Botany Bay Plantation on Edisto Island was in private hands for hundreds of years until a transition to state-ownership last year when Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was opened to the public in July 2008. Since that time over 47,600 people have visited the WMA and the month of April set a new record for 6,863 visitors in one month. With the upcoming summer tourist season in mind, DNR has made the management decision to close access to Botany Bay WMA on tuesdays. Wildlife research will still occur on this day unimpeded by auto and pedestrian traffic, and the volunteer network that assists visitors will have a day off from 'work.' Botany Bay WMA is an ecologically and historically significant property and Lowcountryoutdoors.com was one of the first draw hunters to deer hunt this property in the fall of 2008. Conservation of this maritime gem on Edisto Island is imperative, and DNR is doing the best they can to steward it.
Photos By Jeff Dennis: the welcome sign at Boatany Bay, a live oak in the maritime forest, the historic beehive well that slaves used as a water source, and cactus with a beetle demonstrating the range of life present on Botany Bay WMA
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