Santee National Wildlife Refuge
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Santee National Wildlife Refuge Refuge Facts ■ Habitat types found on the refuge ■ The Santee National Wildlife include mixed hardwoods, mixed Refuge was established in 1941 to pine hardwoods, pine plantations, compensate for the loss of habitat marsh, croplands, old fields, ponds, for migratory waterfowl by the impoundments, and open water. creation and flooding of the Santee This tremendous diversity in Cooper Lakes. habitats supports many kinds of wildlife. photo: USFWS/S. Heisey photo: ■ When established, the refuge was approved for 90,000 acres, to be ■ Endangered and threatened leased from the South Carolina species found on the refuge include Public Service Authority for 35 the American alligator, wood stork, years. and short-nosed sturgeon. ■ Under the 1975 lease agreement, ■ The Dingle Pond Unit is home to the refuge was separated into four a Carolina Bay, providing unique units along the northern shore of habitat for several wetland species Lake Marion totaling 8,195 acres including reptiles and amphibians. leased from Santee Cooper. The Carolina Bays are depressional refuge also has 4,448 acres that are wetlands typically fed by rain or photo: USFWS/M. Epstein photo: owned fee title. The current lease spring. agreement will expire in 2025. Financial Impact of Refuge ■ The refuge manages three ■ Full time employees: six migratory bird sanctuaries to provide a place for wintering ■ Annual visitation: 181,000 visitors waterfowl to rest, loaf, and feed. ■ Primary host of the Santee Birding The largest concentrations of and Nature Festival; partners with wintering waterfowl on the refuge local conservation organizations are found within these sanctuaries. to promote ecotourism, outdoor ■ A Wilderness Study was conducted recreation, and environmental on the Plantation and Pine Islands education in central and coastal South Carolina. photo: USFWS/M. Epstein photo: of the refuge in 1972. ■ The refuge office is located Refuge Objectives approximately seven miles south ■ Provide habitat for migratory of Summerton, SC and four miles waterfowl consistent with the north of Santee, SC. Two of the objectives of the North American refuge units, including the Visitor Waterfowl Management Plan. Center and Headquarters, are ■ Provide habitat and protection for located within one-mile of I-95. neo-tropical migratory birds and Natural History endangered/threatened species. ■ Located in the upper coastal plain ■ Provide habitat for a natural region in Clarendon County, South diversity of indigenous wildlife Carolina, Santee National Wildlife species. Refuge is a major wintering area for migratory birds. In addition to ■ Provide opportunities for fish and photo: USFWS/S. Heisey photo: over a dozen species of ducks, the wildlife-oriented recreation and Marc Epstein, Refuge Manager refuge also hosts the last remaining environmental education. Santee NWR population of migratory Canada 2125 Fort Watson Road geese in South Carolina and serves Management Tools Summerton, SC 29148 as the southerly most migration ■ Water level management in Phone: 803/478 2217 point in the Atlantic Flyway. impoundments, green-tree Fax: 803/478 2314 reservoirs, and moist soil E-mail: [email protected] impoundments. www.fws.gov/santee.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ■ Cooperative and force account Deer, turkey, and alligators are March through September provides farming programs. abundant and easily viewed by refuge the best opportunities for observing visitors. A great variety of snake and nesting neo-tropical migratory ■ Controlled burning to reduce turtle species are also common. birds, such as the painted bunting, hazardous fuels and maintain early Prothonotary warbler, and indigo successional habitats. What is the Indian Mound? bunting. The Cuddo Unit Wildlife The Santee Indian Mound/Fort ■ Mechanical and chemical control of Drive and the Bluff Unit allow for Watson is listed on the National easy observation of these species. invasive species. Register of Historic Places. This area ■ Managed public hunt program for was a ceremonial and burial mound Alligators are most visible during white-tailed deer and raccoon. for the Santee Indians, which lived the late fall, winter, and early along the river over 1000 years ago. spring months. On sunny days, ■ Waterfowl banding. large alligators can be seen basking In 1781, the mound was used as a on the banks of refuge canals and ■ Refuge interpretation, education, platform for Fort Watson, a British ditches. The best areas for observing and recreational programs. outpost during the Revolutionary alligators are on the Cuddo Unit War which allowed the British to ■ Law enforcement. Wildlife Drive and the Pine Island provide an elevated vantage point Unit biking/hiking trail. Calendar of Events that overlooked the Santee River March and the road to Charleston. Francis Where are the public use areas on the Raccoon/Opossum Hunt “Swamp Fox” Marion and Lt. Col. refuge? Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee led a The Visitor Center and Refuge Office April campaign and overtook the fort using is located on the Bluff Unit of the Santee Birding and Nature Festival Maham’s Tower, a tower that could be refuge. The Visitor Center is open five used to fire into the stockade and thus days a week from 8 am – 4 pm. On the September neutralize the advantage of elevation Bluff Unit, visitors may use the one- National Public Lands Day that the defenders possessed. mile Wrights Bluff Nature Trail. An observation platform into Cantey Bay, October Are tours and/or programs available Family-Friendly Hunts; Archery and and an observation tower overlooking to the public? refuge fields are great vantage points Primitive Weapons Hunts for White- Staff and volunteer-led programs tailed Deer; National Wildlife Refuge for observing a great diversity of are conducted in the fall, winter, species. System Week and spring of the year. Special December programs and tours for clubs, church The Pine Island Unit has a 3.5 Santee Christmas Bird Count groups, and school groups can be mile long biking/hiking loop and a accommodated by contacting the primitive boat ramp; The Dingle Pond Frequently Asked Questions refuge office. Unit hosts a hiking trail, observation What types of animals can I see on tower, and over 600 feet of boardwalk. the refuge? Several special events are held The Cuddo Unit public access areas During most times of the year throughout the year including the include the 7.5 mile Wildlife Drive, 7.5 there are numerous opportunities Santee Birding and Nature Festival, mile biking/hiking trails, three hiking to observe a variety of wildlife National Public Lands Day, National trails, and two canoe/kayak trails. In species. With almost 300 species of Wildlife Refuge System Week, and total, the refuge has almost 40 miles birds recorded, Santee NWR is an the Great Backyard Bird Count. The of trails, two observation towers, and outstanding area for bird watching most up-to-date information about a visitor center open to the public. and considered one of the best inland upcoming programs can be found birding areas in South Carolina. on the refuge website, www.fws.gov/ What are the hours of operation? santee.html The refuge is open daily from dawn The brilliantly colored painted until dusk with access limited on the bunting nests in abundance as do When and where are the best times to Cuddo Unit to the following times: a number of other neo-tropical see wildlife? migratory birds. During the Generally, the best times of day to October 1 – February 28: 7 am – 5 pm observe wildlife are shortly after winter months, thousands of ducks March 1 – September 30: 6 am – 8 pm overwinter within the refuge, using dawn in the morning or shortly the refuge-designated migratory bird before dusk in the evening. Wintering The Visitor Center is open Tuesday sanctuaries. The refuge hosts the last waterfowl can be observed on the through Saturday from 8 am – 4 pm. remaining population of migratory refuge November – February along Canada geese which can generally be the Wrights Bluff Nature Trail on the seen feeding in the agricultural fields Bluff Unit or on the hiking/bicycling on the Bluff Unit. Nesting bald eagles loop on the Pine Island Unit. and osprey are evident along with several other species of raptors. .