Dominion Carolina Gas Transmission, a new corporate partner of the Palmetto Trail, presented a $25,000 grant to support Trail conservation to Palmetto Conservation Foundation (PCF) during a National Trails Day celebration, June 6, at Poinsett State Park, SC.
Executive Director Natalie Britt said, “PCF is thrilled to receive support from Dominion for a much-needed bridge to protect the sensitive ecosystem of Indian Creek on the Enoree Passage.”
The grant will partially fund a new 50-foot, fiberglass pedestrian bridge on the southern section of the passage, which links Newberry, Laurens and Union counties. Hundreds of hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, bird watchers and seasonal hunters use the 36-mile Enoree Passage through Sumter National Forest each month. The Indian Creek watershed is undergoing wildlife habitat restoration. The bridge will protect bottomland habitats while allowing Trail users to cross at all times, even when the creek floods.
“A cornerstone of Dominion’s community commitment is to enhance the quality of life wherever we operate. We are excited about this partnership with the Palmetto Conservation Foundation and their work to complete the Palmetto Trail,” said Keith Windle, general manager-Dominion Carolina Gas Transmission. Dominion acquired Carolina Gas Transmission on Feb. 2 from SCANA Corporation.
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.
National Trails Day® (NTD) is the American Hiking Society’s day of celebration for the nation’s magnificent 200,000-mile Trail System providing access to the natural world. Events nationwide celebrate the interconnected trail network and the untold thousands of volunteers who design, plan, construct and maintain the trails. Palmetto Conservation is hosting NTD events on Palmetto Trail passages at Poinsett State Park in the Midlands and Croft State Park in the Upstate, and on the Awendaw Passage in the Lowcountry. For more information, visit the PCF website at www.palmettoconservation.org.
The Palmetto Trail stretches across South Carolina from Oconee County in the mountains to Awendaw on the coast. The Trail is a free, public resource available to residents and visitors of all ages and abilities for active outdoor recreation. The Trail accommodates active, nonmotorized outdoor recreation—hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, street cycling and, on some passages, horseback riding. When completed, the Trail will be a 500-mile continuous, maintained artery across 14 counties from the mountains to the sea. At present, more than 350 Trail miles, built as 26 passages, are open. For more information, see www.palmettoconservation.org or Facebook/palmettoconservation.
