Woodbury and Hamilton Ridge Forestlands

The forests of the southern United States are some of the most biologically diverse in the country—and some of the most threatened. When managed sustainably, these working forests—both public and private—protect biodiversity, wildlife habitat, water supplies, recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and jobs for more than 1.6 million Americans.

The quality of life in our state is going to be an increasingly important part of South Carolina's competitive edge when it comes to the global race for jobs and investment. The closing on these tracts --along with our ongoing efforts to protect other ecologically significant land in the state -- is an important step toward preserving the way we look and feel as a state and preserve our competitive advantage with respect to our quality of life.

- Governor Mark Sanford

Summary

The Conservation Fund and its partners, the State of South Carolina and The Nature Conservancy completed the largest habitat conservation purchase in state history with the acquisition of 39,000-acres of working forestland, recreational lands and wildlife habitat in 2006.

Challenge

The continued fragmentation of Southern forests because of subdivision, land use changes and development is one of the most pressing threats facing the American landscape today.

Solution

The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy and the State of South Carolina agreed to purchase two forest parcels, 25,668-acres in Marion County known as the Woodbury tract and 13,281-acres in Hampton County known as Hamilton Ridge, from International Paper. The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy jointly acquired the properties in 2006, and an undivided interest in the land was immediately transferred to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Earlier in the year, Governor Mark Sanford signed into law the Conservation Bond Act allowing the South Carolina Heritage Trust to borrow about $32 million for forest acquisition across the state. The DNR utilized $10 million from the S.C. Conservation Bank and approximately $20 million from the Heritage Trust bond bill legislation to acquire a majority interest in the property. The remaining interest will be purchased when additional federal funds become available.

Results

In addition to providing recreational opportunities, these forests protect large tracts of habitat for several important wildlife and aquatic species, including such birds as the Kentucky warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, rusty blackbird, swallow-tailed kite, Swainson's warbler and others. The protection of these tracts will provide river corridor protection to 27 miles on the Great Pee Dee, 11 miles on the Little Pee Dee and eight miles on the Savannah River. Portions will also remain in timber production as working forests, under sustainable management, thus continuing to provide jobs and maintain the local economy.