Wildlife Action, Inc. a non-profit organization of hunters, fishers, and eventually environmentalists, received its charter in 1977. As the old saying goes, “You’ve come a long way baby” since the days when a group of hunters and fishers got together for revelry.
When Maggi Hall became a part of Wildlife Action, she wanted more than resource extraction events. Nestled near the banks of the Little Pee Dee River a project near and dear to her heart took shape. As a member of the organization interested in saving trees, birds, and wildlife rather than hunting or fishing, she explored the idea of something more – something concrete and lasting—something that would benefit children and future generations. As a veteran school teacher Hall was all about children and education.
While visiting her grandsons in Nashville Tennessee they spent a lovely day at Ijams, a 315-acre nature center offering environmental education programs, hikes, paddling, and lazy-day out-of-doors adventures. As Ijams advertises, “It’s a wildlife sanctuary where everyone can learn about, enjoy and connect with nature.” Hall sat with her young grandsons on a grassy slope and said to herself, “I can do this.” And thus, the Resource Education Center was born.
Wildlife Action (WLA) had the land so what were we waiting for she asked the president? That was in 1991. After Hall wrote dozens of letters to log cabin companies “begging” for a cabin, one builder took the bait and offered a cabin at half price. Sold! WLA members stepped up to construct the structure, trash clean-up was non-stop for weeks, planting, clearing, cutting, and preparing for the future. What an adventure!
A year of work detail and they were ready to open. The Center was an instant success becoming the second environmental education center in South Carolina. Hall became the director. Brochures advertising class offerings were printed and disseminated to schools within a 100-mile radius. Over 5000 children visited the Center the first year. The local timber industry donated 400 feet of timber for a boardwalk so children could study the swamp. The local and state newspapers wrote numerous articles about the Center. Television stations came to film. The SC State Department of Education Science Coordinator endorsed its educational programs.
One of the many classes offered included a lesson on plants and insects. Butterfly nets waving in the breeze, collecting specimens from both managed and unmanaged areas gave the students a firsthand experience in studying plants and animals. Thank you letters written included these comments:
“It was fun trying to catch the fishing spider.”
“Thank you for letting us gather up insects. I liked your insect boxes. I think cancer root was neat. I’m surprised the snake didn’t bite us. It was a copperhead.”
“We enjoyed you and Mr. Walter taking us in the woods. I learned a lot about insects and plants too. We enjoyed everything you did for us.”
It was a great honor for Hall to be chosen by the Wilderness Society as the “National 1993 Environmental Woman of Action for South Carolina” for her volunteer contributions in the development of the resource center and also for her successful battle to half the I-20 Connector through thousands of acres of wetlands. Each honoree received $1,000 to donate to the school of her choice to further environmental education. The three day, all-expense-paid trip to the nation’s capital included private tours and a formal awards ceremony and reception featuring EPA Director Carol Browner. Hall donated her $1,000 to Marion High School in Marion SC where the first pilot project for WLA’s Program S.H.A.R.E was organized by Hall’s daughter, Erin.
When Hall was asked about the best thing that ever happened to her at the Center, she was always quick to respond. “As a class was preparing to leave for the day, one youngster, age 7, paused, looked up into my eyes and spoke words that have stayed with me for all times: ‘Miss Maggi, I’ll remember this day for the rest of my life.’”
Hall moved to Florida in 1995 but the Center continues to hold summer camps. Those interested in a rich outdoor experience may contact its headquarters in Mullins SC at 803.464.8473.