TNC adds to Black River Preserve

The Nature Conservancy began playing a role in the protection of the Black River Conservation Area in the 1980’s, and has returned focus to the area in 2010 with the purchase of a 440-acre tract or river frontage. With another federal grant in the process, chances are that another parcel will join their conservation portfolio in 2011, further bolstering the Black River Swamp Preserve.

The initial foray by TNC in the Black River Swamp Conservation Area was a 1,296-acre tract, purchased in the 1980’s and on November 15, 2010 TNC was able to purchase an adjacent 440-acre tract that consists of mature bottomland hardwood forests. This gives TNC roughly five miles of riverfront protection between Pine Tree landing and Stump House landing.

The 440-acre tract was formerly in the hands of an industrial timber company, before being sold to a TIMO, which divested the property to TNC. The purchase was made possible by a grant from NAWCA, or North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and is just one part of a phased project to connect more than 11,000 acres in the ecologically diverse Black River and Mingo Creek corridor of the greater Winyah Bay watershed.

“Land protection within this watershed will help recharge groundwater, control flooding, and filter nutrient and sediment run-off,” said Eric Krueger, director of science and stewardship for TNC. “This will improve water quality and habitat for people, wildlife, and even for our oyster restoration project 20 miles downstream in Winyah Bay.

“This corridor is considered one of the most important breeding areas in South Carolina for swallow-tailed kites,” said Dr. Maria Whitehead. “The Partners in Flight bird conservation program has a goal of having thirteen sites in the Southeastern U.S. where 100,000 acres or more of hardwoods have been protected. If you look at the Savannah River Preserve, the ACE Basin and now the Winyah Bay area – then South Carolina might one day have three sites that qualify.”

It’s exciting to know that portions of the Black River corridor near Andrews are being stewarded by Charleston-based leaders like Whitehead and LeSchack. There is a conserted conservation ethic in Carolina and this work will never be done. The true beauty of reality is that there are so many places worthy of protection, which are a real part of our historical legacy, even though there is a concerted conservation ethic in Carolina, this work will never be done.

Map courtesy of TNC - CLick on it for a larger view

To view past blog entries about kites click here.