State Tax Return Check Off Makes it Easy to Support State Parks

South Carolinians can have a big impact on their state parks when they file their 2008 state income tax return.

The South Carolina State Park Service is launching a public awareness campaign encouraging citizens to “Check Off for State Parks” when they file their individual state income tax returns.

Contributions made on Schedule I-330 will fund new trails, better programs, and other visitor enhancements at South Carolina’s 47 state parks.

“The majority of the 7 million annual visitors to South Carolina’s state parks are South Carolina residents. This program provides an easy way for these loyal park customers to support their state parks,” said Chad Prosser, director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “We think this is a great opportunity for South Carolinians to show their support and make a difference in their state parks just by donating when they file their taxes.”

Taxpayers can designate any amount from $1 up to be used for state park improvements. More than $33,000 was donated in 2008 by South Carolina taxpayers. Check off programs can make a real impact. For instance, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has collected more than $21 million since 1984 to help with conservation efforts in that state.
Prosser said that the check-off donations will be used strictly for enhancement projects such as replacing the viewing platforms at Huntington Beach, trail improvements at Table Rock and historic preservation projects at Hampton Plantation and the Hunting Island Lighthouse. Unlike most state programs, the State Park Service receives only a small portion of its budget from state taxes. Thus, state parks depend on charitable contributions and park revenues for maintenance and improvements.

The S.C. State Park Service is a division of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism and manages 47 state parks, covering more than 80,000 acres that include more than 3,000 campsites, 220 cabins and villas, lake and river access, historic sites, public beaches, sand hills pine woods and mountain forest. For more information, go to www.Checkoff4SCParks.com or www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.

State Park Service Photo Contest

The S.C. State Park Service is holding a year-long photo contest in celebration of the parks’ 75th anniversary.

The first-place winner in each category received a prize pack worth approximately $50. More than 1,200 photos have been submitted in the contest since it began in April. The monthly contests will continue through next April 30.

The grand prize is an Edisto folding kayak outfitted with a special fish and photo package – a $2,500 value donated by Folbot North America in Charleston (www.folbot.com). Best-of-show winners will receive prizes such as a state park cabin overnight getaway or digital cameras.

Contestants are submitting their photos for display online. Entry information and the entries themselves are at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com. Click on the “Come Out and Play” button and then the “photo contest” link.

Subject categories include mammals, birds, other wildlife, plants and “connecting people to South Carolina state parks.” The latter category can include anything from the wide range of activities – from paddling to picnicking and fishing to birdwatching – that have made the parks an integral part of South Carolina life since the first were built in the 1930s.

The judging panel includes professional photographers and staff members from the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, the Park Service’s parent agency.

Winning and other selected entries will be displayed on the Web site during the year to help showcase the photographers’ work and the natural, cultural and historic sights and activities that more than 7 million visitors a year now enjoy at South Carolina’s 47 state parks, which trace their beginnings to enabling legislation passed by the General Assembly in 1933.

Hunting Island State Park on TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Beach List

BEAUFORT – The beach at Hunting Island State Park has been named one of the top 10 in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Hunting Island was eighth on the list compiled by TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index and its travel Web sites’ editors.

“Hunting Island beach is part of a lush and protected nature reserve, and this secluded barrier island is home to an enormous variety of wildlife. Great for hiking, biking and camping, visitors will also want to check out the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse. According to one TripAdvisor member, ‘"Hunting Island State Park is one of the true gems of the South Carolina coast,"’ TripAdvisor said in its announcement of the top 10 list.

In addition to Hunting Island, the list includes four beaches in Florida, three in Hawaii, one in California and Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia.

"These spectacular beaches stand out for their world-class sand, breathtaking water, and all-around relaxing environments," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "Many of these beaches are off the beaten path, so travelers should pack their beach bags and head there before word gets out."

Hunting Island State Park at the southern terminus of U.S. 21 about 20 miles east of Beaufort is a 5,000-acre, semi-tropical barrier island that also includes maritime forest, marsh and creeks. Camping and cabins are available. For reservations, call 1-866-345-PARK or go to www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.