ACE Basin

The Lowcountry is home to one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the Atlantic Coast, the ACE Basin. The name is derived from the combination of the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto Rivers. This unique estuarine system is home to an abundant array of maritime resources. The approximately 350,000 acres of varied environments support forested wetlands, fresh, brackish and salt water tidal marshes, barrier islands, beaches as well as pine and hardwood uplands. Both the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the US Forest and Wildlife Service manage parts of the ACE Basin.

These distinct habitats host a profusion of wildlife resources. A wide range of plants, fish, reptiles, mammals and birds thrive in this bio-diverse system. The ACE Basin lies along the Atlantic Flyway and attracts an incredible array of birds year round. Over 265 species of native and migratory birds have been sighted in the estuaries, the rare whooping crane and endangered and threatened species such as wood storks and bald eagles.

The majority of travelers making their way on US 17 or Interstate 95 between Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort and Charleston pass through the ACE Basin and are totally unaware of the stunning display provided by Mother Nature that lies just beyond the asphalt beneath their feet.

While much of the ACE Basin is privately owned, a sizeable portion is open and available for the public to appreciate and enjoy. Opportunities abound for hiking, biking, fishing, camping and bird watching.

Following is a list of 14 publicly owned areas for you to wander, wonder and discover:

Audubon Beidler Forest, Harleyville, SC

https://beidler.audubon.org/

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, Green Pond, SC

https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/bear-island-wildlife-management-area/

Botany Bay Heritage Preserve, Edisto Island, SC

https://edistobeach.com/botany-bay/

Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Ravenel, SC

https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/caw-caw-interpretive-center

Colleton State Park, Walterboro, SC

https://southcarolinaparks.com/colleton

Donnelly Wildlife Management Area, Green Pond, SC

https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/driving-tour-of-the-lowcountrys-donnelley-wildlife-management-area-offers-fantastic-bird-watching-opportunities

Dungannon Heritage Preserve, Hollywood, SC

https://greenbelt.charlestoncounty.org/projects/dungannon/

Edisto Beach State Park, Edisto Island, SC

https://southcarolinaparks.com/edisto-beach?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAgoq7BhBxEiwAVcW0LDDMpvWCCVK-aeUegvIvSAQDhoZLE_x5TxAYl5jW3OZtf_rUtWCdSRoCFOgQAvD_BwE

Edisto Nature Trail, Highway 17, Jacksonboro, SC

https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/edisto-nature-nrt

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge near Adams Run, SC

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ernest-f-hollings-ace-basin

Givhans Ferry State Park. Ridgeville, SC

https://southcarolinaparks.com/givhans-ferry

Hunting Island State Park. Hunting Island, SC

https://southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAgoq7BhBxEiwAVcW0LKs6ijRnBBamQBiqn8WJYw8THqs0jAFLZnUGSpGREFXtZSZjdVWkpBoCz-oQAvD_BwE

Michael D. McKenzie Field Station, Bennett’s Point Road, Green Pond, SC

https://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/NERR/mckenzie_field_station.html

Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary, Walterboro, SC

https://www.walterborosc.org/walterboro-wildlife-sanctuary

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