The Palmetto Trail makes nature accessible not only to the Army and the National Guard, but also to families, outdoor adventurers and students.”)
Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy. The Dominion Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the communities served by Dominion companies, including Dominion Carolina Gas Transmission. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, support education and promote community vitality. For more information about Dominion, visit www.dom.com.
The Palmetto Trail is a free public resource that showcases South Carolina’s natural beauty and history, and provides residents and visitors of all abilities a venue for active outdoor recreation.
The Trail’s 27 passages, at present, stretch about 360 miles across 14 counties from Walhalla in the Blue Ridge Mountains to Awendaw on the Lowcountry coast. The Trail is South Carolina’s longest hiking–biking trail and largest off-road trail construction project. About 140 miles remain to be built. With trailheads all along its length, the Palmetto Trail is easily accessed from anywhere in the state.
For more information and downloadable maps, visit www.palmettoconservation.org.
About Palmetto Conservation Foundation
The mission of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation (PCF) is to conserve South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources, preserve historic landmarks, and promote outdoor recreation through trails and greenways. Founded in 1989, PCF is a statewide nonprofit organization with offices in Columbia and Glendale (Spartanburg County). PCF’s largest and best-known project is building and maintaining the Palmetto Trail. Supporting Trail use is the Glendale Outdoor Leadership School, a PCF program. GOLS supports PCF’s mission by providing education and skills training that help people stay safe while enjoying the great outdoors. GOLS teaches courses in wilderness medicine (certified first aid and first responder) and active recreational sports, including rock climbing, mountain biking and kayaking.
To learn more about Palmetto Conservation, the Palmetto Trail and GOLS, visit www.palmettoconservation.org and Facebook/palmettoconservation, or call 803-771-0870.
