Volume 1, Number 2 3,C5<° May, 1997 A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER ABOUT PROGRESS ALONG THE S.C. HERITAGE CORRIDOR Plan Will Protect Scenic Highway The Savannah River Scenic Highway's identity is firmly rooted in its rural landscapes "A scenic road is a special driving We all know a beautiful drive when forestry, property owners - together to experience because we're taking one. Maybe it's the majestic decide what must be done to insure the trees that line the road or the picture-perfect road doesn't lose those qualities that make of hundreds of view of fields with their time-worn bams or it scenic. little things - great maybe it's the apple orchards, one after "Think about it," says Means. "A vistas, of course, another, that woo us. Whatever the quali­ scenic road is a special driving experience but also the little ties, we are enchanted by scenic routes. because of hundreds of little things - great unexpected But preserving the state's scenic road­ vistas, of course, but also the little unexpect­ glimpses and ways won't just happen. In the current ed glimpses and features. Countless every­ environment of economic development, the day decisions - fixing guardrails, putting features. state's scenic drives cannot be preserved for up a sign, cutting trees, planting wildflow- future generations to enjoy without plan­ ers, preserving an old bam - all have an ning and cooperation. effect on the special quality of the views." That's why the South Carolina Unless there is an understanding of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism scenic value and a plan to preserve it, the and the South Carolina Department of quality of the highway could gradually Transportation have convened a team to erode. The planning team's assignment establish apian for the Savannah River includes making recommendations about Scenic Highway. This highway is a series of directional signs, ideas for heritage interpre­ roads that parallel the Savannah River and tation programs, and methods for market­ its lakes. It is part of the nature route for ing the area to visitors. the South Carolina Heritage Corridor. Means is concerned that members of Because of its scenic value, the two agencies the public may misunderstand the purpose are sponsoring a team of planners to help of the planning team. "People sometimes local communities figure out what is spe­ think we are going to be telling them what cial about the route and how to preserve it. they can and cannot do with their land and The team is preparing a corridor manage­ rightly get upset," she said. "We aren't ment plan for the Savannah River Scenic going to do that. This will not be a regula­ Highway. tory plan, but a collaborative one. We hope The team is lead by Mary Means, a it will spark landowners and community community planner best known as the cre­ groups to voluntarily undertake projects ator of the national Main Street program. that add to the area's scenic beauty." Also on the team are Jim Klein, a landscape The objective of the plan is to foster an architect who specializes in roadside envi­ active program of beautification, land con­ ronments, and Wilbur Smith Associates, an servation, roadway improvements, and engineering firm experienced with the other activities along this Upstate scenic state's highways, safety and engineering highway. issues. The team hopes to gather all levels of interest - business, civic, farming, Corridor Discovery • Volume 1 • Number 2 • May, 1997 The Jocassee Gorges: Stewardship and Opportunity In the far northwestern corner of South the South Carolina Legislature to secure about $10 Carolina's Heritage Corridor, a once-in-a-lifetime million, or one-third of the total purchase price. opportunity has been presented. Duke Power has What will this mean for nature-based tourism offered to sell 33,000 acres of the Jocassee Gorges to and the Heritage Corridor? Region 1 already has a the citizens of South Carolina. With peaks and reputation for outstanding natural features, such gorges, bald eagles and black bears, rare wildflow- as Table Rock State Park and the National Wild ers and cascading waterfalls, this wedge of the and Scenic Chattooga River. With the addition of Upstate protects unique natural resources that are these pristine lands, visitors will have further apart of South Carolina's heritage. opportunities to hike along mountain trails; fish in At a time when governments are reluctant to some of South Carolina's best trout streams; see buy land for protection, state and federal leaders rare plants, such as the Oconee Bell; and paddle in realize this is a unique opportunity and are racing South Carolina's mountain lakes, Lakes Jocassee to protect the land before it is lost to development. and Keowee. Visitors attracted to these sites and Joanna Angel demon­ "It is absolutely critical to our future that we activities will have a positive economic impact in strates her techniques to protect these beautiful natural resources to show­ this region as they rely on local merchants for visitors at the SC Artisans case what South Carolina is all about," Gov. David lodging, food and other services. Beasley said recently. The governor is working with Center in Waltervoro. Nature-based Tourism Workshop Set For July 15 SC Parks, Recreation & ' Tourism, SC Sea Grant Consortium, US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service and The Sewee Association are sponsoring a day-long Nature-Based Tourism Development work­ shop on July 15,1997 at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Scenic view of South Carolina's mountain lakes. Center near Awendaw, SC. This workshop will be open to people who are inter­ ested in developing a nature- based business or promoting Five Corridor Projects To nature-based tourism develop­ ment in their local area. There will be a fee-for Receive Legacy Trust Funding the workshop and more Five projects within the South Carolina Projects within the corridor that will receive details will be available soon. Heritage Corridor have been selected by the Legacy funding include: For more information call Trust Board to receive funding this year. Jennifer Stucker Rennicks at • The South Carolina Botanical Garden Southern Established in 1995 by the General Assembly, (803) 734-0344. Living Project, Clemson. The project is the future the Legacy Trust provides funding for conservation, site of the Region 1 Discovery Center, $210,000; historic preservation, and outdoor recreation pro­ • The Old Edgefield District Museum, Edgefield. jects. Selected projects can use the allocated funds, The project is the future site of the Region 2 matched with their own, for purchase or develop­ Discovery Center, $10,000; ment of sensitive heritage areas that promote the • The Burt-Stark Mansion Preservation Project, quality of life in South Carolina. A total of Abbeville, $12,500; $2,356,000 was distributed among 15 projects that range from the restoration of historic structures, • The Charleston County Courthouse Restoration, development of interpretive centers, and purchase of Charleston, $325,000; and heritage preserves. • Market Hall Restoration, Charleston, $325,000. CALENDAR OF EVENTS cAkp Abbeville Spring Festival 3 J'ljj Lowcountry Shrimp Festival, McClellanville 3 SOUfsl Handmade, SC Artisans Center, Walterboro 3,10,24 Confederate Memorial Day, Rivers Bridge State Park 9 ZAllOLttlA Heritage Day, Table Rock State Park 10 Liberty Fest, Liberty 10 AlinZAttZ Seneca Spring Heritage Festival 10 bMij11 Spring at Hampton, McClellanville 10 Mountain Heritage Day, Devils Fork & Oconee Station State Park 17 If you haven't visited the South Carolina Springtime in the Falls, Calhoun Falls 17 Artisans Center in Walterboro, don't wait another "HandMade" events at the SC Artisans Center give visitors an opportunity to view artists at work. minute! The center - a restored Victorian cottage in SC Native Plant Society Symposium, 24 the town's historic district -- is filled with crafts repre­ Clemson University senting more than 170 South Carolina artists from Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston 23 - June 8 all comers of the state. The variety includes every­ Piccolo Spoleto, Charleston 23 - June 8 thing from hand-blown glass, wood carvings, ceram­ ics, hasketry, weaving, photography, pottery, bead- Beech Island Heritage Day 24 work, stained glass, gourds, clocks, jewelry, furniture, Osprey Watch, Santee State Park 31 metal work, wood work, joggling boards, Pawleys Resource Ideas... hammocks, fiber arts, sculptures, quilting and hand­ made dolls, among other items. The center even has y^/ic goat's milk soap and aromatherapy candles made Developing Funding Sources from South Carolina grown herbs. Prices range Evening by Lake Jocassee, from $2 to several thousand dollars. All crafts are Projects vary in purpose, impact and audience, but one Devils Fork State Park 4, 11,18,25 denominator remains the same, every project needs some form of fund­ handmade by South Carolina residents. National Trails Day, Santee State Park 2 The center opened in Walterboro in 1994 to ing. More often than not, the funding needs are great and range from showcase and market the hand-crafted artwork of "bricks and mortar" to general strategic planning dollars. Greenways & Long Distance Trails Conference, our state's leading artists. In addition to the retail So how do you find funding for your project? Sewee Center 6 First and foremost, you must be totally committed to your project, outlet, there are interpretive displays, live demonstra- * Edisto Riverfest, Colleton State Park 12-15 tions and scheduled educational programs. believe in its purpose and have an organized plan of action. Your com­ 20-21 By promoting the indigenous crafts produced mitment will play a major role in the ability to "sell" your project to oth­ SC Festival of Flowers, Greenwood exclusively by South Carolina artists, the center cre­ ers, establishing much needed support.