Bringing Wildlife Photography to Life in a Calendar
At the heart of Charleston County’s Caw Caw Interpretive Center, a passion for wildlife and community came together in a unique project: the creation of a custom wall calendar. Featuring breathtaking photography from a local naturalist and Bald Eagle Ambassador, this calendar not only showcases the park’s remarkable landscapes and resident wildlife but also serves as a first-time fundraising effort for the center’s gift shop. What began as one photographer’s idea has become a meaningful way to connect visitors with the beauty of Caw Caw while supporting the park’s mission.
Project Background
As a semi-retired wildlife photographer, Colin Hocking continues to share his passion for the natural world by teaching and leading workshops. But one of his most meaningful projects began at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, part of Charleston County Parks in South Carolina.
After graduating from the Master Naturalist Program in 2019, and later becoming the President of the Coastal Master Naturalist Association, he dedicated much of his time volunteering at the park as a Bald Eagle Ambassador. With thousands of photographs captured at the center over the years, he proposed an exciting idea: creating a custom wall calendar to be sold in the park’s gift shop.
This was a first-of-its-kind project for the Caw Caw Interpretive Center gift shop, and it represented a creative way to share the beauty of the park while generating support for its programs.
Challenges Along the Way
Just weeks before the calendar was scheduled to go to print, tragedy struck: a fire destroyed the visitor center and gift shop. The calendar project was forced to pause indefinitely.
A year later, with a temporary gift shop finally in place, the project was able to move forward. The calendars are now available for purchase; just in time for an upcoming festival where the photographer himself will be on hand to sign copies for visitors.
“Since this is the first attempt at selling calendars there, it’s difficult to know how they’ll sell, but I’m hoping this will be an ongoing and successful moneymaker for them!” — Colin Hocking
Caw Caw 2026 Product Specifications
To showcase the vivid wildlife photography, a high-quality wall calendar was produced with premium printing:
Calendar Specs
Size: 11 x 8.5 inches
Calendar Type: Wall Calendar
Binding: Saddle Stitch
Pages: 28
Cover Paper: 100# Cardstock Gloss (9 pt.)
Cover Ink: (4/4) Full Color Both Sides
Inside Ink: (4/4) Full Color Both Sides
Inside Paper: 100# Paper Gloss (5 pt.)
Cover Finish: UV High Gloss
Looking Ahead
This calendar is more than just a collection of beautiful images, it represents resilience, community, and the passion of one photographer to share the natural beauty of the center with others. By combining professional-quality printing with a meaningful mission, the project not only gives visitors a chance to bring home a piece of the park but also supports the ongoing work of the Charleston County Parks system. Click here to create your own custom calendar today!
