Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Keck.
Hi Jay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up on the south side of Lake Murray and spent a lot of time outdoors; playing sports, swimming, or hunting and fishing. I went to the College of Charleston and then entered the insurance business after graduating. My wife and I moved to Pittsburgh in 2008 and the company I was working for opened a position for me there. Although I was grateful for my job, I didn’t enjoy it and it was not fulfilling. I worked from home, which allowed me a lot of time in the vegetable garden when work was a bit slower. One day I was in the garden when an absolutely stunning bird flew in front of me. I was talking to a friend of mine over the phone when it happened, and I explained to him that the bird looked like it was on fire because it was so orange. After a short Google search, I learned that it was a Baltimore Oriole. Two weeks later on an assignment for work in a rural area north of Pittsburgh, I saw something deep blue in a tree near the country road. I pulled over and exited the car to stare at the sapphire-blue bird for a bit. After some research, I found out it was an Indigo Bunting. I had no idea these birds existed, and began wondering why I had never heard about them, and why they were in PA. I was hooked immediately, and after moving back to SC in 2013, I connected with the SC Wildlife Federation and began taking their Pro-Birder classes with teachers around the state. One teacher -and personal hero of mine- Drew Lanham, from Clemson University, saw that I had a knack for identifying birds by sight and sound. He planted the seed with SC Wildlife Federation that I would make a good addition to their team. After some additional years of classes, and some volunteer opportunities of teaching bird classes myself, I began working for the federation in 2018. It is the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Many of the folks in the conservation/nature business went to school specifically for biology, ecology, wildlife biology, or another related subject. I was a Spanish major and had no formal training. It took years of practice, self-study, and classes through SCWF to gather the knowledge to enable me to teach classes on birds, habitat enhancement, and even snakes. Imposter syndrome is something I struggle with since I took a different road to get to where I am. Many of the people I know and respect in this business have Masters degrees or PhDs. I had to realize that I brought something unique to the table, and that it was ok that I didn’t have a decade or more of formal training and school to be effective.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a naturalist for the SC Wildlife Federation. My official title is “Industry Habitat Manager”. My duties include encouraging large corporations around the state to join our WAIT (Wildlife and Industry Together) program. As a WAIT partner, the company is required to enhance their property for wildlife, engage with the employees and the community in a way that is beneficial to them and to wildlife, and finally, they support our organization financially. We’re a non-profit.
I also lead bird walks around SC, present at schools, libraries, churches, and other organizations around the state about nature, conservation, and creating wildlife habitats.
We also have a dinner series called “Forks, Knives, and Spoonbills” where chefs create dishes that represent SC birds in decline. As the dish is being served, I talk about the bird that it represents, the challenges it faces, and what guests can do to ensure the species has a bright future.
We also have classes on snakes, spiders, dragonflies, caterpillars, and more – with accomplished teachers from around the state leading and teaching them.
Unlike many other nature-focused organizations, we are also focused on continuing our hunting and fishing tradition here in our state through events like the Palmetto Outdoors Women’s Retreat, where women learn how to shoot, fish, kayak, camp and cook outdoors – among many other classes offered.
We also started a “Plishing” tournament last year, encouraging South Carolinians to pick up litter while they are fishing. Picking up Litter while Fishing = Plishing! The idea originated from “Plogging”, a Swedish term combining plocka upp (pick up) and jogga (jog) – Picking up litter while jogging.
We have also installed almost 500 bird boxes for the Prothonotary Warbler, a gorgeous bird species that migrate here from the tropics to breed. They have declined around 40% over the last 50 years. Our goal is to increase breeding opportunities for them and increase awareness of South Carolinians that the birds simply exist and are worth saving.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Connecting people to our amazing planet thrills me! Many people are so busy with daily life they forget we live on a spectacular planet with fascinating plants and animals.
One of the things that makes me happiest is the reaction I witness when I show someone an animal species for the first time. When I see an adult react like a kid because they just saw something so beautiful and different it makes me want to burst with joy. At that moment that person has no stress and is completely and gleefully wrapped up in the natural world that just grabbed their attention. It also gives me hope that the individual will now begin caring for (conservation) the animal that just wowed him or her. It gives them a reason to care for our planet.
Oh, and birds make me happy. They really, really make me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scwf.org
- Instagram: scwildlifefederation
- Facebook: scwildlifefederation
- Youtube: SCWildlifeFederation
