None The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina Press Releases Search All Press Releases Michael B. Prevost Sewee to Santee Project Director Phone: (843) 887-4380 E-mail: mprevost@tnc.org

The Nature Conservancy and Beaufort County Purchase Buzzard Island

Columbia, SC -- July 3, 2002 -- The Nature Conservancy and Beaufort County jointly purchased Buzzard Island in northern Beaufort County on Wednesday, July 3, 2002, for $600,000.  Beaufort County contributed $150,000 toward the purchase price through funding from the county's Rural and Critical Lands Program.

The island is comprised of approximately 140 acres, 12 of which are uplands surrounded by vast salt marshes.  The island is contiguous to North Williman Island, an 8,400-acre island which was protected by a May 2002 purchase by the County and the Conservancy. 

Although small in acreage, its impact on the conservation of the St. Helena Estuary is not insignificant.  "Left unprotected, even a small acreage could negatively impact protection efforts in the area," said Joe Hamilton, the Conservancy's ACE Basin and South Lowcountry project director.

"The Nature Conservancy has been working in the ACE Basin for 15 years and this acquisition is evidence of our long-term commitment to this valuable estuary.  This acquisition is possible because of the partnership with Beaufort County and its land preservation program," said Mark Robertson, executive director of The Nature Conservancy's South Carolina Chapter.

The Conservancy intends to transfer its 75 percent interest in the island to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for management under the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve.  National Estuarine Research Reserves are managed and funded under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  Beaufort County will retain its 25 percent interest.

Buzzard Island, along with other islands in the ACE Basin Reserve including the recent North Williman Island acquisition, is open to public use.

The Conservancy and Beaufort County commend Senator Ernest F. Hollings for his long-term support in securing NOAA funding to protect and manage the ACE Basin Reserve for public benefit.

Beaufort County's Rural and Critical Lands Program is supported by a $40 million bond referendum passed by more than 73 percent of the voters in 2000.