National Park Service Park News U.S. Department of the Interior Boardwalk Talk Summer 2011 Superintendent’s Message Welcome to Congaree National Park! This summer edition We are conducting several children’s camps this summer, so of the Boardwalk Talk is full of great information to help you don’t be surprised if you encounter our Congaree Ecology make the most of your visit to Congaree. As summer gets Campers while you are out in the park! In addition, we have underway, the park is buzzing with activity. There are several quite a few summer interns and seasonal employees working in new ranger-guided programs being off ered, as well as many all park divisions. They are working to assist with camp, clear familiar ones-so check the schedule for one that interests you. park trails, lead guided walks and talks, remove exotic plants, Summer in South Carolina may mean heat and humidity, but it and photograph summer activities. It is my hope if you return also means wonderfully pleasant mornings and evenings, and to the park in a couple of years you will fi nd some of these the chance to witness the return of the synchronized fi refl ies! talented people working permanently here at Congaree! Ask rangers for more information on this natural phenomenon. Enjoy your visit, and as always please feel free to share with me With the intense daytime heat comes frequent spectacular your experiences at Congaree by leaving a message for me at afternoon thunderstorms, so always be sure to stop by the the Harry Hampton Visitor Center. If you are interested in be- Tracy Swartout, Park Superintendent Harry Hampton Visitor Center and check weather forecasts coming a park volunteer, please ask for more information from before you hike, paddle, or camp in the park. With proper one of the Congaree rangers. planning, the summer is a great time to get out and enjoy hiking or paddling in Congaree’s Wilderness. In fact, one of our most Safe travels, Canoe Tour popular guided programs is the free ranger-guided canoe tour. Reservations Reservations for canoe tours in the 3rd quarter of 2011 (July 1 - September 30) open June 15. Call (803) 776-4396 to Tracy Swartout make a reservation. See pages four and September Birding Programs fi ve for more information. Kathleen O’Grady, Park Ranger Throughout the year, park staff , researchers and citizen The goals for NAMC, according to the Cornell Lab of scientists collect information on bird species found in Conga- Ornithology, are, “to get a picture of the progress of migration, ree National Park. Join us on Saturday, September 10, at 8:30 obtain data and distribution of each species, provide an a. m. for the Big Bird Hike to look for migrating birds making opportunity for birders and non-birders to get outside and their way to their winter homes. On Sunday, September 18, join most of all to have fun!” If you are interested in participating us at 8:30 a.m. to participate in the Fall North American Migra- in the Big Bird Hike or the North American Migration Count, tion Count (NAMC). This count gives scientists a “snapshot” please sign up by calling (803) 776-4396. of migrating birds that are present during the fall season. Es- tablished in 1992, this bird census takes place in both September and May, which are peak migration times. Summer Tanager EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA YOUR EXPERIENCE ™ Emergencies Call 911 or contact a park ranger. Be aware that cell phone service is patchy throughout the park. To: To: Hopkins, SC 29061 SC Hopkins, 100 National Park Road Park National 100 Congaree National Park National Congaree National Park Service Things To Do U.S. Department of the Interior CAMPING obtain a complete list of fi shing regula- Congaree National Park The Longleaf Campground has fi re tions from the Harry Hampton Visitor rings, portable toilets, and picnic tables. Center or online at www.nps.gov/cong. Eight sites are available on a fi rst-come, The Boardwalk Talk is a publication of the fi rst-served basis. Each site is limited to WALKS AND TALKS National Park Service for the orientation eight campers. The Bluff Campground Rangers provide a variety of guided and education of visitors to Congaree provides picnic tables and fi re rings and walks, talks, campfi re programs, and National Park. is ideal for group camping. canoe tours. For a complete list of ranger The National Park Service was established guided interpretive programs, see pages on August 25, 1916, “to conserve the Camping is also permitted by hiking or four and fi ve. Listen and learn as rangers scenery and the natural and historic canoeing into the backcountry. To mini- give talks on various topics or take you objects and the wild life therein and to mize human impact in this designated on a hike through the old-growth forest. provide for the enjoyment of the same in Wilderness Area, campfi res are prohib- such manner and by such means as will ited in the backcountry. All campers are BIRDING leave them unimpaired for future genera- required to obtain a camping permit and Congaree National Park is designated tions.” In 1976, Congaree became part a list of regulations at the Harry Hamp- as a Globally Important Bird Area by of the National Park Service as Congaree ton Visitor Center prior to camping. Barred Owl the American Bird Conservancy. Many Swamp National Monument to preserve migratory birds can be found during the the largest remaining tract of old-growth CANOEING/KAYAKING Congaree and Wateree River Blue Trails. spring and fall migrations. Bring binocu- bottomland hardwood forest in the Traveling by canoe or kayak is a great Please check with rangers for maps and United States. It was re-designated as lars and ask rangers for a list of docu- way to enjoy this primeval Wilderness Congaree National Park in 2003. current conditions. mented species within the park. while fl oating past some of the tallest Superintendent trees in eastern North America. Paddling FISHING PICKNICKING Tracy Swartout is also a thrilling way to encounter the di- All waterways except Weston Lake are A picnic shelter with trash and recycling verse wildlife of the park including deer, open to fi shing with a valid South Caro- receptacles and grills is available on a Mailing Address otters, turtles, snakes, and raccoons. In lina fi shing license. Please do not use the Congaree National Park fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis at the Harry addition to adventures on Cedar Creek, 100 National Park Rd. Boardwalk to access waterways if you Hampton Visitor Center. Hopkins, SC 29061 opportunities are also available on the are carrying fi shing gear. Anglers may Phone (803) 776-4396 Beware of Poison Ivy Website Kate Hartley, Park Ranger www.nps.gov/cong Poison ivy (Taxicodendron radicans) is a WHAT HAPPENS WHEN EXPOSED TO DOES THE PARK REMOVE POISON IVY? woody vine that can cause an irritating POISON IVY? Poison ivy is not removed from the park Email skin rash, and can be found throughout Most people develop a red, itchy rash because it is native to South Carolina and [email protected] the forest in Congaree National Park. It that may be localized or may develop as is a valuable part of the ecosystem. Dur- Operating Hours is important to know how to identify and huge red sores all over the body. Even ing spring you will see small white fl ow- Congaree National Park is open 24 hours avoid contact with all parts of the plant. when the rash is small it can cause in- ers on the vine, and by summer you will a day, 7 days a week. The Harry Hampton Here are some of the most frequently tense itching. The American Academy of see clusters of white berries. The berries Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to asked questions and answers about poi- Dermatology recommends seeing a doc- are an important food source for song- 5:00 p.m. and open until 7:00 p.m. on son ivy: tor if the rash covers a large portion of birds who have a home in Congaree, and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during your body, you have large blisters, or are for those passing through on their Daylight Savings Time. The visitor center WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? unable to sleep. migration journeys. is closed on December 25th. Learning to identify poison ivy is the best Fees way to avoid contact. It has shiny green Please enjoy your visit to Congaree Congaree National Park does not charge compound leaves that grow in groups National Park and don’t go home with an admission fee and all programs are of three leafl ets. The leafl ets vary from a rash. Beware of poison ivy. For more free of charge. toothed to wavy, lobed or smooth. Re- information visit the American Academy member: “Leafl ets three, let it be.” Vines of Dermatology website at http://www. Climate aad.org Winter: low 30s to high 60s on the forest fl oor will have small leaf- Spring: low 50s to high 80s lets, while large mature vines with large Summer: low 60s to high 90s (& humid) leafl ets can be found clinging onto tree Fall: low 50s to high 80s trunks with many small aerial roots, giv- ing the vine a dark, “hairy” appearance. Firearms in the Park Eastern National Remember: “If it’s hairy, it’s scary.” A new federal law allows people who HOW CAN I GET POISON IVY? can legally possess fi rearms under ap- Urushiol oil contained in the plant can plicable federal, state, and local laws, cause a rash on skin.