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South Carolina WRP Success StoryThe John W. Carter Wetland Restoration Easement, Outdoor Classroom and Nature TrailA new wetland restoration project is underway that promises to display the wonders of South Carolinas flora and wildlife. The John W. Carter Wetland Restoration Easement, Outdoor Classroom and Nature Trail, located in Bamberg, SC, is a 140-acre Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) easement that will be available to students, organizations, clubs and other nature lovers in Bamberg and Colleton Counties and surrounding areas. Imagine wandering aimlessly through (and around) thousands of trees, several ponds, nature trails, wildflower patches, butterfly gardens and houses; not to mention taking a peek at the hundreds of plant and animal species, a couple which are threatened or endangered. As a-matter-of-fact, the federally endangered wood stork has already picked out a spot to call home. Joining forces with the Bamberg Soil and Water Conservation District to make this project a success are the Colleton Soil and Water Conservation District, Bamberg County, Colleton County, USDA-NRCS, SC Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, SC Waterfowl Association and the SC Forestry Commission. Landowner John W. Carter, Jr., brought the idea to life and is extremely proud about the upcoming venture, which will be handicapped accessible. "I wanted to do something that would encourage young people to learn more about, and enjoy, nature," he said. "This is the perfect opportunity to make the site available to anyone who wants to take advantage of it." When all is said and done, the outdoor classroom will include six shallow water fowl ponds, three butterfly gardens, three wildflower plots, two observation towers that will allow viewing of the entire area, an observation deck on one of the ponds, a nature trail and perimeter road, a supply hut, and a gravel parking area. In addition, plans are to have on hand supplies for catching butterflies, water insects, tadpoles, etc., for studying and materials and supplies for testing the quality and the pH of the pond water. Scattered throughout the site will also be wood duck nesting boxes (provided by the South Carolina Waterfowl Association), bluebird houses, butterfly houses, and bat houses, all strategically placed around the pond sites, butterfly gardens, wildflower plots, and trees. Plots of rice, Japanese millet, flowering crabapple trees, dogwood trees, and other flowering tress and shrubs and wildlife foods will be planted and grown to attract native animals and birds. Native species of laurel oak, willow oak, water oak and cypress have already been planted totaling 11,500 trees with about half being hand planted by volunteers. In addition, completed work includes defining basic roads, the nature trail and wild waterfowl ponds. Partnership efforts have extended to the Public Works Departments, of both Bamberg and Colleton Counties, having assisted in the early construction phases. When completed in the summer of 1999, the John W. Carter Restoration Easement, Outdoor Classroom and Nature Trail will be a wetland and wildlife wonderland!
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