U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service South Carolina Lowcountry Refuge Complex Life in the Wild June 1, 2009 News from Cape Romain, Ernest F. Hollings Volume 1 ACE Basin, Santee and Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuges From Sea Breeze to Cypress Knees South Carolina Lowcountry Refuge Complex is home to four national wildlife refuges, each offering a unique recreational experience for Lowcountry visitors. From sea breeze to cypress knees, Lowcountry Refuges are yours to enjoy. Osprey at sunset, photo: © Marc Epstein Cape Romain NWR is 30 minutes Headquartered near Adams Run, the Waccamaw NWR, established in 1997, north of Charleston on Highway 17. Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin NWR is the newest refuge in the Refuge Accessible only by boat, the 66,267-acre was established in 1990 to protect and Complex. Refuge lands currently total refuge extends 22 miles along the coast, manage for migratory birds, native in excess of 22,000 acres, including the a dazzling array of barrier islands, rich species, endangered and threatened diverse wetland habitats and species rich salt marsh, sparkling tidal creeks, sandy species, and to provide educational and riverine ecosystems of the Waccamaw beaches and dunes, and maritime forest. recreational opportunities on 11,815 and Pee Dee Rivers. Outdoor sports Approximately 29,000 acres of the refuge acres. The Refuge supports a diversity enthusiasts can enjoy hunting, fishing, are designated as Class I Wilderness. of habitats including forested wetlands, kayaking and hiking, and nature Cape Romain NWR is known throughout forested uplands, salt marsh, brackish photography at the newly opened Cox North and South America for its vital marsh, and managed impoundments. Ferry Lake Recreation Area. habitat for 18-22 species of shorebirds. The refuge’s sandy beaches also support The 15,159 acre Santee NWR was Waccamaw NWR will also be opening the greatest density of threatened established in 1941 on the shores of Lake a new state-of-the-art environmental loggerhead sea turtles north of Florida. Marion to alleviate the loss of wildlife and education center in the fall of 2009 on their habitats by the creation of the Lake U.S. Highway 701 between Georgetown Marion and Lake Moultrie reservoirs. and Conway. Come out and visit With an original focus on migratory ducks Waccamaw NWR. You may catch a and geese, today it is indeed a place for glimpse of a Swallow-tailed Kite, one of wildlife, serving a larger, national role South Carolina’s state-listed endangered as a sanctuary for migratory songbirds, birds. other wildlife, and for species of special concern. The refuge has a seven mile wildlife drive, canoe/ kayak trails, miles of hiking opportunities, and offers public hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, Wacammaw Education Center, photography, interpretive-educational, photo: Ray Paterra and research programs. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Birds, Butterflies, Volunteers Protect and Buntings at Seabird Nesting Santee NWR Habitat For the second year, agencies and A team of volunteers led by Refuge friends worked together to celebrate and Biologist Sarah Dawsey recently spent experience some of South Carolina’s a few days on Cape Romain Refuge’s treasured natural areas. The Santee islands to protect seabird nesting habitat. Birding and Nature Festival was a huge George Leydic and Jim Hawkins, success with over 190 people attending 27 at left, stopped posting signs for a different workshops and fieldtrips from photo: Sarah Dawsey moment during the busy day to allow kayaking on the Congaree National Park, a photograph on Marsh Island. Cape to seeking the secretive painted bunting Things to Do Romain NWR holds the distinction on the Santee NWR, and fossil hunting n Visit all four refuges on-line at of being one of only twenty Western with South Carolina’s famed naturalist, caperomain.fws.gov to scope out a day’s Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Sites Rudy Mancke, in the giant Cement worth of fun in the sun. of International Importance in both Quarry near Harleyville. North and South America. The refuge’s n Ride the Coastal Expeditions Ferry undeveloped barrier islands are favored Offering unique opportunities to to Bulls Island where you can hike six by Black Skimmers, Least Terns, and 18- residents, it also attracted many folks miles of undeveloped beach and enjoy 22 species of shorebirds. from other states wanting to hear and the peaceful solitude of an undeveloped take field trips with keynote speaker, barrier island. Pete Dunne, Director of the Cape May n Explore the Grove House, one of only Bird Observatory, and the internationally three antebellum mansions in the ACE known photographer, Len Rue. Basin area to survive the Civil War. n Canoe the Waccamaw River. You might see a swallow-tailed kite. n Visit the Sewee Center’s endangered Red Wolf enclosure. Fast Facts n An alligator’s stomach contains From left to right: Mark Purcell, Kevin gastroliths, small stones that are useful Godsea, Raye Nilius, Marc Epstein, The success of the festival is an Craig Sasser on Boneyard Beach, photo: in grinding up food. This is important Garry Tucker. achievement of true dedication by because gators swallow their food whole. local volunteers and agencies working together. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife SC Lowcountry Refuge Complex Service, SC Audubon, National Park Contact Information Service, SC State Parks and Recreation, Raye Nilius SC DNR, Santee Cooper, Santee Cooper Project Leader, SC Lowcountry Refuges Country Tourism, Orangeburg County, 843/928 3264 Town of Santee, and many individual [email protected] volunteers worked diligently to support Kevin Godsea the festival’s goal to increase public Refuge Manager, Cape Romain NWR awareness and appreciation of our 843/928 3264 national and state natural treasures and [email protected] heritage in South Carolina. American alligator, © Ricky Wrenn Mark Purcell Refuge Manager, ACE Basin NWR n ACE Basin NWR’s Grove Plantation is The festival highlighted South Carolina’s 843/889 3084 one of only three antebellum mansions “midlands” natural beauty by having [email protected] 23 different guides showcase birds, in the ACE Basin area to survive the butterflies, wildlife, and natural history Civil War. Marc Epstein on refuges, parks, and other conservation Refuge Manager, Santee NWR lands in the Santee Lakes focus area over n Santee NWR has the highest density 803/478 2217 a three-day period in April. The festival’s of nesting Painted Buntings in SC. You [email protected] can catch a glimpse of them at Santee success and attendance is testimony to Craig Sasser NWR beginning in April. the importance and value of our wildlife Refuge Manager, Waccamaw NWR heritage to people, even in today’s slower n Loggerhead sea turtles return to the 843/527 8069 economy. beach where they hatched to lay their [email protected] own eggs..