Big news from the Hampton Wildlife Fund! We're thrilled to announce that Ms. Nancy Dalton (BeBe) Harrison of Mount Pleasant will be joining us as our new Executive Director, effective July 1, 2025. BeBe, currently with the SC Wildlife Federation, will be taking the reins from the incredibly dedicated Jim Goller, who has led our fund since 2003.
A Champion for South Carolina's Outdoors
BeBe Harrison brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for wildlife, natural resources, and conservation in the Palmetto State and beyond. Her background includes working directly with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) as an education employee. This unique perspective means she truly understands the inner workings of the agency, much like her predecessor, Jim Goller.
"It is such an incredible honor to be selected as the new Executive Director for the Hampton Wildlife Fund," says Harrison. "I was introduced to the Hampton Wildlife Fund through the SCDNR's Camp Wildwood program when I was 13 years old and never imagined that I would get the chance to serve in this role. I want to thank the board for this opportunity and Jim Goller for being such an exemplary role model as Executive Director."
Throughout her career, BeBe has been a strong advocate for increasing opportunities for youth and women to get involved in fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities. While at SCDNR, she played a key role in their education department, even founding the popular SC Reel Kids and Reel Art programs, along with supporting other initiatives in SCDNR’s Aquatic Education, including district fishing rodeos. She later went on to found Angling Women, an organization dedicated to designing customized aquatic education programs.
You might also spot BeBe at ICAST, the nation's largest gathering for the sportfishing community, where she hosts a networking event for women in the fishing industry, Angling Women in Action. She's no stranger to the Hampton Fund either, currently serving as a valuable member of our Board of Directors.
Honoring Jim Goller's Incredible Legacy
We can't talk about this transition without acknowledging the immense contributions of Jim Goller. For the past 22 years, Jim has faithfully served as our Executive Director, following a distinguished 31-year career with SCDNR.
"Under his leadership and guidance, the Hampton Fund has reached heights that were never imagined when the fund began," said Alvin Taylor, chairman of the Hampton Fund board.
Jim's dedication has been truly transformative. He currently serves on the SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Tournament committee and is the owner of Technautica Marine Electronics and Electrical in his hometown of Beaufort. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his unwavering commitment to South Carolina's natural resources.
Our Continued Commitment to Conservation and Education
"I was introduced to the Hampton Wildlife Fund through the SCDNR's Camp Wildwood program when I was 13 years old and never imagined that I would get the chance to serve in this role. I want to thank the board for this opportunity and Jim Goller for being such an exemplary role model as Executive Director.
The Hampton Wildlife Fund is a 501(c)(3) corporation that proudly partners with the SCDNR to promote natural resources and natural resource education, benefiting wildlife, marine, and other resources across South Carolina.
Thanks to the incredible support of our donors and the dedicated work of leaders like Jim Goller, the total amount donated to SCDNR by the Hampton Wildlife Fund over the years now stands at an impressive $4,751,960!
A major part of our mission is public education on wildlife and marine resources management and conservation. We also believe in investing in the next generation of conservationists. That's why we annually award scholarships to South Carolina resident students attending in-state institutions of higher learning and majoring in fields like wildlife, fisheries, forestry, biology, zoology, marine science, environmental science, law enforcement/criminal justice, or journalism. Since 1995, The Hampton Wildlife Fund has awarded almost $1.2 million in scholarships to SC students.
We are incredibly excited for this new chapter with BeBe Harrison at the helm and look forward to continuing our vital work in protecting and promoting South Carolina's incredible natural heritage.
What are you most excited about for the future of the Hampton Wildlife Fund? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
