U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

South Carolina Lowcountry Refuges Complex Life in the Wild October 2014 News from Cape Romain, Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin, Santee and Waccamaw National Volume 7 Wildlife Refuges

Bulls Bay Nature Festival Celebrates Nature and Community The annual Bulls Bay Nature Festival – From the Forest to the Sea, brings the people of the Sewee to Santee area together for a day to celebrate and connect with nature and community. On May 17, 2014, federal, state, local agencies and organizations, town municipalities, schools, Lincoln Middle-High School kicks off the festival with the steel drums, credit Olga businesses, and local Caballero. musicians and artists The community festival offers something tours to the ancient Sewee Native joined forces for a second for everyone. This year, there were kayak American shell ring and the antebellum year to encourage people trips into the salt marsh estuary and Hampton Plantation mansion. black water creeks of Cape Romain and of all ages to get outside Francis Marion wilderness areas, and Especially for the kids, there were paddle boarding in the freshwater ponds fishing workshops, salt marsh and pond and enjoy nature-based at Bishop Jerdan. explorations, archery and nature art. activities in this festive Toddlers with parents sported brightly With binoculars and field guides in hand, painted faces and creatively crafted turtle one-day event. A diverse people accompanied their guides onto hats and red wolf masks. the refuge and into the forest to spot array of activities took birds, butterflies and discover spring Each year, National Honor art students place at Cape Romain wildflowers. from Lincoln Middle-High School showcase their artwork in the festival’s National Wildlife Refuge, The “zing” of fishing lines was heard wildlife art exposition and students in throughout the day as kids and their grades 4-12 from the community schools Francis Marion National families dropped their bait into the Sewee show their creativity and talents in the Forest, Camp Sewee Pond to catch catfish and, there was the annual wildlife art contest. Winners of “virtual” casting for blue marlin in the the contest will see their work displayed Marine Science Center, SC Department of Natural Resources in a 2015 wildlife art calendar which Hampton Plantation simulator van. will be for purchase in the Bulls Bay community. All proceeds from the sale of State Park, Bishop Jerdan Live raptor, reptile and red wolf the calendars benefit the art programs in presentations captivated the festival the schools. Conference Center, and goers throughout the day at the Sewee the Sewee Visitor and Center. continued on page 2 Environmental Education Other activities highlighting the cultural heritage of the community included a Center. sweet grass basketry workshop, and 1 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Bulls Bay Nature Highs Across the Low Festival Celebrates A “Shout-Out” to Complex Nature and Community Refuges Volunteers! Over continued from page 1 a 12-month period, 437 Musical entertainment was provided volunteers contributed 31,135 throughout the day by local musicians. hours of service in support of The Lincoln Middle-High School Steel Band opened the venue with their our refuge missions. Volunteers incredible percussions. Rut Leland and assisted in wildlife and habitat Friends played foot-tapping bluegrass on stringed instruments, the crowd “pop- projects and programs; staffed rocked” with the Graham Crolley Band visitor centers; constructed and and, the Awendaw Community Singers brought spirits alive with southern cleared habitat gardens, trails gospel. and boardwalks; maintained Rudy Mancke, South Carolina’s refuge facilities and equipment; Celebrated Naturalist, closed the festival and lead interpretive and with his keynote program “It’s All About Connections”, his intriguing presentation education activities for all ages. fitting for the mission of the festival. This In sum, volunteers worked in year, approximately 500 people came out to enjoy nature and each other. Sixty-five Catching catfish in Sewee Pond, credit Kathy Greider. all areas of refuge operations. volunteers freely gave their time, making The work that volunteers so significant contributions to the festival’s Natural Resources, SEWEE Association, generously gave equates to success. Sewee Outpost, Town of Awendaw and the Town of McClellanville. 15 full-time employees. We DOI Secretary Sally Jewell visits Cape Romain NWR in November, credit USFWS. The Bulls Bay Nature Festival is an event free of charge, this year made possible The 3rd annual Bulls Bay Nature couldn’t do it without you! by the generous support of 15 festival Festival – From the Forest to the Sea Secretary Sally Jewell visited with the possibility of looking into the partners and 23 sponsors. Festival will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Cape Romain NWR, the Sewee acquisition and protection of the property. partners included the Avian Conservation Activities slated for 2015 will include Center, Awendaw Green, Bishop Jerdan zip-lining in the Francis Marion NF and Visitor Center, and Bulls Island on Fort Watson Road, the primary Conference Center, Camp Sewee Marine a photography workshop held at the November 20th. This was her first public entrance road and gateway Science Center, Cape Romain National Sewee Center. Dr. Richard Porcher will trip to a South Carolina wildlife to the Santee NWR, received much Wildlife Refuge, Coastal Expeditions, deliver the festival Keynote. Dr. Porcher refuge since becoming Interior needed improvements, particularly in Clemson Cooperative Extension, Francis is a noted field biologist and former Secretary. enhancement and safety. Renovations Marion National Forest, Hampton professor of biology at The Citadel included new paving of the Wright’s Bluff Plantation State Historic Site, Nature and, an adjunct professor of biology at She toured the refuge and also met with Nature Trail parking area and entrance Adventures Outfitters, SC Department of Clemson University. He is the founder Dr. Richard Porcher holds flower of the public at a community meeting. security gate. With the improved road, of the Citadel carnivorous Hooded pitcher-plant, credit Secretary Jewell’s visit was to heighten clean area, security, and new parking, Herbarium and Kathy Greider. awareness about the significance of refuge visitors can experience a greater established the funding for outstanding natural areas sense of safety while enjoying the refuge. Wade T. Batson A Guide to the Wildflowers of South across the country, and she promoted Endowment in Carolina and The Story of Sea Island full funding for the Land and Water Waccamaw NWR was awarded Field Botany Cotton. A native of Berkeley County, SC, Conservation Fund (LCWF). a $50,000 grant from the South at Clemson Dr. Porcher received his MS and PhD Carolina Department of Parks, University to in biology from the University of South For 2014, both Cape and Waccamaw Recreation, & Tourism. assist students Carolina. refuges received over four million in studies of Funding is being used to construct a new The mission of the Bulls Bay Nature dollars combined for land South Carolina’s acquisitions through the collaborative parking area and trailhead, replace a plant ecology. Festival - From the Forest to the Sea is to boardwalk and fishing pier, and clear a He authored increase awareness, promote engagement LWCF. new one-mile trail loop around a lake on and foster lasting connections with our Wildflowers of Following threatened and endangered a 260-acre addition known as the Long the Carolina unique natural places and wildlife in the Tract at Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area Bulls Bay community species research on the Santee Refuge, Lowcountry and biologists found that one of the South (CFRA). Several partnerships including the Lower Pee Dee To keep abreast of the upcoming 2015 Carolina populations of Canby’s Keep Horry County Beautiful, Waste and co-authored nature festival, visit dropwort (Oxypolis canbyi), a federally Management, and clubs and organizations Lowcountry: Huger McClellan, SCDNR officer, helps from Coastal Carolina University are www.bullsbaynaturefestival.org or this young archer draw a bead on the endangered plant, is on a site very close The Natural to the refuge. Biologists are studying working with refuge staff on the project. Kids discover some of the small creatures in the pond, credit Jean www.facebook.com/ bull’s-eye at the Nature Festival, credit Landscape, the distribution and ecology of the plant Sullivan. bullsbaynaturefestival. Olga Caballero. continued on page 4 2 3 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Taking Control of the Common Reed The ACE Basin has been plagued with the exotic invasive grass Common Reed (Phragmites australis) since the mid-1990’s. Found on the Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin NWR as well as on private and state owned properties, more than 30 small patches of phragmites are scattered up and down the river banks of the South Edisto and Combahee Rivers. Phragmites is prevalent inside one 185-acre impoundment/rice field at Bonny Hall on the Combahee, property owned by the EFH ACE Basin NWR. Since its foothold in the area, the refuge and the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) have increasingly battled this extremely invasive plant. Phragmites is a wetland plant that was brought to the U.S. in the 1800’s. It was introduced from southern Europe, west Asia, and north Africa as an ornamental. The grass has a fast-spreading rhizome system and competes with native plants that occur along freshwater ponds and marshes. Phragmites will encroach and displace most marsh plants including Tree branches bowed under the weight of ice along Fort Watson Road at Santee NWR, credit USFWS/Marc Epstein. wild millets, panic grasses, flat sedges, smartweeds, and spike rushes. Migratory Highs Across the Low waterfowl, endangered species and other migratory birds on the ACE Basin NWR continued from page 3 and other adjoining Lowcountry wetlands Located in Conway and adjacent to are dependent upon these plants as significant food sources. Coastal Carolina University, annual Common reed, non-native grass, invades ACE Basin wetlands, credit Dan Ashworth. visitation at the recreation area has In the past, many methods including reached over 75,000 and is used by hikers, burning, mowing, drying, flooding, bikers, students and college faculty. Today, the EFH ACE Basin NWR, and applying approved herbicide disking, and a combination of these have SCDNR and Friends of Coastal South treatments, and the post-treatment The winter storm that impacted been employed on the refuge in efforts Carolina have joined forces to compliment monitoring of herbicide application to eradicate phragmites. The use of the southeast in February hit the the efforts of the ACE Basin Task Force sites to determine the effectiveness of herbicides has been found to be the most Invasive Species Strike Team to control the control techniques. The project is Waccamaw and Santee refuges efficient means to remove the grass. and eradicate phragmites. The USFWS expected to be completed by September extremely hard. Refuge staff have utilized the herbicide will provide partial funding to the 30, 2015. glyphosate with both ground and aerial Power at the facilities was lost for days. SCDNR for the ACE Basin Project area applications from backpacks, from boats, affecting the refuge. Volunteers for the Friends of Coastal There was no damage to buildings and from amphibious tracked vehicles and South Carolina will assist the refuge facilities; however, at Waccamaw, three helicopters with some short term success. SCDNR will administer and conduct in public outreach and environmental recreational vehicles owned by volunteers In recent years, more effective chemicals control efforts for numerous patches of education efforts. Additionally, Friends were severely damaged. There were have come about and were approved for plants primarily on the South Edisto volunteers will be trained to identify, numerous downed trees and branches on refuge use, such as Habitat (Imazapyr) and Combahee Rivers. The project is monitor, and participate in control roads and trails, and cleanup continued Volunteers pile up litter taken from the Long Tract at Cox Ferry Recreation Area, and Clearcast (Imazamox). three tiered and entails identifying and measures for the invasive species while into late March. credit USFWS/ Jason Hunnicutt. mapping areas of infestation, planning enhancing wetland habitat on the refuge. 4 5 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Partners Take Action Against Sea Level Rise Memories Made at Santee’s Waccamaw Youth Blazing Wetlands are among the most productive, is extracted 10 cm and 30 cm below the Family Friendly Hunt Trails for Conservation diverse, and important ecosystems in the soil surface, and salinity and temperature world, providing habitat for numerous measurements are collected. Collecting The brisk October wind brings This summer, Waccamaw NWR proudly hosted its first Youth plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, this information will help determine how a welcomed change after a long Conservation Corps (YCC). YCC is a summer employment birds, fish and mammals. Many national salinity within the soil profile changes hot sweltering summer. The program enabling high school students to work full time on wildlife refuges were established for over time. Accretion cores are collected refreshing cooler fall air is filled federally managed lands. The program lasted eight weeks species that rely heavily on wetlands as in order to determine rates of vertical with excitement as the dedicated and was funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. forage habitat, nursery zones, spawning accretion over time. This involves taking group of sons and daughters have Additional funding from the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation grounds, and migratory corridors. a sediment core and measuring the gathered at the Santee NWR allowed the Refuge to hire a crew leader. Sam Buzuleciu, sediment that has accreted on top of a Visitor Center for the Bluff Unit’s current graduate student at Coastal Carolina University and Today, the potential impacts of climate marker horizon. Family, Friends and Kids Hunt. former intern and employee of the SEWEE Association, change and sea level rise are an immense Refuge volunteer and hunter was hired as supervisor. Six students were recruited from challenge and concern for coastal refuges In the future, each RSET benchmark education instructor, Larry both Horry and Georgetown counties with the help of throughout the National Wildlife Refuge will also be surveyed using National Shontere, explains the final steps recommendations from teachers and advisors and included two System. As sea level rise occurs, coastal Geodetic Survey guidelines so wetland of safety and the rules of the long-term residents of Tara Hall, a local home for boys. wetlands can become inundated, resulting surface elevation can be linked to local hunt to the kids and adults. It’s a During some of the warmest weather of the year, the YCC crew in habitat loss or extensive alterations. sea level. The data from this project will special time for the adventurous worked on various projects around the Refuge. This included In order to gain a greater understanding help refuge managers identify critical young boys and girls to join their cleaning up debris and maintaining trails, going out in boats about the impacts of sea-level rise, areas where rates of loss are exceeding moms and dads or another adult Trevor Turcottle proudly to collect litter in the rivers, and constructing and improving the Southeast Region Inventory and the ability of the habitat to respond leader for a special hunt on the displays his large buck habitat for wildlife. A main project was the expansion of the Monitoring (I&M) Network has started to changes. Having this information refuge’s Bluff Unit. taken on the Family Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area in Conway. The expansion is monitoring coastal wetland elevations at will help managers understand what is Friendly Hunt, credit Adding to the growing excitement well underway thanks to the crew which worked to blaze trails, 18 refuges spanning Florida, Georgia, happening to wetlands on refuges and, USFWS/Marc Epstein. South Carolina, and North Carolina. adjust management techniques towards is a smoking-hot grill full of remove fences, and clear brush. With assistance from so many forecasted future conditions. yummy hot dogs cooking, and a cooler full of chips and soft extra hands, Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area and the Visitor’s Nicole Rankin uses the cryogenic coring Center have never looked better. Our National Wildlife Refuges method to collect a sediment core from drinks for a great snack before the hunt. Partnering with the Refuge to support this quality hunting program and safety, the ACE Basin NWR, credit USFWS/ The Southeast I&M Network The YCC crew also assisted in teaching several environmental provide critical habitat for a South Carolina Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Theresa Thom. education classes to local summer camps. Most of the students multitude of plants and animals, has been fortunate to partner has been offering snacks and safety gear for the kids for many had never handled snakes or an alligator and, by the end of the with refuges, the U.S. Geological years. The refuge’s focus is to bring kids and adults together and it is important to understand Following the installations, Nicole trained summer, they argued over who would hold the reptiles as they for a great hunting and outdoor experience. For some lucky few, refuge staff to begin measuring wetland Survey, the Nature Conservancy, had all grown fond of them. the rate and impacts of sea level surface elevation from each RSET they will remember this hunt for the rest of their lives because rise to these species habitats. benchmark, porewater salinity from the National Park Service, there are some very large deer on the Bluff Unit. In an effort to conserve Refuge resources, the students started salinity plots, and sediment accretion the South Atlantic Landscape two successful insect farms that eliminated routine trips to pet This project will monitor rates This special “Family Friendly” hunt is a little different from a from feldspar plots. stores and bait shops, reducing feeding costs for the Visitor Conservation Cooperative, the traditional “Youth Hunt.” With the Youth Hunt, only kids that of wetland elevation change and Center’s reptiles and fish. continued on page 9 relative sea level rise, and using This fall, the elevation monitoring National Estuarine Research are between the ages of 10 -17 with hunter education can hunt project enters its third year. For Reserve System, the National accompanied by an adult. There are two main differences with this information, we can forecast RSET measurements, monitoring the Family Friendly hunt. First, kids that qualify for age and the longevity of these habitats involves taking height measurements Geodetic Survey, and Atkins hunter education can hunt but the adults can too. Secondly, on refuges and actions we need (in millimeters) of pins lowered to the Global to accomplish many with the Family Friendly hunt, any kid can join with an adult marsh surface. Over time, these height aspects of this project. and participate in the hunt. However, if they do not meet the to undertake to sustain natural measurements are used to calculate the age or hunter education requirement, they can still go along on resources associated with these vertical changes of the wetland surface Furthermore, the data collected from the hunt with an adult, and still have a great hunting/outdoor experience. Here’s how it works. areas. over time. For porewater salinity, water this project will be used in conjunction with similar data collected from RSET To be considered for this hunt, hunters can apply on-line with Laurel Barnhill benchmarks maintained by the National an application to be randomly selected for this very popular Southeast Region I&M Coordinator Park Service, the National Estuarine event or send the application to refuge headquarters. The lucky Research Reserve System, and U.S. hunters are notified by mail for the dates they were selected. To In the spring and summer of 2012, Geological Service to better examine Nicole Rankin, coastal ecologist with make the hunt more interesting and for safety reasons, hunters landscape scale changes brought on by are only allowed to use muzzle loading (black powder) rifles or the Southeast Region I&M Network, sea level rise. This project highlights worked with refuges and biologists from shotguns with slugs. In cooperation with SC DNR, the refuge the importance of within agency and also offers Hunter Education classes during late summer. the engineering consultant firm, Atkins interagency cooperation and data Global, to install rod surface elevation sharing. The combined-data collected The good news about the hunt is that it’s not uncommon for table (RSET) benchmarks into an array from refuges and other agency lands will several hunters to be successful in their first hunt. The secret of habitats on coastal refuges. The provide a more robust and meaningful about this hunt is out and it is becoming very popular. However, benchmark installation involved driving picture of habitat change and sea level to learn more and how to apply, please visit the Santee NWR stainless steel rods through the marsh rise across the South Atlantic coastal at: http://www.fws.gov/santee/Hunting&Fishing.html or call the 2014 Waccamaw NWR Youth Conservation Corps crew on bottom until encountering impenetrable landscape. refuge headquarters at 803/478 2217. Boneyard beach during their visit to Cape Romain NWR; from substrate. The team installed a total of 60 Sediment deposit on feldspar layer at Marc Epstein, Refuge Manager, Santee NWR left: Sam Buzuleciu, Kelsey Graham, Brianna Armstrong, RSET benchmarks (three benchmarks Waccamaw NWR is measured from a per site) for this project. Tiffani Gore, Jamison Pertell, Andrew Destefano and Skylar cryo-core, credit USFWS/Theresa Thorn. Wheeler, credit Olga Caballero. 6 7 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Planter and Robert Smalls: Destiny and Discovery at Cape Romain Waccamaw Youth Blazing In early Spring, National Oceanic an extensive research of the vessel’s plan for freedom. In the early morning 134 years later, NOAA’s Maritime Trails for Conservation Heritage Program conducted extensive and Atmospheric Administration history and the location of its remains. hours on May 13, Smalls, his brother and continued from page 7 their families, and black crew members historical research using records of (NOAA) representatives contacted Planter was built in Charleston between made their courageous escape. Wearing Planter’s design and machinery, historic As a token of appreciation and, to take a Cape Romain NWR staff to share 1859 and 1860. Made from live oak and the Captain’s hat and sounding the ship’s charts, and newspaper accounts of its break from the difficult work, Sam took the exhilarating news that NOAA cedar, the hull measured 147 feet long whistles, Smalls commandeered Planter sinking. IIMR implemented a remote- the YCC crew to Bulls Island at Cape by 30 feet wide. The steamer had two sensing survey in 2010. Utilizing a archeologists had most likely past Fort Sumter as day broke. With a Romain NWR. The students explored the boilers with two engines that powered white flag raised, Smalls delivered the magnetometer and hydraulic probing, island and learned about the natural and located the historic ship “Planter” side-paddle wheels. Owned by John Planter and cargo to the Union warship researchers identified characteristics human history of our neighboring refuge. off of Cape Island. The discovery Ferguson, the Planter transported cotton USS Onward. In the North, Smalls was of shipwreck remains and made contact Special thanks to Patricia Midgett and and passengers between Georgetown and of “Planter” rekindles the hailed a hero. with metal approximately 10 feet below Olga Caballero for hosting that fun and Charleston and communities along the the bottom surface. The findings, located educational trip. stirring story of enslaved African Pee Dee River. Smalls, recognized for his daring about ½ mile off of Cape Island, are escape and knowledge of the navigation For most of the crew, the summer American Robert Smalls, a man The national fame of Planter is believed to be Planter. NOAA passed who commandeered the ship to his channels, was employed as Planter’s pilot on the data to South Carolina and, any employment was their first job. They now inextricably linked to the heroic act of for the inland waterways. Planter was have experience working as a team in Robert Smalls during the Civil War. In further investigations of Planter are to be freedom and ultimate destiny. transferred from the Navy to the Army carried out by the state. difficult conditions - a life skill that should to be used in riverine operations and, in serve them well in any field. They learned 1863, Smalls was reassigned into Army “We consider it an honor that that most natural resources professionals service. On April 7, 1863, Smalls piloted the ship’s final resting place is wear many hats. These students had days the iron clad USS Keokuk in battle. on Cape Romain and will long when they taught classes in the morning Barraged by shells, he navigated the ship and blazed a new trail in the afternoon. out of range of confederate guns, where it revere these heroes while we enjoy sank. In the encounter at Seccessionville life in a nation where freedom is Brianna Armstrong, a student at Horry in December 1863, Smalls guided Planter paramount,” says Raye Nilius, County Early College High School had to safety when the captain abandoned his Smalls aboard Planter at Fort Sumter this to say about the program, “The YCC project leader for the South program provides an opportunity for post. ceremony April 1865, credit Dennis Carolina Lowcountry Refuges Cannady collection. young adults/students to improve their Smalls was appointed Planter’s Complex. community and learn new and unique things.” Brianna is one of three crew Ferguson regained ownership of Planter NOAA’s Office of Marine Sanctuaries, captain, becoming the first members that will finish their Associate’s and the steamer resumed its pre-war the USFWS Southeast Region, Fort African American to receive such degree when they graduate high school commercial operations. On March Sumter National Monument NPS, and in a year or two. With any luck, some of rank in the U.S. military. 24, 1876, in an attempt to rescue the Cape Romain and Waccamaw Refuges these bright and hardworking students schooner Carrie Melvin off the shoals of commemorated the discovery of Planter will remember fondly their experiences as Following the War, Smalls and Planter Cape Island, Planter struck a shoal and and Robert Small’s achievements with a YCC crew member and find their way were recognized at the raising of Fort sprang a leak. Storm conditions arose ceremonies at the Francis Marion Hotel, back to fields related to conservation and Sumter’s flag on April 14, 1865. Planter and, with its bow open to the surf, Planter Charleston on May 12th and at the Sewee natural resource management. was filled with African American was damaged beyond repair. Visitor and Environmental Education passengers. During the ceremony, one Center, Awendaw on May 13th, 152 years For more information about volunteer wrote of Smalls, “…self-possessed, after Smalls’ heroic escape to freedom. or recreational programs offered at prompt and proud, giving his orders An exhibit which imparts the story of Waccamaw NWR, please contact the to the helmsman in ringing tones of Planter and Robert Smalls is in place at Refuge Visitor Center at 843/527 8069 or command” (French, Justus Clement, Garris Landing, Cape Romain NWR. visit www.fws.gov/waccamaw. 1865). Planter was turned over to the Planter loaded with cargo at Georgetown, credit Dennis Cannady collection. Freedmen’s Bureau and Smalls Contact Information for South Carolina Lowcountry Refuges Complex commandeered the ship to transport The search for Planter was launched 1861, Smalls was an enslaved deck hand freed people to camps at Hilton Head by the Voyage to Discovery initiative, on the steamboat, skilled at navigating South Carolina Lowcountry Santee NWR Island until mid-1866. Smalls last Refuges Complex Marc Epstein, Refuge Manager a partnership between NOAA’s Office the shallow creeks and rivers along the assignment with Planter was to deliver of National Marine Sanctuaries Marine South Carolina coast. After the War Raye Nilius, Project Leader 803/478 2217 the ship to Baltimore, MD, where it would 843/928 3264 or [email protected] [email protected] Heritage Program, the National began, Planter was chartered by the be sold. Association of Black SCUBA Divers Confederate government and Smalls was Cape Romain NWR Waccamaw NWR and the Bill Murrain Foundation, in conscripted as ship’s wheelman. Smalls pursued a political career. He Sarah Dawsey, Refuge Manager Craig Sasser, Refuge Manager collaboration with the Institute for served in the South Carolina Legislature 843/928 3264 or [email protected] 843/527 8069 International Maritime Research. A main On May 12, 1862, Planter returned to as both a representative and senator focus of Voyage to Discovery is to explore Charleston after picking up four cannons from 1868-1874. He was then elected to Ernest F. Hollings the ocean waters to identify a sunken and a gun carriage to be delivered to the U.S. House of Representatives where ACE Basin NWR shipwreck that illustrates the maritime confederate forces the following day. he served five terms, from 1875 to 1887. Mark Purcell, Refuge Manager experience and achievements by African The white crew members left the ship Smalls returned to his home in Beaufort, 843/889 3084 or [email protected] Americans. The Planter initiative entailed to attend a gala in the city. Given an to the house where he was born into Congressman Robert Smalls, credit opportunity, Smalls had devised a daring slavery. Dennis Cannady collection. 8 9 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service The Long Way Home Red Wolf Pups Ignite Passion and Innovation On March 11, 2014, a winter storm Cape Romain NWR announced exciting the wolves has been paramount to the named “Vulcan” pushed through the news on April 8th that the Red wolf success we have seen this year” noted West dumping snow followed by high female, Lily, had given birth to pups at refuge manager Sarah Dawsey. “We are winds. Vulcan skipped over the Central the Sewee Visitor and Environmental very fortunate to have Rob as our wolf Plains leaving little snow or moisture Education Center. Of the six pups born, caretaker.” behind. The following day, Vulcan began four of the pups survived. The births wreaking havoc east of the Mississippi. were the first successful litter to be born As part of that care, the pups received Strong winds, freezing rain and snow at the Center, one of 44 captive breeding vaccinations and deworming from birth all culminated to create a winter storm facilities nationwide for the endangered to 16 weeks of age. That involved the that impacted far more than the local wolf. Two pups were relocated to Alligator difficult task of catching the pups for the inhabitants for days to come. River NWR in North Carolina to be administration of the vaccines. At the fostered by free-ranging wolves, allowing nine-week vaccination, Johnson and staff Neotropical migratory birds, including the for integration into the wild population. had a particularly tough time finding Swallow-tailed kite, had started their spring The two male pups remaining at the them as they hid in an underground den migration northward from far reaches Center, Jewell and Colbert – named with a network of tunnels in multiple such as Brazil, where the kites spend after Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and directions. “We typically try to crawl in or their winters. This mega storm created television comedian Stephen Colbert dig out part of the den in order to locate unanticipated challenges for migrating – are being raised by the parents, with the pups” Rob stated. Rob and staff came avian species, many of which may have much care provided by wolf caretaker up with an innovative method. Using a perished leaving no trace behind. Flying to freedom over the Great Pee Dee River, credit John Henry Sasser. Rob Johnson and refuge staff. Go Pro camera and headlamp attached to a fabricated pole, a Wi-Fi connection transport the dying bird to the facility. transport these birds to warmer climates When the kite was assessed for injuries in South Carolina. The most important by Director Katherine Uhler, the kite factor for their release is that they are weighed 378 grams and could not stand. released in suitable habitat where there Over the next two weeks, the kite are abundant food resources that will Veterinarian Brian King and Rob regained weight reaching 426 grams and significantly improve the speed and Johnson prepare to release Colbert was eventually transported to the Tri- extent of their recovery. following his 16 week vaccinations, credit State Bird Rescue, in Newark, Delaware. USFWS/Tricia Midgett. Ironically, this facility had received A volunteer at the Tri-State Rescue Center told Derek Stoner, the manager another kite that had been blown into breeding site for the recovery of the of Middle Run Natural Area in Delaware Bucks County, Pennsylvania by the same species. In a span of 18 years (1987-2005), and who also volunteers for the Center, March storm. 26 pups were born on the island. that there was an abundance of kites Swallow-tailed kites showing up in at Waccamaw NWR. Derek contacted The Red wolf is a critically endangered the mid-Atlantic region of Delaware, Refuge Manager Craig Sasser and asked mammal that historically thrived in the Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, has if one of the rehabilitated birds could eastern and south-central United States. become an annual trend where a few kites be released at the refuge. On April 5th As a result of predator-control programs appear in the Spring, usually between Derek and friend Hillary Sullivan made a and habitat loss or alteration, Red wolf the beginning of April and the middle nine hour overnight trip from Delaware populations declined drastically in the of May. Kites observed in the Spring to South Carolina to release the kite. 1900s, which led to endangered species Swallow-tailed kite undergoes rehab at in these areas are thought to be “over- The other kite had been released with listing in 1967. Today, under the Red Wolf Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, shoots”, meaning that their migration great success just days before at Francis Species Survival Plan, there are 208 Red credit Barbara Miller. back to their breeding locations went a Marion National Forest, located just a wolves in captive facilities. Approximately bit too far north and they sailed along th short distance south of the refuge as a 90 - 110 wolves comprise the only wild On the early morning of March 13 , into territories where they aren’t likely kite flies. while leaving for work and surveying the population at the Alligator River NWR. to stay very long. These “overshoots” This year, 19 pups were born in 4 litters aftermath of Vulcan, Beth Whitemore of are usually associated with a strong Derek, Hillary and the newly banded Red wolf pups snuggle under the watchful eye of their parents, credit on the refuge. the Whitehall Township, Lehigh County Southerly wind that pushes the birds kite arrived at the refuge headquarters USFWS/Raye Nilius. PA, was surprised at her discovery. As further and faster than they’d normally around eight o’clock in the morning. In Red wolves are housed at the Sewee Beth was leaving her home for work, fly. It is nothing for a kite to travel a few preparation for its release, protective Rob Johnson, fondly known as and an iPhone, they were able to pinpoint Center where visitors can observe and she heard a large group of crows cawing hundred miles in one day in the right covers on the kite’s tail were removed. “Wolfman”, worked closely with Lily the location of one pup in the den and learn about this rare and beautiful from a tree in her backyard. After a few conditions. On occasion, in Cape May, at Soon after, the kite was released from the and mate Shiloh that produced April’s eventually find the other. This technology animal. The Center is open Wednesday minutes of investigating the source of the tip of the New Jersey peninsula, the Yauhannah Bluff overlooking the Great litter. Rob assisted staff to ensure the will be used to locate the pups over the – Saturday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm their distress, Beth noticed a beautiful kites gather as they head south and try Pee Dee River. As pictures were being pair acclimated to their surroundings and next year. with Red wolf discussions and feedings black and white raptor on the ground to make it across the Delaware Bay on taken, it became obvious to the audience received high-quality enrichment. Rob scheduled on Thursdays and Saturdays. near the tree. This beautiful raptor their way to the Carolinas, which is the of staff and volunteers that this bird continues to provide excellent care for the Cape Romain NWR has been an integral Visitors can contact the Center at 843/928 was like none she had ever seen, and northernmost known nesting area for had finally made its way home. The kite wolves. He also raises awareness for the part of recovery efforts for the Red wolf 3368 for more information about the it was too weak to move. Beth called these spectacular birds. soared, swooped, preened and put on an red wolf recovery program by presenting since 1976. It was on Bulls Island in wolves and other educational programs. Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, incredible aerial display before following discussions and feedings twice weekly 1978 that the successful release of two Stroudsburg, PA to report the bird. After both kites were reunited at the Nicole Rankin, Coastal Ecologist and the river upstream as if it had been at for Center visitors. “Having an individual wolves demonstrated the feasibility of Within minutes PWRC capture/transport Tri-State Bird Rescue Center, plans Jared Chrisp, Cape Romain NWR Intern Waccamaw before. as invested as Rob in the husbandry of re-establishing the wolf back into the volunteer Barbara Miller arrived to were made to get necessary permits to wild. Bulls Island became the first island 10 11