Nemours Gazette A publication of the Nemours Wildlife Foundation

161 Nemours Plantation Road, Yemassee, 29945 • 843-846-2539 www.nemourswildlifefoundation.org

Volume 19 • N0 2 FIND US ON FACEBOOK FALL – WINTER 2019

The ACE Basin Project: 30 Years and 300,000 Acres By Michele Barker Several hundred folks gathered at Willtown Plantation December 8th to celebrate a monumental achievement – the 30th Anniversary of the ACE Basin Project and 301,000 acres of conserved Lowcountry. Yet, one does not have to be invited to a party to acknowledge this milestone. A simple drive up or down US Highway 17 through the ACE Basin between Beaufort and Charleston is enough to make anyone’s day. No resorts or huge cookie cutter neighborhoods. Just forests, marshes and rivers for the most part. When groups visit us here at Nemours, one of our tour stops is along a dike which borders a former rice field, now a managed tidal impoundment. On one side of the dike is that impoundment, the glamorously named Snipe Bog. On the other side are wild marsh and the Combahee River. After discussing what creatures are present, explaining the features of the managed impoundment versus the marsh, and answering questions, our director, Dr. Ernie Wiggers, always tells our guests that there is one other thing he really wants them to notice on the marsh side. “What do you see?” he’ll ask. Usually there is silence until some bold soul says “Nothing?”, and Dr. Wiggers will say they are correct. Nothing but marsh grasses, pluff mud and trees just beyond the river off in the distance. No condos or houses, no hotels or massive development. (See “ACE” Page 7)

Photo by Micha Ashford  From the President: From the President: The Stewardship Plan for Nemours Plantation The Stewardship Plan for Nemours Plantation For the past 20 years, we have taken our responsibility as land stewards For the past 20 years, we have taken our responsibility as land stewards very seriously and have tried to make management decisions based upon very seriously and have tried to make management decisions based upon what most benefits our wildlife, wetland, and forest resources. This what most benefits our wildlife, wetland, and forest resources. This approach has worked well but like any good organization there comes a approach has worked well but like any good organization there comes a time when you need to take a step back to review and evaluate what you time when you need to take a step back to review and evaluate what you have been doing, critically assess the results, and examine how you could be more efficient and have been doing, critically assess the results, and examine how you could be more efficient and effective. With the urging of the Foundation’s Board we did an internal, self-evaluation this year effective. With the urging of the Foundation’s Board we did an internal, self-evaluation this year and developed a multi-year management plan that will take us into the future. We hired Gillie and developed a multi-year management plan that will take us into the future. We hired Gillie Croft, one of our graduate students who recently completed his Master of Science degree in Croft, one of our graduate students who recently completed his Master of Science degree in wildlife biology, to lead and coordinate this project. wildlife biology, to lead and coordinate this project. The management plan states: “The principal goal for the property is to promote quality habitat The management plan states: “The principal goal for the property is to promote quality habitat and best management practices for the entire suite of wildlife species we might encounter in the and best management practices for the entire suite of wildlife species we might encounter in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.” This is a broad goal when you consider Nemours encompasses Lowcountry of South Carolina.” This is a broad goal when you consider Nemours encompasses some 9,500 acres of very diverse habitats. Specifically, Nemours is made up of 1,002 acres of long some 9,500 acres of very diverse habitats. Specifically, Nemours is made up of 1,002 acres of long leaf pine, 2,747 acres of other pine forest (primarily loblolly), 2,963 acres of mixed hardwoods, 511 leaf pine, 2,747 acres of other pine forest (primarily loblolly), 2,963 acres of mixed hardwoods, 511 acres of open lands and fallow fields, and 2,261 acres of fresh and brackish water wetlands. acres of open lands and fallow fields, and 2,261 acres of fresh and brackish water wetlands. The task becomes even more daunting when you consider the infrastructure needed to access The task becomes even more daunting when you consider the infrastructure needed to access all parts of this landscape. While measuring various infrastructure resources, Gillie uncovered all parts of this landscape. While measuring various infrastructure resources, Gillie uncovered some truly overwhelming statistics (at least for me) including 77 miles of roads, 95 miles of some truly overwhelming statistics (at least for me) including 77 miles of roads, 95 miles of firebreaks, 22 miles of dikes, 34 individual wetland impoundments, and 48 water control firebreaks, 22 miles of dikes, 34 individual wetland impoundments, and 48 water control structures. Although 48 water control structures sounds adequate, our self-evaluation resulted in structures. Although 48 water control structures sounds adequate, our self-evaluation resulted in our wanting to add to this count significantly over the next five years. our wanting to add to this count significantly over the next five years.

(See “From the President, Page 4) (See “From the President, Page 4)

THE NEMOURS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION THE NEMOURS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Colden Battey, Jr., Esq., Chairman Michael G. McShane, Vice Chairman Colden Battey, Jr., Esq., Chairman Michael G. McShane, Vice Chairman Gerald H. Schulze, Secretary/Treasurer Gerald H. Schulze, Secretary/Treasurer

William R. Barrett, Jr. James A. Beard. Jr. Linda A. Demmer Johnny Williamson William R. Barrett, Jr. James A. Beard. Jr. Linda A. Demmer Johnny Williamson Ernie P. Wiggers, Ph.D., President/CEO John R. Cope, Esq., D. Min., Emeritus Ernie P. Wiggers, Ph.D., President/CEO John R. Cope, Esq., D. Min., Emeritus

STAFF STAFF Beau Bauer Robert Kitler Justin Rickenbaker Beau Bauer Robert Kitler Justin Rickenbaker Landon Avant Michele Barker Bubba Erwin Peachie Washington Landon Avant Michele Barker Bubba Erwin Peachie Washington

2 2 Second Reintroduction of Red-cockaded President: the From Woodpeckers Adds Six More Birds to Nemours Plantation Nemours for Plan Stewardship The Photo and Story by Pete Laurie Six additional red-cockaded woodpeckers were released in early November at Nemours stewards land as responsibility our taken have we years, 20 past the For Plantation to supplement the original reintroduction of the endangered birds in 2014. upon based decisions management make to tried have and seriously very what most benefits our wildlife, wetland, and forest resources. This This resources. forest and wetland, wildlife, our benefits most what Biologists with the Longleaf Alliance, funded through a grant from the National Fish and approach has worked well but like any good organization there comes a a comes there organization good any like but well worked has approach Wildlife Foundation, captured the birds in the Francis Marion National Forest north of time when you need to take a step back to review and evaluate what you you what evaluate and review to back step a take to need you when time Charleston. have been doing, critically assess the results, and examine how you could be more efficient and and efficient more be could you how examine and results, the assess critically doing, been have The birds were captured at their roost trees at night, transported to Nemours and placed into year this evaluation - self internal, an did we Board Foundation’s the of urging the With effective. artificial cavities in mature pines with screens placed over the entrance holes to keep the birds in Gillie hired We future. the into us take will that plan management year - multi a developed and the cavities overnight. At dawn the next morning, the screens were removed, and the birds flew in degree Science of Master his completed recently who students graduate our of one Croft, free with the hope that they will remain in the area and use the artificial cavities for roosting and project. this coordinate and lead to biology, wildlife nesting in subsequent years. The management plan states: “The principal goal for the property is to promote quality habitat habitat quality promote to is property the for goal principal “The states: plan management The Two weeks prior to the reintroduction, the in encounter might we species wildlife of suite entire the for practices management best and independent contractor Larry Wood (see encompasses Nemours consider you when goal broad a is This Carolina.” South of Lowcountry photo at right) installed the artificial cavities long of acres 1,002 of up made is Nemours Specifically, habitats. diverse very of acres 9,500 some about 20 feet above the ground in each of 511 hardwoods, mixed of acres 2,963 loblolly), (primarily forest pine other of acres 2,747 pine, leaf four or five nearby pines at three separate wetlands. water brackish and fresh of acres 2,261 and fields, fallow and lands open of acres locations. The task becomes even more daunting when you consider the infrastructure needed to access access to needed infrastructure the consider you when daunting more even becomes task The The only woodpecker to excavate cavities uncovered Gillie resources, infrastructure various measuring While landscape. this of parts all in living trees, a process that takes two or of miles 95 roads, of miles 77 including me) for least (at statistics overwhelming truly some more years, red-cockaded woodpeckers can control water 48 and impoundments, wetland individual 34 dikes, of miles 22 firebreaks, use the artificial cavities for roosting and in resulted evaluation - self our adequate, sounds structures control water 48 Although structures. nest immediately while they start years. five next the over significantly count this to add to wanting our excavating natural cavities. 4) Page President, the “From (See Only one of the original four red-cockaded woodpeckers remains at FOUNDATION WILDLIFE NEMOURS THE Nemours. One flew to Cheeha-Combahee DIRECTORS OF BOARD Plantation on the lower Combahee River. The fate of the other two birds is unknown. Chairman Vice McShane, G. Michael Chairman Esq., Jr., Battey, Colden Secretary/Treasurer Schulze, H. Gerald Once common throughout the longleaf pine forests of the Southeast, these Williamson Johnny Demmer A. Linda Jr. Beard. A. James Jr. Barrett, R. William woodpeckers declined dramatically with Emeritus Min., D. Esq., Cope, R. John President/CEO Ph.D., Wiggers, P. Ernie the loss of old growth pine habitat. They disappeared from the ACE Basin decades ago due to excessive timber harvest. STAFF

(See “RCW Release” on Page 4) Rickenbaker Justin Kitler Robert Bauer Beau Washington Peachie Erwin Bubba Barker Michele Avant Landon

3  2 From the President: (“RCW Release” continued) In 2014, Nemours became one of the first private landowners to welcome the reintroduction of The Stewardship Plan for Nemours Plantation these birds. Through educational efforts by the Nemours Wildlife Foundation and others, along with the establishment of the Safe Harbor Program, additional landowners within the basin have For the past 20 years, we have taken our responsibility as land stewards now accepted the endangered birds on their property. Some 175 landowners have enrolled more very seriously and have tried to make management decisions based upon than 350,000 acres in the Safe Harbor Program and approximately 92 red-cockaded woodpeckers what most benefits our wildlife, wetland, and forest resources. This have been reintroduced on four properties within the ACE Basin. approach has worked well but like any good organization there comes a time when you need to take a step back to review and evaluate what you Considered a "keystone" species, red-cockaded woodpeckers contribute to the overall species have been doing, critically assess the results, and examine how you could be more efficient and richness in pine forests. The cavities they construct also support "secondary" cavity users, those not effective. With the urging of the Foundation’s Board we did an internal, self-evaluation this year capable of excavating their own cavities. Secondary users include 27 species of vertebrates includ- and developed a multi-year management plan that will take us into the future. We hired Gillie ing other birds, snakes, lizards, squirrels and frogs. Croft, one of our graduate students who recently completed his Master of Science degree in (“From the President” continued) wildlife biology, to lead and coordinate this project. As a good colleague, Dean Harrigal, once told me “you need good plumbing to be a good manager The management plan states: “The principal goal for the property is to promote quality habitat of wetlands” and in our case we need more water-control structures to get better water movement and best management practices for the entire suite of wildlife species we might encounter in the across some wetland units. Lowcountry of South Carolina.” This is a broad goal when you consider Nemours encompasses The real value of this plan is it allows our staff to know a year or more in advance the some 9,500 acres of very diverse habitats. Specifically, Nemours is made up of 1,002 acres of long management actions they need to complete. Thus, fire breaks can be plowed weeks in advance leaf pine, 2,747 acres of other pine forest (primarily loblolly), 2,963 acres of mixed hardwoods, 511 when the ground is dry because we know where we will be burning in the coming months. This acres of open lands and fallow fields, and 2,261 acres of fresh and brackish water wetlands. will also provide more efficient deployment of our large equipment. As an example, in 2020 we The task becomes even more daunting when you consider the infrastructure needed to access plan to build and install four small spillway boxes and four full-size rice trunks. We also hope to re- all parts of this landscape. While measuring various infrastructure resources, Gillie uncovered top 6,000+ feet of dikes and excavate 8,500 feet of existing old canals to improve water diversion and some truly overwhelming statistics (at least for me) including 77 miles of roads, 95 miles of stormwater management. firebreaks, 22 miles of dikes, 34 individual wetland impoundments, and 48 water control Our prescribed burn plan is similarly laid out. We have stands of pine savannas and longleaf structures. Although 48 water control structures sounds adequate, our self-evaluation resulted in pine that we try to burn annually. Other stands of pine will be burned on a 2-year or 3-year our wanting to add to this count significantly over the next five years. rotation. Mixed-pine and hardwood stands we will burn on a 4 or 5-year rotation. When we set this (See “From the President, Page 4) in motion, 880 and 950 acres are scheduled to be burned in 2020 and 2021, but as we look forward 1,850+ acres are scheduled to be prescribed burned in 2022, 2024, and 2025. So, three out of every THE NEMOURS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION five years will tax our ability to accomplish our prescribed burning goals. For these years, advanced planning will be especially critical. But we know that now and hopefully will be prepared and BOARD OF DIRECTORS ready when these busy years roll around. Colden Battey, Jr., Esq., Chairman Michael G. McShane, Vice Chairman When visitors see Nemours for the first time, they always tell me what a spectacular place it is Gerald H. Schulze, Secretary/Treasurer and how much they appreciate knowing places like this exist for wildlife conservation. These William R. Barrett, Jr. James A. Beard. Jr. Linda A. Demmer Johnny Williamson comments are very gratifying, and I try to share them with all the staff. I know the staff collectively Ernie P. Wiggers, Ph.D., President/CEO John R. Cope, Esq., D. Min., Emeritus take great pride in their role as stewards, and it is rewarding to see they are continuously searching

for new ways to improve how they go about their work. Beyond Nemours, I have been on many STAFF properties along our coastline and I have been amazed at the great work other land stewards are Beau Bauer Robert Kitler Justin Rickenbaker doing. I feel good about the future and our collective efforts to keep the ACE Basin one of the last Landon Avant Michele Barker Bubba Erwin Peachie Washington Great Places on the Earth.

2 4 Friends of the Nemours Wildlife Foundation Fall Gathering President: the From It was a chilly, soggy Saturday for our Friends, colleagues and guests October 19th at Nemours Plantation. But this is a hardy Plantation Nemours for Plan Stewardship The group, so they braved the elements to come hear our speaker, For the past 20 years, we have taken our responsibility as land stewards stewards land as responsibility our taken have we years, 20 past the For Carlton Owen (left), and join us for a wonderful meal. The most very seriously and have tried to make management decisions based upon upon based decisions management make to tried have and seriously very surprising part of the day? No one got stuck in the extremely what most benefits our wildlife, wetland, and forest resources. This This resources. forest and wetland, wildlife, our benefits most what muddy drive leaving that afternoon! approach has worked well but like any good organization there comes a a comes there organization good any like but well worked has approach Unless otherwise noted, photos by Susan DeLoach. time when you need to take a step back to review and evaluate what you you what evaluate and review to back step a take to need you when time have been doing, critically assess the results, and examine how you could be more efficient and and efficient more be could you how examine and results, the assess critically doing, been have Left, Gigi evaluation this year year this evaluation - self internal, an did we Board Foundation’s the of urging the With effective. McShane year management plan that will take us into the future. We hired Gillie Gillie hired We future. the into us take will that plan management year - multi a developed and and Yeti at Croft, one of our graduate students who recently completed his Master of Science degree in in degree Science of Master his completed recently who students graduate our of one Croft, the fall project. this coordinate and lead to biology, wildlife gathering. Photo by habitat quality promote to is property the for goal principal “The states: plan management The Pete Laurie the in encounter might we species wildlife of suite entire the for practices management best and Lowcountry of South Carolina.” This is a broad goal when you consider Nemours encompasses encompasses Nemours consider you when goal broad a is This Carolina.” South of Lowcountry some 9,500 acres of very diverse habitats. Specifically, Nemours is made up of 1,002 acres of long long of acres 1,002 of up made is Nemours Specifically, habitats. diverse very of acres 9,500 some leaf pine, 2,747 acres of other pine forest (primarily loblolly), 2,963 acres of mixed hardwoods, 511 511 hardwoods, mixed of acres 2,963 loblolly), (primarily forest pine other of acres 2,747 pine, leaf wetlands. water brackish and fresh of acres 2,261 and fields, fallow and lands open of acres Right, Elouise, daughter of Clay access to needed infrastructure the consider you when daunting more even becomes task The all parts of this landscape. While measuring various infrastructure resources, Gillie uncovered uncovered Gillie resources, infrastructure various measuring While landscape. this of parts all More than 140 guests Folk and Natalia some truly overwhelming statistics (at least for me) including 77 miles of roads, 95 miles of of miles 95 roads, of miles 77 including me) for least (at statistics overwhelming truly some joined us for our annual Davila, proves firebreaks, 22 miles of dikes, 34 individual wetland impoundments, and 48 water control control water 48 and impoundments, wetland individual 34 dikes, of miles 22 firebreaks, fall event. This was the you’re never too evaluation resulted in in resulted evaluation - self our adequate, sounds structures control water 48 Although structures. first time in 12 years that young to become years. five next the over significantly count this to add to wanting our weather was an issue, so interested in we’re not complaining! wildlife 4) Page President, the “From (See conservation.

Carlton Owen Awarded Gifford Pinchot Medal FOUNDATION WILDLIFE NEMOURS THE DIRECTORS OF BOARD Our speaker for the Fall Gathering of the Friends of Nemours Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities President and CEO Carlton Owen, is the 2019 recipient of the Gifford Chairman Vice McShane, G. Michael Chairman Esq., Jr., Battey, Colden Pinchot Medal for his lifetime contribution to the forest sector. The award, presented by the Society Secretary/Treasurer Schulze, H. Gerald of American Foresters (SAF) in November, recognizes outstanding contributions by a forestry Williamson Johnny Demmer A. Linda Jr. Beard. A. James Jr. Barrett, R. William professional in the administration, practice, and professional development of forestry in North Emeritus Min., D. Esq., Cope, R. John President/CEO Ph.D., Wiggers, P. Ernie America. Gifford Pinchot is widely credited as being America's first forester and the father of the conservation STAFF movement in North America. In addition to establishing the U.S. Forest Service, Pinchot founded Rickenbaker Justin Kitler Robert Bauer Beau SAF in 1900, where he served as president from 1900–1908 and again from 1910–1911. Washington Peachie Erwin Bubba Barker Michele Avant Landon

5  2 From the President: FRIENDS OF NEMOURS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION ($1,000 or more annually) Bill & Penny Barrett Larry & Diana Foster Bill & Ernie Lowrie Jenks & Linda Rhodes Colden & Patricia Battey Charlie & Becky Francis Daniel M. Lynch Bill Robinson The Stewardship Plan for Nemours Plantation Jamie & Nancy Beard Tom & Betsy Garrett William & Jeanne Maritz Bill & Kathey Sammons For the past 20 years, we have taken our responsibility as land stewards Nancy Benton & Frank E. Gibson David H. & Keri Maybank Drew & Pamela Scallan David Crockett Mary Louise Graff Pat & Suzanne McGarity Paul Schmidt very seriously and have tried to make management decisions based upon Tom & Robin Bessent John & Molly Gray Mike & Gigi McShane Gerry & Missy Schulze what most benefits our wildlife, wetland, and forest resources. This Alexis W. Bomar Robbie Harrison Anne Merline Henry B. Smythe approach has worked well but like any good organization there comes a G.E. & Lalla Lee Campsen Charles & Emily Hart Grey & Anne Minshew Stuart & Deborah Tenney Sam & Nancy Chesnutt Carl & Patricia Howk Stephen & Vicki Mix Karl & Angie Twenge time when you need to take a step back to review and evaluate what you Brad & Cindy Collins David Huguenin Bo & Peggy Mohr Charley & Martha Lynn have been doing, critically assess the results, and examine how you could be more efficient and William & Sarah D’Alonzo Tony & Chandler Ittleson Comer & Eleanor Morrison Webb effective. With the urging of the Foundation’s Board we did an internal, self-evaluation this year John & Margaret Dalton M. Christine Jacobs Lane & Lucille Morrison Dan & Jackie Wiggers Bill & Linda Demmer Francis Johnson Mills & Julia Morrison Mike & Chris Wiggers and developed a multi-year management plan that will take us into the future. We hired Gillie Edwin & Carol Devilbiss Jim & Nan Johnston Dean Moss & Wendy Zara Joseph & Terry Williams Croft, one of our graduate students who recently completed his Master of Science degree in Laura Donnelley Larry Koolkin Leslie duPont Myrin & John & Kaki Williamson wildlife biology, to lead and coordinate this project. Pete & Susan Dorn Norris & Mary Laffitte Douglas Freeman John & Francie Downing Robert & Susan LeFavi Steve & Marcia Parker

The management plan states: “The principal goal for the property is to promote quality habitat Bill & Paula Elliott Jessica Loring & Bob & Patricia Perry and best management practices for the entire suite of wildlife species we might encounter in the Johnny & Kristen Evans Larry Rasmussen Jake & Elizabeth Rasor Lowcountry of South Carolina.” This is a broad goal when you consider Nemours encompasses Bob Faith Lainey Lortz Mack Reese some 9,500 acres of very diverse habitats. Specifically, Nemours is made up of 1,002 acres of long leaf pine, 2,747 acres of other pine forest (primarily loblolly), 2,963 acres of mixed hardwoods, 511 DONORS acres of open lands and fallow fields, and 2,261 acres of fresh and brackish water wetlands. Bo & Ann Blessing Edmund & Rhett Hardy Jack & Catherine Lesher Kathleen Bollack Haven at New Riverside Dennis & Amelia McShane The task becomes even more daunting when you consider the infrastructure needed to access Harold Boney Albert R. Heyward Mills Bee Lane Foundation all parts of this landscape. While measuring various infrastructure resources, Gillie uncovered John & Jan Cope Coy & Ann Johnston Lloyd & Martha Newberry some truly overwhelming statistics (at least for me) including 77 miles of roads, 95 miles of Margie Edwards Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Palmetto Garden Club Barb Farley Conservancy, Inc. Brad & Barbara Reynolds firebreaks, 22 miles of dikes, 34 individual wetland impoundments, and 48 water control Steven Guy John Kulze Karon Sampson structures. Although 48 water control structures sounds adequate, our self-evaluation resulted in Connie Hipp Laura E. duPont Foundation Spring Island Trust our wanting to add to this count significantly over the next five years.

(See “From the President, Page 4) PARTNERS ACE Basin Wildlife Refuge Kiawah Island University of South Carolina Audubon Society Longleaf Alliance Beaufort THE NEMOURS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION Beaufort County Open Land Trust Lowcountry Open Land Trust U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clemson University The Nature Conservancy Yawkey Wildlife Center Clemson University’s , LLC, Community Colden Battey, Jr., Esq., Chairman Michael G. McShane, Vice Chairman Baruch Institute of Services Associates, Inc. Gerald H. Schulze, Secretary/Treasurer Coastal Ecology & Forest Science & The Salty Dog, Inc. Delta Waterfowl Association SOLO-ACE Partnership Our neighboring private Donnelley Foundation South Atlantic Flyway landowners William R. Barrett, Jr. James A. Beard. Jr. Linda A. Demmer Johnny Williamson Ducks Unlimited Working Group who provide project Ernie P. Wiggers, Ph.D., President/CEO John R. Cope, Esq., D. Min., Emeritus Land Trust S. C. Department of assistance and

The Flyway Foundation Natural Resources much appreciated STAFF Folk Land Management South Carolina Waterfowl cooperation. Fripp Island Resort Association Beau Bauer Robert Kitler Justin Rickenbaker James C. Kennedy Waterfowl & Spring Island Lowcountry Institute Landon Avant Michele Barker Bubba Erwin Peachie Washington Wetlands Conservation Center Spring Island Trust

2 6 (“ACE” continued) President: the From At the anniversary celebration, South Carolina State Senator Chip Campsen stated that the ACE Basin initiative began as, and continues to be, a refusal to destroy one of the most magnificent Plantation Nemours for Plan Stewardship The places. Quoting his father, he said it is a place where people can spend time “hugging Mother stewards land as responsibility our taken have we years, 20 past the For Nature”. He also quoted Archibald Rutledge, South Carolina’s first poet laureate, from Rutledge’s upon based decisions management make to tried have and seriously very 1956 book “Santee Paradise”: “Man has entered nature’s sanctuary, but his entry has been an This resources. forest and wetland, wildlife, our benefits most what incursion not a conquest.” Campsen said that while mankind has a long-standing presence in the a comes there organization good any like but well worked has approach ACE Basin, fortunately for us and generations to follow, that presence has made only a mark on you what evaluate and review to back step a take to need you when time the land, not destroyed or “conquered” this place entirely. and efficient more be could you how examine and results, the assess critically doing, been have Ironically, our presence, our “incursion”, in this case has saved it from destruction. year this evaluation - self internal, an did we Board Foundation’s the of urging the With effective. year management plan that will take us into the future. We hired Gillie Gillie hired We future. the into us take will that plan management year - multi a developed and While nature abounds in the ACE Basin, its preservation is not something that just naturally Croft, one of our graduate students who recently completed his Master of Science degree in in degree Science of Master his completed recently who students graduate our of one Croft, happened over time. It has taken, and will continue to take, a great deal of dedication, hard work project. this coordinate and lead to biology, wildlife and collaboration among organizations, private landowners and government entities. The management plan states: “The principal goal for the property is to promote quality habitat habitat quality promote to is property the for goal principal “The states: plan management The So, the next time you’re in the area, rejoice in the splendor, hug Mother Nature, and consider and best management practices for the entire suite of wildlife species we might encounter in the the in encounter might we species wildlife of suite entire the for practices management best and how blessed we are to still have a Lowcountry of South Carolina.” This is a broad goal when you consider Nemours encompasses encompasses Nemours consider you when goal broad a is This Carolina.” South of Lowcountry place to do so. Happy Anniversary some 9,500 acres of very diverse habitats. Specifically, Nemours is made up of 1,002 acres of long long of acres 1,002 of up made is Nemours Specifically, habitats. diverse very of acres 9,500 some Ace Basin Project and here’s to leaf pine, 2,747 acres of other pine forest (primarily loblolly), 2,963 acres of mixed hardwoods, 511 511 hardwoods, mixed of acres 2,963 loblolly), (primarily forest pine other of acres 2,747 pine, leaf many more (acres preserved)! wetlands. water brackish and fresh of acres 2,261 and fields, fallow and lands open of acres

The task becomes even more daunting when you consider the infrastructure needed to access access to needed infrastructure the consider you when daunting more even becomes task The uncovered Gillie resources, infrastructure various measuring While landscape. this of parts all of miles 95 roads, of miles 77 including me) for least (at statistics overwhelming truly some firebreaks, 22 miles of dikes, 34 individual wetland impoundments, and 48 water control control water 48 and impoundments, wetland individual 34 dikes, of miles 22 firebreaks, evaluation resulted in in resulted evaluation - self our adequate, sounds structures control water 48 Although structures. While the map at right is of course years. five next the over significantly count this to add to wanting our best viewed on a larger scale, 4) Page President, the “From (See hopefully it will provide an idea of just how much land is being FOUNDATION WILDLIFE NEMOURS THE conserved within the ACE Basin. DIRECTORS OF BOARD All the acreage in green is preserved land Chairman Vice McShane, G. Michael Chairman Esq., Jr., Battey, Colden Secretary/Treasurer Schulze, H. Gerald For reference, Walterboro is the gray mass in the center of the map. Williamson Johnny Demmer A. Linda Jr. Beard. A. James Jr. Barrett, R. William Beaufort and Port Royal are at the Emeritus Min., D. Esq., Cope, R. John President/CEO Ph.D., Wiggers, P. Ernie bottom center and Charleston is the large gray mass at the middle STAFF of the right edge. Rickenbaker Justin Kitler Robert Bauer Beau Map created by Melissa Strickland Washington Peachie Erwin Bubba Barker Michele Avant Landon

7  2 From the President: News & Notes... The Stewardship Plan for Nemours Plantation For the past 20 years, we have taken our responsibility as land stewards very seriously and have tried to make management decisions based upon what most benefits our wildlife, wetland, and forest resources. This approach has worked well but like any good organization there comes a time when you need to take a step back to review and evaluate what you have been doing, critically assess the results, and examine how you could be more efficient and effective. With the urging of the Foundation’s Board we did an internal, self-evaluation this year and developed a multi-year management plan that will take us into the future. We hired Gillie Croft, one of our graduate students who recently completed his Master of Science degree in wildlife biology, to lead and coordinate this project. Dr. Greg Yarrow’s Applied Wildlife Habitat Management The management plan states: “The principal goal for the property is to promote quality habitat class from Clemson University visited Nemours in July for and best management practices for the entire suite of wildlife species we might encounter in the some time in the field with our biologist Beau Bauer. Lowcountry of South Carolina.” This is a broad goal when you consider Nemours encompasses Photos by Dr. Yarrow. some 9,500 acres of very diverse habitats. Specifically, Nemours is made up of 1,002 acres of long leaf pine, 2,747 acres of other pine forest (primarily loblolly), 2,963 acres of mixed hardwoods, 511 acres of open lands and fallow fields, and 2,261 acres of fresh and brackish water wetlands. The task becomes even more daunting when you consider the infrastructure needed to access all parts of this landscape. While measuring various infrastructure resources, Gillie uncovered some truly overwhelming statistics (at least for me) including 77 miles of roads, 95 miles of firebreaks, 22 miles of dikes, 34 individual wetland impoundments, and 48 water control structures. Although 48 water control structures sounds adequate, our self-evaluation resulted in our wanting to add to this count significantly over the next five years.

(See “From the President, Page 4)

THE NEMOURS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Colden Battey, Jr., Esq., Chairman Michael G. McShane, Vice Chairman Gerald H. Schulze, Secretary/Treasurer

Lila Arnold of Lowcountry Raptors introduced her birds to a class of nearly 60 kindergarten William R. Barrett, Jr. James A. Beard. Jr. Linda A. Demmer Johnny Williamson students from Shanklin Elementary in November at Nemours. Above left, she talks about Ernie P. Wiggers, Ph.D., President/CEO John R. Cope, Esq., D. Min., Emeritus burrowing owls like the tiny, but full grown, “Digger”. Above right, “Breezy” the barred owl

STAFF patiently waits his turn to meet the students. We were also joined by Al Segars, recently retired from SCDNR, who spoke with the students about sea creatures and our director, Dr. Ernie Wiggers, with Beau Bauer Robert Kitler Justin Rickenbaker biologist Beau Bauer, took the students on a walk in the woods to see a huge eagle’s nest on the Landon Avant Michele Barker Bubba Erwin Peachie Washington property. Photos by Michele Barker. 2 8 The Urban Alligator Study by Clemson graduate student Anje Kidd-Weaver continues with President: the From additional alligators captured, tagged and fitted with transmitters in October. At left, Nemours Plantation Nemours for Plan Stewardship The biologist Beau Bauer injects a Passive Integrated For the past 20 years, we have taken our responsibility as land stewards stewards land as responsibility our taken have we years, 20 past the For Transponder (PIT) tag into an alligator’s jaw very seriously and have tried to make management decisions based upon upon based decisions management make to tried have and seriously very muscle while Anje records information and what most benefits our wildlife, wetland, and forest resources. This This resources. forest and wetland, wildlife, our benefits most what technician Jelsie Kerr helps hold the alligator still. approach has worked well but like any good organization there comes a a comes there organization good any like but well worked has approach PIT tags are similar to the chip veterinarians put in time when you need to take a step back to review and evaluate what you you what evaluate and review to back step a take to need you when time pets. We use them as a back-up marker to identify have been doing, critically assess the results, and examine how you could be more efficient and and efficient more be could you how examine and results, the assess critically doing, been have alligators that have previously been caught. evaluation this year year this evaluation - self internal, an did we Board Foundation’s the of urging the With effective. year management plan that will take us into the future. We hired Gillie Gillie hired We future. the into us take will that plan management year - multi a developed and Right, (left to right) Gillie Croft, Anje, Beau in degree Science of Master his completed recently who students graduate our of one Croft, and Dr. Thomas Rainwater, Research Scientist project. this coordinate and lead to biology, wildlife with Clemson University's Baruch Institute The management plan states: “The principal goal for the property is to promote quality habitat habitat quality promote to is property the for goal principal “The states: plan management The and Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center subdue an and best management practices for the entire suite of wildlife species we might encounter in the the in encounter might we species wildlife of suite entire the for practices management best and alligator so measurements can be taken and Lowcountry of South Carolina.” This is a broad goal when you consider Nemours encompasses encompasses Nemours consider you when goal broad a is This Carolina.” South of Lowcountry the transmitter attached. some 9,500 acres of very diverse habitats. Specifically, Nemours is made up of 1,002 acres of long long of acres 1,002 of up made is Nemours Specifically, habitats. diverse very of acres 9,500 some Photos by Pete Laurie 511 hardwoods, mixed of acres 2,963 loblolly), (primarily forest pine other of acres 2,747 pine, leaf wetlands. water brackish and fresh of acres 2,261 and fields, fallow and lands open of acres The task becomes even more daunting when you consider the infrastructure needed to access access to needed infrastructure the consider you when daunting more even becomes task The We always hope our visitors learn something when they uncovered Gillie resources, infrastructure various measuring While landscape. this of parts all come to Nemours, but sometimes we learn from them! of miles 95 roads, of miles 77 including me) for least (at statistics overwhelming truly some Susan Fogleman (left) an account executive with the Beau- control water 48 and impoundments, wetland individual 34 dikes, of miles 22 firebreaks, fort Regional Chamber of Commerce and a member of the in resulted evaluation - self our adequate, sounds structures control water 48 Although structures. Leadership Beaufort Class of 2019, made a case for oyster years. five next the over significantly count this to add to wanting our shell recycling during the group’s November field trip to 4) Page President, the “From (See Nemours. Among the reasons for recycling the shells, she said, are FOUNDATION WILDLIFE NEMOURS THE that one adult oyster filters up to 50 gallons of water daily, SCORE improving water quality in the process, and only 10 DIRECTORS OF BOARD A Community-based percent of the oysters harvested are recycled. Her Chairman Vice McShane, G. Michael Chairman Esq., Jr., Battey, Colden Oyster Restoration Program presentation centered around the SCORE program Secretary/Treasurer Schulze, H. Gerald operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural SCORE: http://score.dnr.sc.gov Williamson Johnny Demmer A. Linda Jr. Beard. A. James Jr. Barrett, R. William Resources. The South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Recycling: Enhancement program provides collection sites for the Emeritus Min., D. Esq., Cope, R. John President/CEO Ph.D., Wiggers, P. Ernie

http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/ shells and, with program volunteers, rebuilds oyster reefs STAFF oyster.html and monitors water quality near the reefs. For more Rickenbaker Justin Kitler Robert Bauer Beau Email: [email protected] information about the SCORE program, please see the information at left. Photo by Michele Barker Washington Peachie Erwin Bubba Barker Michele Avant Landon

9  2 NEMOURS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION 161 Nemours Plantation Rd. Yemassee, SC 29945

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