This year’s Hampton Fund donation was $71,900. That brings the total to $2,627,030 donated to DNR by the Hampton Fund over the years.
The S.C. Natural Resources Board, the policy-making body of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), met in Charleston on Friday, Feb.18. During the meeting, the board formally accepted a monetary donation from the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc.
The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation which partners with the DNR for the promotion of natural resources and natural resource education which benefits the conservation of wildlife, marine and other resources in South Carolina. Funds are obtained solely through private donations and special promotional projects, fundraising 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 partnered since 1982 in preserving, enhancing and promoting the natural resources of South Carolina,” said Hampton board chairman Frank Sistare of Spartanburg. “Our natural resources deserve our stewardship, not just for us today, but for future generations of South Carolinians.” “The Hampton Fund is keenly aware of the acute state budget crisis, particularly at DNR, and we are extremely grateful to all South Carolina for supporting our fundraising efforts which made this donation possible,” said the Fund’s executive director Jim Goller of Beaufort and a DNR retiree.
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 majoring in wildlife, fisheries, forestry, biology, zoology, marine science, environmental science or related fields and one scholarship is awarded annually in the field of journalism. Projects supported and funded by the Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund include:
• DNR Law Enforcement Program
• Bruce Rush Artificial Reef
• Striped Bass Research
• Operation Game Thief
• DNR Land, Water and Conservation Envirothon
• Jocassee Gorges Visitors Center Educational Displays
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