South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

__ ,Newsletter 1f the Ashepoo, Combahee, Edisto Basin

z -en CI m

Vol. 9, No.2, Summer 1999 ______________________________ _

The Nature Conservancy Protects Prospect Hill Plantation

The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina has protected Prospect Hill and Riverside Plantations.

The 1,200 acre site is on Edisto Island in the ACE Basin, with 2 miles of frontage on the South Edisto River. The Conservancy purchased the property from Tang Investment Associates of Elk Grove Village, Illi­nois for $5.75 million.

"Prospect Hill has been a conservation priority for more than a decade, " said Charles Lane, chairman of the ACE Basin Task Force, a coalition offederal and state agencies, private landowners and private conserva­tion groups dedicated to conserving the 350,000-acre ACE Basin ecosystem.

"The Prospect Hill project is the most expensive acquisition in the 20-year history of the South Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and presented enormous challenges," said Mark Robertson, the Conservancy's State Director. "We are very pleased that we were able to reach agreement with the former owners, resulting in the protection of this strategic tract in the ACE Basin and advancing the effort of the ACE Basin partnership."

Prospect Hill is strategically located on the South Edisto River just below Jehossee Island and across/rom Bear Island and Fenwick Island.

Tang Investment Associates purchased the property in 1985 with the original intent of developing the tract as a residential subdivision with a marina and golf course. Those plans were never implemented.

The property supports a diversity of natural habitats including globally imperiled maritime forests, pine forests, agricultural fields and fresh, brackish and salt marshes. Acquisition of Prospect Hill safeguards the ecological integrity of a network of conservation lands in the ACE Basin including the ACE Basin National Estuarine Re­search Reserve, ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina's Bear Island Wildlife Management Area and numerous privately owned properties protected by conservation easements.

"The Prospect Hill project assures protection of a major portion of the st. Helena Sound estuary, the bio­logical heart of the ACE Basin," said Michael Prevost, the Conservancy's ACE Basin Project Director. The South Edisto River, which borders the property, is classified as outstanding resources waters, the highest water quality classification in South Carolina. It is habi­tat for the endangered shortnose sturgeon, and nearby wetlands are habitat for endangered wood storks, bald eagles, and numerous waterfowl. More than 35 species of migratory birds, which are considered priority species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, also utilize the river's wetlands.

The Conservancy will ensure the protection of the 1,200 acres through perpetual conservation easements designed to conserve the biological values of the land as well as adjacent waters and wetlands. The Conser­vancy plans to resell some tracts, with conservation easements, to private conservation buyers and to Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission to become a county nature park.

The County will manage their tracts as a nature based park featuring low impact activities such as bird

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~tching, canoeing and environmental education. Tang Investment Associates retained 100 acres of the prop­erty and granted the Conservancy a perpetual conserva­tion easement over it. Additional funding for the project will be provided by a $1 million grant from the North American Wetlands Council.

"Completion of the Prospect Hill project represents a landmark victory for the ACE Basin initiative," said Charles Lane. Lane praised the work of the entire Task Force for their long-term accomplishments. The mem­bers of the Task Force include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The S.C. Department of Natural Resources, private landowners, Westvaco Corporation, Ducks Un­limited, Lowcountry Open Land Trust, Nemours Wildlife Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy. Together, the Task Force's members have conserved more than 130,000 acres of land in the ACE Basin. J!!!e

Refuge Inholding Acquired

O n April 28, 1999, The Nature Conservancy purchased a 43-acre tract located on Jehossee Island from W. E. Applegate and

Arthur H. Applegate of Charleston. The Conservancy

Camp Wildwood III - A Coastal Adventure

A lligators, loggerhead sea turtles and experi­ences to last a lifetime were encountered by a group of third year campers during Camp

Wildwood III this year. Camp was held from July 20-25 in the lowcountry with the campers staying at the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area and The Univer­sity of South Carolina's Pritchard's Island facility.

The agenda was packed with educational programs presented by biologists and stafffrom the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, Conservation Education and Communications Division, Law Enforcement Divi­sion and the Marine Resources Division along with staff from USC, South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tour-

The Prospect Hill Plantation house, an original sea island cotton plantation home, was designed by James Hoban in 1790 for Ephraim Baynard. Hoban also designed the White House.

will transfer the title to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Ser­vice for inclusion into the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. "The tract was the largest remaining in holding within the Refuge" said Donny Browning, Refuge Man­ager. The property consists of tidal brackish marsh, salt marsh and maritime forest. Browning stated "Acquisi­tion of this tract will enhance management and law enforcement activities for the refuge." $5

SCDNR Wildlife Biologist, Tom Murphy explains alligator anatomy to Camp Wildwood participants.

ism, and Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Commission. physiology activities. The campers left on Sunday with a Activities included canoeing the Edisto River, a trawl strong conservation message, powerful friendships, and aboard the Carolina Pride, a tracking demonstration by they were extremely exhausted! "Carolina Justice" (a DNR law enforcement K-9), Many thanks go out to the people who helped make alligators and sea turtles galore, tours of the Marine Camp Wildwood III '99 such a great success. Our Resources Center and the Donnelley WMA and fish appreciation is extended to Dean Harrigal, Cathy Bazzel,

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~ Jesse Drew, Jay DeLoach, Greg Hudson, Sally Murphy, Tom Murphy, Glenn Gardner, Gentry Thames, Kevin Kurtz, Lee Waldrep, Sara James, Pete Richards, David

,Long, Jimmy Warko, Novalis Mears, Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Commission Staff, USC Beaufort/Pritchard's Island Staff, and SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism Staff. For information on Camp Wildwood 2000, contact Steve Bates at (803)734-3885 or BeBe Harrison at (803 )737 -8483. $5:

S.E.E.D. Planted at Donnelley WMA

O n Friday, April 16, 1999, approximately 150 elementary students from Colleton County participated in S.E.E.D. (Student Environ-

mental Education Day) at Donnelley WMA in Green Pond. Despite the unseasonably cool temperatures, the students enjoyed their day of environmental education along the water at Donnelley.

The students and teachers visited several stations such as animal tracks, aquatic study, marine touch tank, alligators, water quality, and wildlife. The group got to see the diversity of the wildlife in their local environment

t as well as an overall picture of the South Carolina De­partment of Natural Resources.

Susan Linder and other volunteers with the Walterboro Kiwanis Club provided the students and staff with lunch after the session. The teachers that partici­pated were Carmen Bell, Sharon Brady, Debra Jones, Anna Chesser, Jane Prichard, all from Northside El­ementary, and Patricia Salley from Ivenia Brown El­ementary. "Everyone had a great time" said teacher Sharon Brady. "The whole event was very well-planned and organized. We would love to come back again next year."$5:

Research Reserve Receives High Marks

The Nati.onal Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis­trati~n (NOAA) recently issued final evaluation findll1gs for the ACE Basin National Estuarine

Research Reserve and found it to be operating success­fully and in compliance with programmatic obligations as defined in the Coastal Zone Management Act.

The evaluation found accomplishments in the areas of administration and management, staffing, education and interpretive programs, research and monitoring, ecological characterization, integration of research and education, land acquisition, facilities development, na­tional system participation, cooperative ventures, and reporting.

Periodic reviews of each Reserve designated in the National System are required by the Coastal Zone Man­agement Act and are an integral part of the federal/state management partnership. This evaluation of the ACE Basin NERR covered the period between December 1995 through November 1998. The evaluation team consisted of NOAA officials and a State representative from Chesapeake Bay - Maryland NERR. The team worked on-site reviewing the program, interviewing partners of the ACE Basin Project, program managers, financial officers and grants administrators, environmen­tal group representatives, civic groups, State agency officials, and others involved with the Reserve.

During the next review period, the NERR will con­centrate on getting dedicated funding for long-term support, revising the management plan to reflect current planning efforts, expanding environmental monitoring efforts, building facilities on-site for research and educa­tion, and land acquisition. '.

The NERR is built on a foundation of ongoing part­nerships among state, federal and community authorities. Throughout it history shared programs and decision­making made efficient use of limited staff and resources. The ACE Basin Reserve is charged with implementing long-term science programs to provide crucial informa­tion to the community on coastal ecosystems. By linking programs of stewardship, public education, and scientific information, the NERR serves as a model and catalyst for improving the health and vitality of coastal ecosys­tems.~

SCDNR Education Specialist Jack Hancock shows a king snake to a group of interested students at the Student Environmental Education Day held this spring at Donnelley WMA.

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Anheseur-Busch and the Wildlife Habitat Council Partner with the ACE Basin Task Force

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Larry Lipov of Pearlstine Distributors, Bill Howard of the Wildlife Habitat Council, and Brad McKeever of Anheseur-Busch, Inc. with Charles Lane, Chairman of the ACE Basin Task Force, at the check presentation for the ACE Basin Project. (photo courtesy of Blakeney photo)

A nheuser-Busch, Inc. and the Wildlife Habitat Council announced on May 5 a partnership to help conservation in the ACE Basin. The

partnership will include charitable donations - a portion of which will come from local sales of Natural Light and Natural Ice beer - to the ACE Basin Task Force, which is dedicated to maintaining the natural character of the Basin. In addition, an integrated marketing program featuring the tag line, "Keep it Natural Carolinas," will

Edisto Interpretive Center Could Promote

Sustainable Economic Development

run from May 1 through September 30, 1999. Funding from Anheuser-Busch will be used toward

design and construction of an ACE Basin Interpretive Center. The facility will provide an entry point for visitor management and interpretation of appropriate themes relating to ecosystem conservation and the role of com­patible land use including historic and present forest management activities. a

visitors, there are some segments that are more valuable than others.

According to Mike McKenzie, manager of the NERR, this study was part of a comprehensive needs assessment for development of an interpretive center at Edisto Beach State Park. The NERR (SCDNR) and SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism (PRT) have entered into a cooperative agreement to build a facility as part of the

A special NOAA-funded study conducted by the ACE Basin NERR's commitment to education. ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Re- "Results of the study echo many of the recommen-serve (NERR) concludes that there is a need to dations of the 1996 action agenda for compatible eco-

work with those local leaders and members of the busi- nomic development in the ACE Basin," he said. The ness community who are receptive to the concept of study concludes that the interpretive center can provide Nature-Based Tourism (NBT) and sustainable develop- an environment for educating the public about the area's ment to better understand: 1) the ACE Basin and its natural and cultural resources, as well as create a nexus natural and cultural significance; 2) how to create an for the development of commercial activities that interesting and inviting mix of visitor properties / prod- complement sustainable development. Educational ucts that invite cross-marketing initiatives that are highly programming and managed experiences made available targeted to a specific segment of the market; and 3) through this center will likely shape visitor's expectations NBT as a conduit for expanding local economies - not all for various experiences. The overall quality, depth and visitors are created equal, and even among nature-based variety of experiences will likely evolve to more closely

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f-align with the expectations of the highest-value sector of the nature-based tourism visitors, according to McKenzie.

~'\ Rob Achenburg, Edisto Beach State Park Superin-tendent, said that SCPR T is committed to working with the NERR in providing the public with both classroom and hands-on learning experiences so all users can better understand the significance and tenuous quality of fragile coastal resources. "We are confident," Achenburg said, "that by creating opportunities for indi­viduals to value the resource from a personal perspec­tive-to learn about it, enjoy its recreational qualities, and appreciate its contribution to their own quality of life-:- they are more likely to experience the resource in a responsible way and become lifelong advocates for its protection and conservation."

The study pointed out that NBT is among the stron­gest growth sectors of the tourism industry, estimated to be a $200 billion a year industry. Over 43 million travel­ers took a nature-related trip between 1995-1998. These same visitors are willing to spend more for quality "natu­ral" experiences than the average visitor. South Caro­lina ranks 12th in the US by trip destinations for outdoor recreation and attracts over 9.5 million visitors annually with outdoor opportunities.

The growth ofNBT within the broad tourism sector ;md South Carolina's relative strength as a nature-based destination indicate that:

• NBT as a market niche is growing, and there is no apparent evidence of demand slacking in the near future;

• Consumers within this segment are among the most desirable of any consumer market. They are in their peak income years, their income is well above average, they are educated and discriminat­ing in their choice of visit or experiences, and they are prepared to pay a premium for the offered product;

• A significant number of the nation's "soft adven­ture" travelers reside in the South. According to the study, the vitality of this market

niche, coupled with the quality and character of the ACE Basin's resources, and the underlying need for education and economic development, point to a development opportunity for SC and unquestionably for the ACE Basin. Other topics addressed in the study included current nature-based tourism products and a survey of providers and supporters, and gaps in visitor product mix. Anyone interested in more information on this study should contact the ACE Basin NERR at (843)762-5062.

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Public Lands in the ACE Basin

Bear Island WMA Hunting - Archery and gun hunts for deer; waterfowl

hunting by drawing; dove and small game hunts also

scheduled.'" Fishing - Fish and blue crabs can be harvested from

impoundments from April 1 to Sept. 30. Camping - Primitive facilities available for deer hunters

and conservation groups by appointment. General Public Use - Designated areas open for bird

watching, photography and wildlife observation from Jan. 21 through Oct. 31. Mon.-Sat.

Donnelley WMA Hunting - Archery and gun hunts (drawing only) for

deer; waterfowl and turkey hunts by drawing; dove

and small game hunts scheduled.'" General Public Use - Designated trails;

Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., closed on Sunday and

during special hunts. For more information on Bear Island WMA and

Donnelley WMA call (843) 844-8957.

ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve

Research - Support and facilities are provided for qualified scientists to study estuaries and coastal ecosystems.

Education - Education cruises, marsh classroom adven­tures, workshops and training sessions provided to organized groups.

General Public Use - Accessible by boat; primitive camping in specified areas; some restrictions.

For more Information call (843) 762-5400.

ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting - Archery, primitive weapons hunts for deer. Waterfowl hunts in designated areas.

General Public Use - Open for public use except during

scheduled hunts. For more information call (843) 889-3084.

Office hours - 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. ('" See SCDNR current Hunting and

Fishing Rules and Regulations)

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ACE Basin Mink Study

M ink are seldom seen tn the ACE Basin but are relatively abundant in the area especially in the tidal marshes ofthe St. Helena Sound.

In these marshes the animals survive by foraging on fish, crabs and other crustaceans and occasionally taking a clapper rail (marsh hen). Young are birthed in the marsh and reared by the mother on high shell rakes and floating tide racks.

Mink are most often seen by marsh hen hunters and red drum fisherman who venture into the marsh during high spring tides. At these times the mink are forced o"nto shell rakes and tide racks as the tides cover Spartina marsh.

Taking advantage of these sightings wildlife biologist Buddy Baker has been systematically surveying the ACE Basin and other coastal areas to determine the distribution and relative abundance of mink along the South Carolina coast. The surveys are conducted during spring tides at night using hand held spotlights to locate the mink from the reflections of their eyes. Baker has found mink present south of Charleston to Hilton Head but few have been seen from Charleston north. The largest concentrations appear to be in the ACE Basin in the St. Helena Sound and North Edisto estuaries.

Clemson graduate student Jason Peeples is working with Baker to perfect capture techniques that will allow researchers to relocate mink from the lower coast to places like the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, which has excellent habitat but practically no mink. Cast nets and dip nets have been used to successfully capture mink this summer. The researchers plan to use radio transmitters to help track mink reintroduced to other areas. J!!!!

SCDNR wildlife biologist Dean Harrigal with theftrst mink captured for reintroduction to the Cape Romain Area.

Wiggers Named Director of Nemours Foundation

Dr. Ernie P. Wiggers assumed on Jan. 1, 1999, the position of executive director of the Nemours Plantation Wildlife Foundation, estab­

lished by the late Eugene du Pont III to promote sound land stewardship and wildlife conservation.

The Foundation has both a research and educational mission, according to Wiggers, and seeks to partner with universities, state, federal, and private organizations to conduct research that enhances the ability to manage, conserve, restore and enhance wildlife populations and their habitats. Through educational programs the Foun­dation wants to extend this knowledge to other landown­ers so they can become more informed land stewards.

"Though education," Wiggers said, "we hope to instill in all citizens, but especially our youth, an apprecia­tion for our natural resources and the importance of conserving these resources for future generations. Al­ready we have begun cooperative projects with several universities on research projects as diverse as the resto­ration offox squirrel populations on barrier islands, studying the salinity tolerance of the invasive Chinese tallow tree, and the possible impacts of the red imported fire ant on bobwhite quail, amphibians and reptiles. We are also conducting studies on songbird use of hardwood corridors, and avian use of managed wetlands."

Eddie Mills, who holds a master of science degree in wildlife biology from the University of Georgia, has been hired as a biologist to assist in the Foundation's research and educational program.

Wiggers grew up on a small farm in Newberry County. He and his wife, Hope, have two children. He received his bachelor's degree in 1975 and master's degree in 1979 in wildlife biology from Clemson Univer­sity and a doctorate in 1983 from Texas Tech Univer­sity. He began his professional career at the University of Missouri, where he served as an associate professor and program leader of the Fisheries and Wildlife Pro­gram untiljoiningthe Nemours Foundation in January.

While at the University of Missouri, Wiggers con­ducted research on a broad range of topics including white-tailed deer, bobwhite quai I, Neo-tropical migrant songbirds, raccoons and birds of prey. His research focused on investigating the habitat requirements of wildlife and applying this knowledge to improve the ability to manage and conserve their habitats. He also taught undergraduate and graduate courses in topics such as range and forest management for wildlife, wild­I ife research and management techniques, and wi Idlife habitat modeling. ~

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Dr. Ernie Wiggers (left) and biologist Eddie Mills staff the Nemours Plantation Wildlife Foundation.

During the past six months Wiggers has attempted to meet with as many different people and organizations as possible who have common interests in natural resources conservation. "I have particularly enjoyed my interac­tions with the members of the ACE Basin Task Force Committee and marvel at what they have accomplished in 10 years toward conserving the natural resources in the ACE watershed," he said. "I want the research and educational efforts we do at the Nemours Wildlife Foun­dation to compliment the activities of the Task Force and ,enhance our ability to conserve the natural treasures of ';I, -.. me ACE Basin. ~

PAGIS in the ACE

T ne Protected Area Geographic Information Sys­tem (PAGIS) project is bringing the most efficient and useful ways to store and retrieve spatial

information to the ACE Basin NERR. The NOAA funded project provides the Reserve with the hardware and software necessary to fully utilize geographic infor­mation systems (GIS), as well as GIS training of staff members through the Coastal Services Center.

Initial data sets are being developed for each of the 23 sites within the national system. When complete, this national data storage and retrieval system will benefit the PAGIS recipients and enable NOAA the means to compile national resource management statistics and detect and monitor environmental trends. The project in the ACE Basin will produce imagery-based map prod­ucts and digital site boundaries, refine ways to incorpo­rate GIS into site monitoring activities, integrate the Global Positioning System with GIS, and develop a ,benthic habitat mapping process. Management issues addressed by P AGIS include site characterization, land use, water quality, endangered / threatened resources, permits and environmental sensitivity.:Fe

Painted Bunting Study

B ear Island Wildlife Management Area and the Edisto Unit of the ACE basin National Wildlife Refuge are serving as banding stations for an

intensive 5 year population study of painted buntings along the South Atlantic Coastal Plain. Banding stations have been established from northern Florida to southern North Carolina. The goal of the study is to determine annual survival by age and sex using capture/mark! recapture and sightings of uniquely color banded birds at study areas in 6 states. Dr. Paul Sykes of the United States Geological Service is the principal researcher.

Painted buntings are Neo-tropcial migrants which spend the winters in the Caribbean Islands and Central America and then return to the United States mainland to breed in the late spring and early summer. They depend on early successional habitat and are found breeding primarily in upland maritime shrub-scrub habi­tats of the South Atlantic Coastal Plain.

The painted bunting population has been declining at approximately 2.8%-3.5% annually since 1966 based upon Breeding Bird Survey data. The cause or causes of this decline are not known but may be associated with fragmentation of eastern forest habitat, loss or significant alteration of breeding habitat, increased brood parasitism by brown headed cowbirds, problem(s) on the wintering grounds (i.e. habitat loss, environmental contaminants, or trapping for cage birds), during migration or other fac­tors.

Results of this study will attempt to determine if the problem causing the decline is on the breeding grounds or elsewhere and complement other research in progress. The research will also point to topics in need of investigation and determine if work is required on the wintering grounds. _~

Clemson student interns Will Carlisle (center), and Beth Cuizio (right) observe as Dr. Paul Sykes removes a brown headed cowbird/rom the mist nets at Bear Island WMA.

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Conservation Sites Public Sites

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area (est. 1953) Springfield Marsh (1987), Sampson Island (1988), Cut MaIsh ([989)

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area (1992) ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge

Bonny Hall Club (1990), Grove Plantation ([99[), Bonny Hall Plantation (1992). Combahee Fields (1993). lehossee Island ([993), Auldbrass Tract (1995)

ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Warren Island ([988). Big Is[and ([988), Ashe Is[and ([989), Beet Is[and ([989), Otter Is[and (1993), SOllth Williman Island ([994)

Edisto Beach State Park (est. 1936) Hunting Island State Park (est. 1938) Sub-total

Private Sites Conservation Easements (37)

Botany Bay Island (1987), Hope Plantation ([ 988). Will town BllIff Plantation (1990), Church Tract (1990), Cheeha-Combahee Plantation ([ 991). Richardson Tract (1992), Godfrey Tract ([99[), McMillian Tract ([991). Pan Pan Plantation (1992). Ashepoo Pl an tation ([993). Fenwick Island (1993), Combahee Plantation (1994), Musselboro Island (1994), Oak Island (1994), Little Palmetto Island (1994), Prospect Hill (1995), Rose Hill (1995). Plum Hill (1995), Auldbrass Plantation (1995), Parker's Ferry Planation (1995), Tomotley Planation (1995), Auldbrass Club (1995). Ivanhoe (1996), Shell Point (1996), Lavington Plantation (1996), Raccoon Island (1996), South Fenwick (1996), Bolders Island (1997), Paul and Dalton (1997), Great Swamp (1998), Prescott Plantation (1998), lehossee Farms (1998), Airy Hall Plantation (1998), Siann Island Plantation (1998), Tilt Tract (1998), McCollum Tract (1998), Chapel HiJl LLC. (1999)

Deed Restrictions Hannahan Tract (1993)

Organization Ownership Nemours Planation Wildlife Foundation (1995), Bailey Island (1997), Prospect HiJl (1999), Jehossee Island Tract (1999)

Management Agreements Westvaco ([991)

Other Botany Bay Plantation, Siann Island (1996)

Sub-total

TOTAL

S.C. Department of Natural Resources Dr. Paul A. Sandifer. Executive Director John E. Frampton, ACE Basin Task Force

ACE Basin Committee Mike McKenzie, Committee Chairman Dean Harrigal, Project Coordinator, Wildlife

Managemenl David Allen - Freshwater Fisheries Section Michelle Dyer - Land Resources SaJly MUJphy - Wildlife Diversity Section Joe Hamilton - Ducks Unlimited (\ll!.~)

Graphic Design Karen Swanson - Marine Resources Division Editors Dean Harrigal and Greg Lucas

Funding provided by the Harry R.E. Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc.

Ducks Unlimited

Westvaco

The"~ Nature~ conservancy

-ACEBasinCurrentEvents r-=

Privata Landowners

Nemours

Wildlife

Foundation

South Carolina DepartmentofNatural Resources 585 Donnelley Drive Green Pond, S.c. 29446

Acres 12,055

8,048 11,019

10,218

1,255 5,000

47,595

49,921

33

11,762

17,912

5,892

85,520

133,441

l.~ Printed On Recycled Paper

Total Cost - $1.305.95; Total Copies - 5.000; Cost per Copy - 26¢

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disability, religion or age. Direct all inquiries to the Office of Human Resources, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, S.C. 29202.

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