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Scores of plant and animal species in the Lowcountry find safe haven thanks to new land acquisition

A gopher tortoise makes its way across the sand on one of the tracts acquired to form Coosawhatchie Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area. Gopher tortoises are one of several federally at-risk species that will be protected on the property.
Open Space Institute
/
SCDNR
A gopher tortoise makes its way across the sand on one of the tracts acquired to form Coosawhatchie Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area. Gopher tortoises are one of several federally at-risk species that will be protected on the property.

More than 10,000 acres in Jasper and Hampton counties have been procured to protect 68 critical plant and animal habitats in the Palmetto State.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources says they, along with state, federal, and private partners, have purchased the Buckfield and Slater properties for $50 million for what will be known as the Coosawhatchie Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area. The land will add to the 13,100 acres of adjoining and nearby land already protected by public and private entities.

Among the wildlife on the newly purchased land are federally at-risk species, including the gopher tortoise, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and Florida pine snake.

In total, SCDNR manages and protects 56,000 acres. This newest land purchase was a joint effort of the Open Space Institute Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina, the S.C. Conservation Bank, and SCDNR’s Heritage Trust Program, along with funding secured by state and federal lawmakers.

Gov. Henry McMaster praised the expansion of protected land, saying, “By prioritizing conservation, we are not only protecting our environment and wildlife but enhancing our quality of life by ensuring these beautiful landscapes are not lost to overdevelopment but preserved for future generations to enjoy.”

As of Sept. 1, the Coosawhatchie HP/WMA is open to the public and will be closed only during scheduled hunts.

There are currently 78 Heritage Preserves across South Carolina totaling around 104,000 acres.

Linda Núñez is a South Carolina native, born in Beaufort, then moved to Columbia. She began her broadcasting career as a journalism student at the University of South Carolina. She has worked at a number of radio stations along the East Coast, but is now happy to call South Carolina Public Radio "home." Linda has a passion for South Carolina history, literature, music, nature, and cooking. For that reason, she enjoys taking day trips across the state to learn more about our state’s culture and its people.