Science and StewardshipRestoring Washo Reserve
The Nature Conservancy has received a $25,000 grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Partners to restore optimal habitat at the Washo Reserve. The Washo Reserve is part of the 24,000-acre Santee Coastal Reserve located near McClellanville, and is a critically important area for migratory waterfowl and other wetland-dependent migratory birds. Aquatic vegetation such as frogsbit, alligator weed, and cattails are encroaching on native plants at the freshwater cypress lake and swamp, threatening waterfowl nesting patterns. Washo Reserve is the oldest wading bird rookery in continuous use in
Freshwater Mussels, like clams, are bivalve mollusks that filter water for food. Their well-being and health should also be in question: polluted waters, dam-controlled rivers, and development have put dozens of mussel species on the endangered list. Learn more about these
Freshwater Mussel Survey of the Pee Dee River Watershed, South Carolina
This report documents findings regarding mussel fauna in the Great Pee Dee River and its major tributaries, along with the Black and Waccamaw Rivers. These rivers still contain some great freshwater mussel fauna worthy of our conservation efforts.
This effort was a two-year project conducted by South Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, who contracted with The Catena Group of Hillsborough, North Carolina to perform SCUBA and shallow water searches in many areas previously unexplored for freshwater mussels.
Although funded entirely by private dollars, The Nature Conservancy is treating this information as public domain. Please feel free to reference this document, and to share it with others who may be interested.
This work was funded primarily by the Mott Foundation, with additional contributions from Progress Energy, Inc. and International Paper, Inc. Labor and logistical support was also provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Aquarium, and interested private citizens.
For additional information, contact , Aquatics Program Manager, at (843) 937-8807. click here for the detailed report (2,522 kb)
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