Vol. 3, No.1 Newsletter of the Ashepoo, Combahee, Edisto Basin Winter 1993

ACE Project Protects Over 50,000 Acres

HE ACE BASIN Pro­ject is a cooperative effort among land­owners and private and public conser-vation agencies to

protect important habitats in the watershed of the Ashepoo, Com­bahee and Edisto (ACE) rivers including St. Helena estuary and sound. The project area, identified as one of the highest priority regions for protection under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, encompasses 350,000 acres of marsh, swamp and upland in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton and Hampton counties. Administered by the ACE Basin Task Force (Private landowners, Ducks Un­limited, S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), the project has protected over 50,000 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats. (See table page 5.)

Donnelley WMA South Carolina'sACE Basin project,

private benefactors and a new state wildlife management area, formerly known as Mary's Island Plantation, drew high praises during a September dedicationceremonyforthe Donnelley Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Green Pond. Local, state and national politicians, private conservation and government officials, and many private citizens attended the dedication.

In attendance were: U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond; Congressman Arthur Ravenel; State Representative J.P. Harrelson; ACE Basin Task Force Chairman Charles Lane; Matthew B.

Connolly Jr., chief executive officer of Ducks Unlimited; Secretary of the Army Michael P.W. Stone; John Tomke, vice president of manufacturing for DowElanco; and Dr. James A. Timmer­man Jr., executive director, S.C, Wild­life and Marine Resources De­partment.

The dedication was held to honor Dorothy Donnelley andherlate husband Gaylord of Liberty­ville, 111., for their vision and commit-ment to conserva- the Army. (SCWMRDpholohyTtdBorg.)

tionin the ACE Basin

Donnelley Dedication: Among the many who attended the recent Donnelley WMA dedication; (left to right) Matthew B. Connolly Jr., chief executive officer, Ducks Unlimited; Dr. James A. Timmerman Jr., executive director, S.c. Wildlife and Marine.Resources Department; Mrs. Gaylord Donnelley; Senator Strom Thurmond; Michael P. W. Stone, Secretary of

and to recognize Ducks Unlimited for taking the lead role in protecting this strategic tract. Mr. Donnelley died in April 1992. (See ACE CURRENT EVENTS, Summer 1992.)

In September 1992, Ducks Unlimit­ed transferred management of the 8,OOO-acre property to the S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department (SCWMRD), bringing a key ACE Basin property into the public domain. "We in the wildlife department are excited about the opportunity to manage this important property," said John Frampton, chief of game forSCWMRD. "We are especially pleased that we will be able to offer public access and recreation on the property thanks to the good will of Ducks Unlimited."

In honor of the Donnelley's contributions to the ACE Basin Project, the property was renamed the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. Ducks Unlimited bought the property as part of the ACE initiative in 1990 and financed it through a complicated network of organizations and funding sources.

Cooperating with Ducks Unlimited in the Mary's Island purchase were: The Nature Conservancy, The National Wild Turkey Federation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DowElanco Chemical, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North American Wetlands Conservation Council and S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department.

Senator Thurmond, who was instrumental in obtaining federal funding for the project, said, "The ACE Basin and the Donnelley Wildlife ManagementArea are dynamic projects and unique partnerships among property owners, conservationists and government. This is a tremendous project and we are proud ofit. You are truly witnessing the beginninq of" a model project for the whole nation.

Donnelley WMA encompasses a unique diversity of both wetland and upland habitat types including: man­aged rice fields, backwaters, forested wetlands, tidal marshes, agricultural

"Donnelley" continued on page 2

"Donnelley," continued from page 1

lands and a variety of upland forest types. The South Carolina Wildlife a~d Marine Resources Department wIll manage the property under a multiple use concept to achieve the following specific objectives: 1) to protect and enhance the diverse wetland and upland habitats for waterfowl, other migratory bir~s, nongame. a,nd endangered specIes and other wIldlIfe; 2) to provide quality hunting opportunities for sportsmen; 3). to maintain and \ or restore representatIve natural plant communities; and 4) to provide a site for public visitation, comprehensive research and land management demonstration programs for waterfowl, upland game and non-game and endangered specie~.. ,

Speaking of Ducks UnlImIted s involvement and the overall cooperative effort in protecting the Mary's Island property, Matthew Connolly said, "I think this project exemplifies what is right and best about America. It epitomizes what this great country is about because it is a partnership, a partnership about building ourselves a better place to live, to work, to recreate and to come to for rekindling our spirits. This is the conclusion of a very important chapter of our game plan, to have this property go into the public hands of South Carolina, where people can come and enjoy this property."

In a separate December ceremony, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) dedicated The Smith Tract as part of the Donnelley WMA. This 332 acre area was purchased with $284,000 raised through the efforts of local S.c. NWTF Chapters. "This important project recognizes, celebrates and exemplifies the qualities of volunteer and professional conservation partnership, stewardship of the land and our wildlife resources. People from all walks of life, especially hunters, can take great pride in having provided the valuable financial support that will help insure that the Smith Tract will be preserved for the public to enjoy. It is the hope of the National Wild Tur~ey Federation that the gobble of the wIld turkey, the highball of the mallard and a host of the wild sounds will echo across the ACE Basin forever and a day," said Rob Keck, executive vice president of NWTF.

For information about Donnelley WMA call 844-8957. ..AS! 2

National Estuarine Research Reserve and Wildlife Refuge

In a joint dedication ceremony . held in early October, the ACE Basm National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) received formal designations. The ceremony, held at thE Bonny Hall Unit oftheACE BasinNWR represents the consummation of effortf to establish major federally recognized conservation sites in the Basin.

Estuarine Research Reserve

Established under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the NERR program is ad.ministered by t~e National Oceamc and AtmospherIc Administration (NOAA). On the state level, the program is administered by the S.c. Coastal Council, which has selected SCWMRD to manage the ACE BasinNERR.

Designation of the ACE reserve represents the 20th site of NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Information gathered from research in the reserve will be made available for improved understanding, appreciation and management of the ACE Basin and other coastal ecosystems. The ACE Basin joins 19 other reserves around the country as a part of a national program of protected estuarine areas managed for research and education.

Upon designation, the ACE Basin NERR received a $45,000 NOAA award for operations and manag­ement. The award provides for the S.c. Wildlife & Marine Resources Department to implement the Final Management Plan, which was approved by NOAA earlier in the year. Copies of this plan are available free of charge from the manager, ACE Basin NERR, P.O. Box 12559, Charleston, S.c. 29422. Other information maybe obtained by calling 762-5062.

The Reserve staff consists of employees of the state wildlife department's Marine Reso~rces Division. Reserve Manager MIchael McKenzie deals with administration,

ACE Current Events

ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Designated: Governor Carroll Campbell officially announces the designation of the ACE Basin Reserve. Looking on are Marion Burnside (left), chairman of the S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission and Dr. Wayne Beam, executive director of the S.c. Coastal Council. (SCWMRD photo by PlUllip Jones)

federal awards, acquisition and overall management of various reserve programs. Research and monitoring projects are coordinat.ed by ~r. Elizabeth L. Wenner, marme SCIentISt at the division's Marine Resources Research Institute in Charleston. Joy Smith, an education specialist with the division, coordinates field trips, cruises, marsh walks and outreach activities.

An advisory committee has been organized to provide for mO.re effective coordination and cooperatIon among groups and individuals involved and interested in the ACE Basin NERR. The committee consists of representatives from state, local and federal governments, conservation groups, traditional users, adjacent landowners, the timber industry and private citizens.

Some 7,400 acres, five islands in the lower Basin, have been selected as a core area for formal protection under the national program. The overall reserve, including the core and buffer zones, encompass 134,710 acresofope,n water, tidal marsh and uplands assoCI­ated with the St. Helena Sound Estuary. (See project area map, page 4) .3t

S.C. Wildlife and Marine Resources Dept.

Wildlife Refuge

T HE ACE BASIN NWR, ad­ministered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently

encompasses some 3,400 acres in Beaufort and Charleston counties. The Nature Conservancy has been working cooperatively with the Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land.

To date, The Conservancy has made all initial purchases of property for the refuge. Two tracts, Bonny Hall Club and Grove Plantation, have been transferred to the Service. Another parcel, Bonny Hall Plantation recently was purchased and will be added to the refuge in early 1993. (See project area map page 4.)

Established to protect and enhance habitat for waterfowl, nongame and endangered species and other wildlife, the refuge may ultimately include 18,000 acres; 11,500 acres along the Combahee River in Colleton and Beaufort counties and 9,500 acres along the South Edisto in Charleston County. Properties to be included in the refuge will be purchased from willing sellers at fair market values.

Speaking of the significance of the ACE Basin NWR, Refuge Manager Donny Browning said, "The ACE is one of the Fish and Wildlife Service's highest priorities under the North America Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP). The diversity of habitat types will help the service meet its objectives: to manage for migratory

S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Dept.

ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge Dedicated: U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings presents a grant award from the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund to Refuge Manager Donny Browning (center) during the recent dedication of the ACE Basin Refuge. Also present were David Olsen (left), assistant Fish and Wildlife Service director for refuges and Wildlife, and Dr. James A. Timmerman Jr., executive director of the S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department. During the ceremonies, Senator Hollings was recognized as being instrumental in securing funding for both the National Wildlife Refuge and the National Estuarine Research Reserve. (SCWMRD Plwlo by Phillip Jon •• )

waterfowl, endangered species and other native wildlife species; to assist in the preservation, protection and enhancement of a nationally significant wetland ecosystem; and to provide compatible opportunities

ACE Current Events

for public education and recreation." The ACE Basin NWR, recipient of a

$326,400 grant from the NorthAmerican Wetlands Conservation Fund, was one of three refuges nationwide to receive such a grant. The grant certificate was presented to Refuge Manager Browning by U.S. Senator Hollings during the joint ceremonies officially dedicating the ACE Basin NWR and NERR. "Funding through this grant will be used to enhance the refuge's existing managed wetlands, benefiting a variety of wetland­dependent species," said Browning.

The grant marked the 200th grant issued by the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund since 1991. The fund was established to provide matching grants for projects in support of the NAWMP and other wetlands projects that benefit a variety of wetland­dependent species. Funds come from Congressional appropriations, interest accrued on excise taxes from the sale of arms and ammunition and waterfowl violation fines. The NAWMP is a continent-wide effort among public and private organizations in Canada, Mexico and the United States to conserve wet­lands and wildlife populations. ..."'t

3

4

SITE DESIGNATIONS 1 Hope Plantation 2 Willtown Plantation 3 Bear Island WMA 4 Botany Bay Island 5 NERR Core 6 Donnelley WMA 7 Proposed Protection (Fed) 8 Hunting Island State Park 9 Edisto Beach State Park

10 Cheeha-Combahee Plantation 11 NWR (Edisto Unit) 12 NWR (Combahee Unit) 13 Pon Pon Plantation .......... ACE Project Boundary :t~t: NERR Buffer Boundary II Proposed for Federal Protection :~~, Conservation Easements a;s Federal/State Protected Areas

ACE BASIN PROJECT AREA f\ To lola Ilerboro

ling Island ;:: Areas Protected by Conservation Group DU and/or TNC

ACE Current Events

The Garden Club of South Carolina, West Lowcountry District, recently completed a landscaping project at the entrance of Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. The Garden Club of South Carolina has endorsed the ACE Basin Project. On hand to dedicate the project were (left to right), John Phillipps (ret.) former man­ager of the Mary's Island Plantation; Jolm Frampton, chief of game for the state wildlife department; Mrs. J. Gordon Farmer, president of The Garden Club of S.c., Inc.; State Representative J.P. Harrelson (whose Wife Hazel, notpictured, is West Lowcountry District director for the garden clubs); and Coy Johnston, rep­resenting Ducks Unlimited. (SCWMRD plw!o by

Ted Borg!

S.C. Wildlife and Marine Resources Dept.

ACE Basin Bird Count Yields 145 Species

B IRDWATCHERSfromaroundthe state tallied 145 species of birds, 12 more than last year, during

the ThirdAnnualACE Basin Christmas Bird Count held Jan 3. Six field parties, each lead by an experienced bird watcher, combed the 177 square miles in the standard 15-mile diameter circle centered at

~?:;~ -.~~

the Ashepoo River bridge on S.c. Hwy 26 near Green Pond.

II Although the 1993 Count represents a record high number of species identified in the third consecutive year of the ACE Basin Bird Count, the 45 participants recorded no rare or unusual species," said Pete Laurie of the S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department. The Department provided a boat to take one group into the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve which improved coverage of the area.

Christmas Bird Counts, sponsored by the NationalAudubonSociety, began in 1900 with 25 counts mostly in the Northeast. Today more than 42,000 Americans participate each year in about 1550 counts held across the continent.

These counts provide a nation-wide data base used to determine long-term changes in species abundance, range shifts and migration patterns. About 10 counts are held annually in South Carolina.

Each count is conducted during a 24-hour period between Dec. 15 and Jan. 3 within a designated 15-mile diameter circle. The ACE Basin count circle was drawn to include a variety of habitats within the basinoftheAshepoo, Combahee and Edisto Rivers in lower Colleton County.

IIWe very much appreciate the excellent cooperation we received from the owners and managers of many private plantations within the ACE Basin," said David Chamberlain of Charleston, one of the organizers of the count. "Countparticipants were given full access to many excellent areas not generally open to the public." a S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Dept.

Protected Habitats In The ACE Basin Acquired Conservation Sites

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area (est. 1953) Springfield Marsh (1987) Sampson Island (1988) Cut Marsh (1989)

ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge Bonny Hall Club (1990) Grove Plantation (1991) Bonny Hall Plantation (1992)

ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Warren Island (1988) Big Island (1988) Ashe Island (1989) Beet Island (1989) Bolders Island (1990)

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area

Conservation Easements Botany Bay Island (1987) Hope Plantation (1988) Willtown Bluff Plantation (1990) Church Tract (1990) Cheeha-Combahee Plantation (1991) Richardson Tract (1992) Pon Pon Plantation (1992)

TOTAL

Thc ..... Nllture/fiT OlllSC/1~1I/CY

ACE BASIN BOOK PUBLISHED - South Carolina's Wetland Wilderness: The ACE Basin by Charleston Photographer Tom Blagden, Jr. represents a pictorial tribute illustrating the scenic beauty and wildlife of the Basin. Cosponsored by Fuji Photo Film USA, Inc. and Westcliff Publishing Company, the book is designed to increase appreciation of the Basin and raise funds to protect its rare plants and animals and their habitats. Blagden, a trustee of The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina, conceived of the idea for the book. Books may be obtained by contacting The Nature Conservancy (803-254-9049) or Ducks Unlimited (803-844-8957). Pictured, Tom Blagden with his recently published photographer's view of the ACE Basin. (SCWMRD Pholo)

ACE Current Events

Acres

12,021

3,467

7,288

8,048

23,459

54,283

5

Biological Inventory Provides Information on Basin's Natural Plant Communities

D URING THE PAST three years, The Nature Conservancy has conducted a comprehensive

biological inventory project within the ACE Basin watershed. As a significant amount of information on animal species and populations previouslywas documented through the S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department's Nongame and Heritage Trust Program, the project focused on the identification and classification of natural plant communities.

Conducted during the summers of 1990-1992, Conservancy biologists, consultants and student interns used aerial photo interpretation, aerial reconnaissance and on-site ground surveys to collect detailed plant community data. Specific sites surveyed during the three inventory seasons included: Ashe Island, Ashepoo Plantation, Bailey Island, Bear Island WMA, Beet Island, Big Survey Plantation, Calfpen Swamp, Cane Branch, Cheeha-Combahee Plantation, Edisto Island, Donnelley WMA, Great Swamp, Hickory Hill Depressions, Hunting Island State Park, Lavington Plantation, Lower Salkehatchie Swamp, Myrtle Grove Plantation, Old Island, Otter Island, Pine Island, Pon Pon Plantation, Sandy Point Plantation, Snuggedy Swamp /Deer Creek, South Hutchinson Island, Upper Ashepoo River, Upper Combahee River, Vineyard Island and Willtown Bluff Plantation.

"The Nature Conservancy genuinely appreciates the cooperation of numerous private landowners in allowing the Conservancy's inventory teams access to their properties during the course of the project," said Patrick H. Morgan, executive director of the Conservancy's South Carolina chapter. "We also thank the S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Ducks Unlimited and Westvaco Corporation

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Atlantic Coastal Plain Depression Meadow Pond: These wetland communities often support rare plant species such as pond spice and provide important habitat for a variety of game and nongame wildlife species. (SCWMRD photo by Ted Borg)

for providing facilities, equipment and personnel required to conduct the inventory. The collective support of private landowners together with the wildlife department and these private organizations provided invaluable assistance throughout the project."

The Conservancy gratefully acknowledges financial support provided by the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, the Coastal America Program/National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and private individuals," Morgan added.

"Results of the inventory docu­mented an exceptional diversity of high quality wetland and upland natural communities," Morganstated. General habitat types surveyed and some representative associated communities include: 1) Forested Uplands - wet longleaf pine flatwoods, beech­magnolia forest, South Atlantic inland maritime forest, spruce pine mixed hardwoods forest and southern mixed hardwoods forest; 2) Forested Wetlands - sweetgum-mixed bottomland oak forest, bald cypress-swamp blackgum swamp and bald cypress-water tupelo swamp; 3) Marshes - saltmarsh, salt shrub thicket, salt flat, brackish marsh and tidal freshwater marsh; 4) Islands - South Atlantic barrier island forest, Atlantic maritime dry grassland,

ACE Current Events

barrier island pond complex and temperate shell midden woodland; 5) Peatlands - streamhead pocosin, pond pine woodland, bay forest and high pocosin.

A total of 40 individual natural communities and 10 rare plant species were identified during the project. "These results become even more significant when it is recognized that other community types certainly occur in the basin but were not documented due to time and logistical constraints associated with inventory work in extensive natural areas such as the ACE Basin," Morgan emphasized.

"The overall results of the inventory will contribute to the attainment of the ACE Basin Project's fundamental conservation objectives," concluded Morgan. "Detailed information on natural plant communities will increase our understanding of the functional role of these communities in main­taining the remarkable wealth of wildlife, fisheries and natural area values found in the Basin. Such information will assist in the development of both public and private sector habitat conservation and management strategies thatprotect the integrity ofthe Basin' secosystems while ensuring the continuation of compatible traditional uses." a

s.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Dept.

Wildlife Habitat Protection

ACE Plan Is Expanded Statewide

N INEGEOGRAPHICareasofSouth Carolina are identified by state wildlife officials forthe purpose

of large-scale protection of wildlife habitats statewide.

Officials in each "focus area" will draft protection plans modeled on the well-known ACE Basin Habitat and Protection Plan, a major habitat conservation effort that has shown much success in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

"The ACE Basin project has shown so much promise based on private sector and government cooperative efforts and partnerships that it is only logical that we expand the concept statewide," said John Frampton, chief ofgamefortheS.C. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department. Protection of private properties and traditional uses is integral to any ofthe plans, he added. According to Frampton, focus area plans will concentrate on wetland and waterfowl habitats, endangered species protection and enhancement of habitats for both game and nongame species.

Frampton said the eight new" focus areas," situated throughout South

ACE ADDITION - With Governor Campbell looking on, representatives from the state wildlife department accepted a check from the National Wild Turkey Federation and the S.c chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation. They withstood the cold and rain . recently to dedicate a 332-acre addition to the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in Colleton County. Standing left to right, Dr. James A. Timmerman Jr., executive director of the S.C Wildlife and Marine Resources Department; Marion Burnside, chairman of the state wildlife commission; Governor Carroll Campbell; A. Louis Yount, president of the National Wild Turkey Federation; Rob Keck, executive vice president of the National Wild Turkey Federation; and Wightman Bowden, chapter president of the S. C Wild Turkey Federation. (SCWMRD photo by Phillip Jones)

S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Dept.

Carolina, will expand the ACE Basin concept statewide and bring the entire state into the North American Waterfowl Management Plan's Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. Currently, the coastal region only is included.

Frampton, represents the S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department on the ACE Basin Task Force and serves on the management board of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture.

State wildlife department biologists throughout South Carolina are currently working to further define the new "focus areas," Frampton reported. "We are looking at the Savannah River, Santee Cooper lakes, Cooper River, Winyah Bay, Santee River, Western and Central Piedmont and the Foothills focus areas, as well as the ACE Basin." .

Habitat protection efforts in each Focus Area will be organized by coalitions or local Task Force groups similarto the waytheACE Basin project has been organized. "Again the emphasis will be on the good will and cooperation of landowners in each

ACE Current Events

area," said Frampton. Efforts to protect a wide diversity of

habitats in the ACE Basin have centered on landowner initiatives that include conservation easements, trusts, gifts of property as well as the sale of land, Frampton said. Due to current economic conditions it is unlikely that property will be purchased by government entities in the new areas.

Properties that may be purchased, if funding is available in the future, will be bought at or below fair market value from willing sellers, he emphasized. "Condemnation of properties for government purchase is not an option under our concept," Frampton said.

With conservation easements, the landowner retains ownership of the property but certain restrictions are placed on the deed in perpetuity. Restrictions are according to the landowner's wishes. The restrictions, which are individually tailored to each landowner's plan, usually exclude certain types of development considered incompatible with wildlife conservation objectives or traditional uses, according to Frampton. .?:

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Wetlands Delineated in Reserve A COOPERATIVE PROJECT be­

tween the S.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department

(SCWMRD) and the S.C . Water Resources Commission (SCWRC) to compile data describing the current wetland cover in the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve has been completed. This effort is part of a large-scale project by SCWRC and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to evaluate long term data sets in recommending a public policy process to address natural resource values.

Since June 1992, Saundra Upchurch, a wetlands ecologist with the SCWMRD Division of Marine Resources, has been identifying soil types associated with different wetlands, dominant vege­tation types and verifying these in the field through the use of aerial photography. "The databases gen­erated from this task will provide a foundation for future research that focuses on how natural processes and human activities in plant communities can change the characteristics of the existing land cover," said Ms. Upchurch.

According to Ms. Upchurch, an important part of the SCWRC study is the use of landscape ecology in assessing the cumulative impacts in the region. Cumulative impacts are the

ACE Basin Committee s.c. Wildlife and Marine Resources Dept. Dr. James A. Timmerman Jr., Exec. Director John E. Frampton, ACE Basin Task Force Mike McKenzie, Committee Cltairman Dean Harrigal, Project Coordinator David Allen - Freshwater Fisheries Section Bob Campbell- Conservation Education

and Communications Joe Hamilton - Game Section Ben Moise - Law Enforcement and Boating Sally Murphy - Nongame-Heritage Trust Graphics Design Diane Kennedy CQker - Conservation Education and Communications Editorial Assistance Mike Prevost -The Nature Conservancy Funding provided by the Harry R.E. Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. National Fish &t Wildlife Foundation

o Printed On Recycled Paper.

Wetland ecologist, Saundra Upchurch (left) and Dr. Elizabeth L. Wenner, research coordinator for the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve compare aerial photographs with tidal marsh vegetation in the Reserve. (SCWMRD

pholo by Pele LAurie)

effects of individualy minor impacts on the environment and can be widespread and very difficult to deal with. She said, "Such impacts can pose one of the most serious threats to our natural resources and the overall quality of the environment."

Landscape ecology provides a means for diagnosing the ecological health and conditions of a landscape unit. The focus is on large areas such as the ACE Basin, where the patterns and

ACE Basin Current Events '=t:

interactions of various elements within the system are analyzed. "This broadens the perspective on resource management to one where resources such as forests, wetlands, agricultural lands, wildlife and water are not viewed in isolation but rather as a whole," Ms. Upchurch said.

The SCWRC project is due for completion in the Edisto River Sub­basin in 1995 and plans to expand the study into the remaining ACE Basin region are being finalized. The primary aim is to develop a process which will yield real public values and priorities for natural resources that can be translated into policies and man­agement objectives for land owners and government agencies. .3t

Editors' Note ¥A6E~ ACE Basin Current Events is a product

of the S.c. WIldlife and Marine Resources Department's ACE Basin Committee. This committee integrates the comprehensive habitat protection and enhancementconcep t of the ACE Basin Project with appropriate resource management responsibilities of the Department's various Divisions.

Current Events is published twice annually andis intended toinfonn the public of the Department's role as a member of the ACE Basin Task Foree as well as conununi­cate overall activities and cooperative accomplishments of other Task Force mem­bers including: Ducks Unlimited, Private Landowners, The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and WIldlife Service. Address correspondence to: ACE Basin Project, SCWMRD, Rt. 1, Box 25, .I!III!!!!! Green Pond, SC 29446. .;:;iiiiiii;;

South Carolina Wildlife & Marine Resources Department Rt.t, Box 25

Second Class u.s. Postage

PAID Walterboro,

SC Green Pond, SC 29446.