Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
South Carolina Conservation Programs Annual Report
Fiscal Year – 2005
In South Carolina, Ducks Unlimited’s wetland conservation program continues to grow and gain popularity, especially land protection. We are finding and responding to excellent opportunities for wetland conservation on both private and public lands. Our habitat conservation priorities continue to be the protection, restoration, and enhancement of coastal, forested and riverine wetlands. Collectively, these programs have benefited in the conservation of over 119,000 acres of various wetland habitats since conservation activities began for South Carolina in 1989.
The following is a summary of the activities and accomplishments of the DU South Carolina Conservation Program for the period July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005.
South Carolina Public Lands
To date there are 21 completed projects that have conserved over 26,000 wetland acres on public lands throughout the state. Projects completed in FY05 include the Pee Dee Research and Education Center, which enhanced 100 acres of wetland habitat on Dargan’s Pond. Partners included DU, several major donors, Clemson University, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Additionally, DU partnered on a NAWCA grant with the South Carolina Audubon Society to acquire 2,443 acres along the Edisto River (Berkeley County). DU provided the value of two donated conservation easements as match. Also, DU continued its support of the Governor’s Wood Duck Box Program organized by the SC DNR and the Historic Ricefields Association. DU has contributed over $31,000 to this project since 2004. Construction on the Broad River Wildlife Management Area project (50 acres), which was to be completed in FY05, has been delayed due to flooding and will not be completed until FY06. Future projects include enhancement of 701 wetland acres on Cape Romain NWR and 100 acres of wetlands on Santee NWR. Informational requests on public land projects should be referred to Dale James, Regional Biologist (djames@ducks.org) or Craig LeSchack, Director of Conservation Programs (cleschack@ducks.org) at (843) 745-9110.
Lowcountry Initiative
South Carolina is where DU accepted its first easement in 1989. Since then, 91 easements perpetually protect approximately 84,607 acres of wildlife habitat in the Lowcountry and an additional 8,377 acres in the rest of the state. In FY05, we accepted donation of 14 properties that totaled over 14,000 acres. Easement opportunities will continue to expand as landowners become more aware of how to use this program as a means to protect the conservation value of their property. For more information on the Lowcountry Initiative, contact Badge Humphries, Director of Land Protection, at (843) 745-9110 or bhumphries@ducks.org.
Technical Assistance
DU staff provided private and public land technical assistance on 1,031 wetland acres in FY05.
Wetland acres protected, restored, and enhanced in FY05
Public Lands 100
Conservation Easements 14,919
Total 15,019
South Carolina Habitat Projects
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