HOBCAW BARONY The Belle W. Baruch Foundation Between the Waters

B o a r d o f Volume XIII, Issue 1 Spring 2012

T r u s t e e s

Minor Mickel Shaw Rising Tide: Chairman

Edwin H. Cooper, III Vice Chairman Sea Level Rise Research at

Albert Baruch Mercer, MD Secretary North Inlet Has Global Reach

Hayne Hipp Treasurer n 1984 Dr. James Morris was an since 1984. While it is more common in assistant professor at the University of research to have data sets with only 3-5 years Hugh C. Lane, Jr. studying how the worth of data, his productivity measurements chemistry of sediments in the salt marsh are the longest data set of their kind in the Benedict Rosen Iaffects the productivity of plant life. He was world, and they are being used around the testing the theory that too much sulfide, the globe in models regarding forecasts and Dale Rosengarten, PhD rotten egg smelling chemical in the marsh coastal impacts of sea level rise. Benjamin T. Zeigler produced by the marsh grasses, resulted in a decline in plant productivity. What he If sea level rise contributes to the productivity of discovered was a great variability in the density the cordgrass, then why are rising sea levels a and productivity of the plants. The plots of problem? In 1996 Morris began to measure Inside this cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, where the elevation, the surface of the marsh, to I s s u e : sulfide had been neutralized should have been determine if marsh elevation was keeping up with sea level rise. He found that thicker taller, but they weren’t. There was clearly cordgrasses were capable of trapping more something else affecting their productivity. Sea Level Rise 1 sediment which resulted in higher marsh

Research elevations. There is an optimum relationship Over the next three years, Dr. Morris continued Executive Director 2 between marsh productivity and relative sea Notes to search for the cause of the variation in level. Provided that the rate of sea level rise is growth. He examined rainfall, temperature and low and the marsh elevation maintains its pace, Hobcaw 3 countless other factors to no avail. Morris was then a modest acceleration in sea level will Happenings at a dead end when he just happened to be increase plant productivity. However, if the sea Donors 4 discussing the problem with an oceanographer level starts to increase more rapidly, then the elevation will fall and the cordgrass will SCETV Opening 5 colleague who suggested he examine the Night variations in sea level. The correlation eventually drown. (Continued on page 2) between sea level and plant productivity was New Program: 5 phenomenal. Birds of Prey

This newsletter made “I stumbled onto the sea level rise research,” possible by: says Morris. “Sometimes you are following a road and you reach a fork that leads you down a different and unknown road.”

Dr. Morris is currently the Director at the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences of the University of South Carolina where he has become a world renowned researcher in coastal wetland ecology. He Wendy Allen has collected data at Hobcaw on Spartina Above: A view of North Inlet from Hobcaw Barony. P a g e 2

Executive Director Notes from George Chastain

plantation, just as ours will be in primary investigator. In a few cases, n this issue’s lead article, Dr. future years. projects continue even after the James Morris alludes to the primary investigator has retired or value of long-term One of the unique features of our moved on to other opportunities. environmental monitoring to his research program at Hobcaw Iresearch program. As a forester, I Barony is the opportunity to conduct With the current change in land understand the necessity to have a long-term projects. Trends may take ownership patterns, sites for long- long range perspective. The actions years to emerge in nature while term research projects are becoming we take today as natural resources plants mature and animals react to increasingly rare on the coast of managers will influence the ecology their changing landscape. The ability South Carolina. For nearly forty- of the lands we manage for decades to monitor research projects over seven years Hobcaw Barony has to come. In many ways, the ecology decades can be critical for success. filled this role, a role that will only of Hobcaw Barony is still shaped While the duration of most research become more important in the today by the decisions of the projects at Hobcaw Barony is fewer decades to come. eighteenth and nineteenth century than two years, some projects have rice planters. The result of their work spanned the entire career of the is still evident throughout the

(Continued from page 1) variability in future sea level rise between different locations. Some locations could experience sea level rise higher than the global “The stage is set for some average projection, while others could have a interesting changes in this century.” fall in sea level. The factors that cause sea level to rise more rapidly along the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and less rapidly in parts of the Pacific Northwest, are likely to continue. Salt marshes are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world. According It is easy to become overwhelmed by the reality to South Carolina’s Department of Natural of rising sea level and wonder what we can do, Resources, they provide nursery areas for but Morris advises that the best way to prepare fishes, shellfish, and crustaceans and are is to plan for the inevitable. He recommends important feeding grounds and habitat for a that first we find and implement, in a meaningful Dr. James T. Morris (pictured above) is variety of animals. Cordgrasses have extensive way, substitutes for fossil fuels. He asks, “Are the Director of the Belle W. Baruch root systems which enable them to withstand our political systems set up for making Institute for Marine and Coastal brief storm surges thus buffering the impact on sacrifices today to prepare for our Sciences, Professor of Biological upland areas. Salt marshes also act as filters. grandchildren’s future tomorrow?” Morris also Sciences, Distinguished Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Tidal creeks meander through the marshes suggests that we need an organized retreat South Carolina, and an American transporting valuable nutrients as well as from the coast through zoning and insurance Association for the Advancement of pollutants from upland development. Salt regulations; as marshes migrate inland, we Science Fellow. He served as a marshes can absorb, or trap, some of these need to leave room for that to occur. Program Officer at the National Science pollutants in order to reduce the pollutant load Foundation from 2003-2005 and was a Morris acknowledges that we cannot abandon entering estuaries. visiting professor at Aarhus University, our major coastal cities such as New York, Denmark in 1990. His academic background includes degrees in According to Morris, if the current rate of sea Washington, or even Charleston and that they environmental sciences, (BA, Univ. level rise is constant, then the impact on the will need sea walls to be constructed around Virginia), biology (MA, Yale) and marsh will be favorable. However, the issue is them. Scientists have developed sea walls that forestry and environmental studies that sea level rise is accelerating. The operate like a reef where the surfaces are rough (PhD, Yale). Morris has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control rather than smooth allowing animals to anchor is regarded as an expert on the effects (IPCC) forecasts between 7.2 and 23.6 inches to them. Thus, there are opportunities to of sea level rise on coastal wetlands. of sea level rise by 2100 which did not include engineer solutions that have benefits. current knowledge of melting ice. Therefore, “The stage is set for some interesting changes the next IPCC forecast of sea level rise will be in this century,” says Morris. How we prepare significantly higher. for that today will determine the impact on the According to the IPCC, current model generation that follows. projections indicate there will be substantial

Between the Waters HOBCAW Happenings Register by calling 843-546-4623 (unless otherwise specified) or email us at [email protected]. Additional activities offered by the North Inlet-Winyah Bay Estuarine Research Reserve www.northinlet.sc.edu

Hobcaw Barony Tour Feeding Frenzy Tuesday thru Friday (except certain holidays) Friday, April 13th 2:30pm—3:15pm $20 per person 9:30am—12:30pm Free A 3-hour tour highlights Hobcaw House, Bellefield Plantation, Join us to see what’s in the tanks and what they eat. This Friendfield Village and various habitats of the property. program allows participants to see our 1200 gallon aquarium with Reservations are urged and may be made well in advance. several species of fish, our saltwater touch tank and a freshwater aquarium with an alligator. Birding on the Barony Third Saturday of each month 8:00am—1:00pm Are You Firewise? $25 per person Monday, April 23 6:00pm—7:30pm Explore Hobcaw’s woods and waters in search of migrating song Free birds and endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers. Participants Hear firsthand experiences from South Carolina Wildland visit longleaf pine forest, abandoned ricefields and scenic salt firefighters who were at the Lewis Ocean Bay Fire in Horry County marshes. Long pants, snacks, water and binoculars are on April 22, 2009. Leave better informed on the ways in which a suggested. To register contact Georgetown County Parks and community can better prepare for wildfire season. Recreation at 843-545-3319. Wild Wednesdays Photo Safari $5 per child 3:00pm—4:30pm Monday, March 19th & Tuesday, April 3rd 6:00am—10:00am Adult must accompany children $50 per person Targeted to children ages 5 through 10, but all ages are welcome. Spend an early morning with master naturalist and local nature Each program begins with an informal discussion and hands-on photographer, Donald Withers, for an exciting day on our 17,500 activities are part of the experience. Each child will make a craft acre property photographing beautiful woodlands, marsh and the pertaining to the lesson. potential of a variety of wildlife species. Whether professional or April 11—Snakes, Gators, Skins & Skulls novice, please join us for this amazing and unforgettable June 13—What Lies Beneath: Ponds and What’s in Them experience. Payment is due the week before, and the group will June 20—No Place Like Home: Animal Habitats leave promptly at 6:00am on the day of the program. June 27—What’s Bugging You? July 3 (Tue) – Aggie Alligator’s 4th Birthday Party Wildlife Landscaping July 11—Let’s Talk Turtle Thurs., March 29th & Tues., April 10th 10:00am—12:00pm July 18– Snakes, Gators, Skins & Skulls $15 per person July 25– Finz: Sharks, Dolphins, and Other Fish As human development and population increase, wildlife depend August 1– Skeletal Remains: The Inside Scoop on Owl Pellets on us more than ever before. Learn how to provide wildlife with much needed food, water, cover and a place for their young right True Blue, An Indigo Workshop in your own backyard. We’ll also demonstrate composting and Saturday, May 19th 10:00am—5:00pm rain barrels and explain uses of each. Learn how to certify your $50 per person backyard as a Backyard Habitat through the National Wildlife Join us for a program led by Dr. Karen Hall which highlights the Federation. The program price includes an outdoor craft to take history, botany and art of indigo. This is a hands on workshop home for the garden. and participants will create their own functional art using the dye. All ages can participate. Lunch is provided.

Catch Me If You Can: Featuring Live Birds of Prey Summer Nature Camp Saturday, April 7th & Friday, July 6th 2:00pm—4:00pm June 6,7,8 June 27, 28, 29 $10 per person June 13,14, 15 July 11, 12, 13 Take a close look at the animals of the forest who all have specific June 20, 21, 22 adaptations that allow them to live, feed and reproduce in their $65 per child per camp 9:00am—12:00pm environments. Join us as we compare predator vs. prey, get up Each 3-day nature camp is open to rising second through fifth close and personal with some of our very own Hobcaw resident graders. Campers will explore different environments where predators and end up with an exciting presentation by the Center activities, games and animals are used to teach the importance of for Birds of Prey staff and their live birds of prey. each ecological setting. Habitats covered will include the pond, forest and salt marsh.

Contributors

Donors

Volunteers The Bunnelle Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Arroyo Mr. & Mrs.Tommy Graham Mr. & Mrs. William Raley

Annette Arroyo Hayne Hipp Foundation Ms. Marguerite Assey Mr. & Mrs. Jim Grayson Ms. Anne Ratliff

Sharon Corey Resource Management Service, LLC Ms. Margaret Balcer Dr. William Griffin Mr. & Mrs. Paul Reid Lane Crosby Ms. Patricia Glenn Mr. & Mrs. Stephens Baldwin Ms. Myra Hager Mr. & Mrs. Dick Riley Sue Daragan Mr. Joseph Heckelman Mr. Emerson Bell Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hanley Ms. Elizabeth Robeson Debra & Jack Dempsey Mr. Mark Hess Mrs. Virginia Bentley Mr. & Mrs. Clinch Heyward Mr. & Mrs. Ron Schenk Marcia Dunn

Anne Floyd Mr. Robert Klumpp Mr. & Mrs. James Black Mr.& Mrs. Pat Hill Mr. & Mrs. Tony Shank

Mary Emma Foster Mr. Eliot S. Knight Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Blount Ms. Diane Hines Mrs. Janet Shaw Carol Gomolski Mr. Richard E. Mancill Mr. & Mrs. Tate Bowers Dr. Sandra Hood Col. & Mrs. Francis Siau Bill Griffin, Jr. Mills B. Lane Foundation Mr. & Mrs. John Bracken Ms. June Hora Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Siegrist Bill Hanley Olan Mills, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Braswell Mr. & Mrs. William Hoyle Mr. H. McRoy Skipper Ginny Hayes

Mary Hewson Barbara Osguthorpe Ms. Katherine Breiter Mr. & Mrs. Julian Hunt Mr. & Mrs. Harry Slifer

Sue Hess South Carolina Humanities Council Ms. Lee Gordon Brockington Mr.& Mrs. Doug James Mr. & Mrs. William Starnes Mary Holman Mr. Leon Wagnon, III Ms. Melaine Campbell Dr. and Mrs. Webster Jones Mr. & Mrs. David Stradinger Sandra Hood USI Payroll Mr. & Mrs. George Chastain Mr. John Kester Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Tamsberg Bill Hoyle Dr. & Mrs. William Cobb Mr. John Knapik Mr. & Mrs. Barry Teague Avis Hutchinson Baruch Society Phyllis Jividen Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Crosby Mr. & Mrs. Grant Kuhn Mr. & Mrs. John Thomas

Bonnie Linado Dr. & Mrs. John J. Britton Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Davis Mr. & Mrs. John LeMaster Mr. & Mrs. Jack Towell Barbara MacDonald Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Cooper Dr. & Mrs. Paul DuBois Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Lemon Ms. Wendy Trott Gloria Mattox Mr. & Mrs. George Geer Mrs. Marcia Dunn Mrs. Barbara MacDonald Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Van Dillen Jan & Mac McGinty Mr. & Mrs. George Durant Mr. & Mrs. Frances Martin Ms. Louisa Waltrous Ginger McNeill Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Lane

Molly McNeill Mr. Richard Mancill Dr. & Mrs. Paul F.Edinger Mr. & Mrs. Herbert McClary Ms. Faith Williams

Celeste Mellas Mr. & Mrs. J.C. McGinty Mr. & Mrs. Duncan McIntyre Mr. & Mrs. Robert Williamson Mr. & Mrs. Frank Ellerbe Kay Nance Mr. & Mrs. Jay Mills Mrs. Ginger McNeill Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wolfe Ms. Sandy Elliott Marcia Nellos Dr. Sally Self Mr. & Mrs. Christ Mellas Mr. Harold Wyatt Kathy & Bill Raley Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ellis Dr. & Mrs. Hal Shaw Mr. Frank Merlina Sandy & Ron Revere Ms. Teresa Elvington In-Kind Donors Sheila Rogers Mr. Jerome A. Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Minkler Mr & Mrs. Stan Fabian Mr. & Mrs. John J. Dempsey Anita & Bob Schuhmacher Mr. & Mrs. Donald Withers Ms. Suzanne Myers Mr. Richard Field Janet Shaw Mrs. Marcia Dunn Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Zeigler Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Nance Mr. & Mrs. Jim Finch Bill Shehan Mr. Richard E. Mancill Ms. Marcia Nellos Becky Sparrow Friends of Hobcaw Ms. Donna Fiocca Mr. & Mrs. J.C. McGinty Mr. & Mrs. Robert Nichols Gayle Spencer Ms. Reenee Flowers Mr. & Mrs. John Adams Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Nance Julie Warren Mrs. Karen Olson Mr. & Mrs. Albert Ford Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Allen Ms. Madeline Singer Maryann & Bob Williamson Ms. Irene Overall Mr. & Mrs.Jack Allen Ms. Sharon Gascon Joan & Donald Withers Mr. & Mrs. Albert T. Quantz Mr. & Mrs. Arthur George Margie & Bob Wolfe Mr. & Mrs. Linwood Altman Ms. Alberta Quattlebaum Mr. & Mrs. John Aragona Mr. & Mrs. John Gomolski

We are grateful to the support that we receive from our volunteers and contributors. Your support allows us to grow. We in turn give back to the community by way of new and expanded programs, opportunities to experience nature, and the beauty of Hobcaw Barony. To learn more contact us: 843-546-4623 or hobcawbarony.org

Between the Waters Volume XIII, Issue 1 P a g e 5 Opening Night The Baruchs of Hobcaw On November 9, SCETV, The Belle W. Baruch Foundation and South Carolina Humanities Council hosted the premiere for the Sue Darragan documentary film The Baruchs of Hobcaw at Coastal Carolina University’s Waccamaw Higher Education Center. Opening remarks were provided by Dr. DeCenzo, President of Coastal Carolina University. The film aired on SCETV on the show Carolina Stories. To purchase a DVD, visit etvstore.org

Photos clockwise from top: Lee Brockington, a senior interpreter from The Belle W. Baruch Foundation, offered remarks to the audience. Seated, front row from left is June Chandler Sue Darragan Sue Darragan Hora; Betsy Newman, director and producer for the film; Kerry Feduk, vice president of ETV broadcast content; Ayala Asherov-Kalus, composer of the film’s score; her husband Rahm Kalus; George Chastain, foundation executive director; Dr. J.J. Brittain, trustee emeritus; and Heather Bauer, actor who portrayed Belle Baruch in the film. Also present, but not pictured is foundation trustee Ben Ziegler.

Photo bottom: Among the Friends of Hobcaw and 200 invited guests who came to the film’s premiere were ’s great-great nephew, Nathaniel Mercer (standing from left); his mother Robin Mercer and wife of trustee Dr. Albert Baruch Mercer; George Chastain, executive director of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation; and Beth Stedman, coordinator of Women’s Initiatives and Community Engagement at Coastal Carolina University.

Photo above left: Mary Miller (left), Belle Baruch’s biographer and author of The Baroness of Hobcaw, as well as a featured scholar in the film, joins her friend, Dee D’Aiello, of Surfside Beach, and Dwight McInvaill, director of Georgetown County Library System. Mr. McInvaill received a grant for the Georgetown County Digital Library which provided assistance to SCETV with digitized images of the foundation’s treasured historic photo collection used in the film.

Birds of Prey Catch Some Attention

new program that was leisurely stroll down to the open- facility and offer on-site and introduced last fall is air, screened pavilion by the pond outreach education programs. Catch Me If You Can: finds the group face-to-face with The program is offered on April 7 Featuring Live Birds of some of the most beautiful native and July 6 for $10. Make a A live birds of prey South Carolina Prey. It is quickly becoming a favorite because of the opportunity has to offer including, but not to learn about some of the native limited to, a Peregrine Falcon, a animals in South Carolina and their Black Vulture, a Barred Owl and a different adaptations that allow them Barn Owl. to survive in their specific habitats. This program is unique because There are two parts to the two hour staff members from The Center for program. The first part takes place Birds of Prey located in Awendaw, in the Discovery Center classroom South Carolina bring several of where participants get up close and their live specimens to Hobcaw personal with onsite predators Barony where they show off each including a 2 ½ foot long American bird’s distinctive colorations, alligator and an Eastern Kingsnake. patterns and unique qualities as Predators and prey of all shapes and they fly and walk around the room. sizes including bear, coyote, deer, The Center for Birds of Prey is an bobcat, ants and even carnivorous Trista Hindman Avian Conservation Center with an plants, such as the Venus Fly Trap, Above: A Barn Owl shows off his on-site medical clinic for injured are discussed and videos aid in wing span at the wild birds of birds of prey and some shorebird observing their behavior. A short, prey program. species. They are a research

HOBCAW BARONY Non-Profit The Belle W. Baruch Foundation U.S. Postage Paid 22 Hobcaw Road Georgetown, SC Georgetown, SC 29440 29440 Permit #303

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Discover Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center | 9am—5pm Monday—Friday Tours | 9:30am—12:30pm Tuesday—Friday. Reservations—843-546-4623 On the Web | www.hobcawbarony.org Facebook | Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center

The Belle W. Baruch Foundation Mission To conserve Hobcaw Barony’s unique natural and cultural resources for research and education.

SHOP HOBCAW

The Art of Dennis Cordeiro Dennis Cordeiro is a local Pawleys Island artist whose work continues to grow in popularity. Some of his artwork can be seen at the Hobcaw Barony gift shop. He creates copper fish (flounder, trout, spot tail), turtles and the symbol of South Carolina, the palmetto and crescent moon, with hand finishes for a beautiful patina. The small turtles are $12, the palmetto and crescent moon are $25, and his fish which measure 12” to 13” are $80.