Forested Flyways in South Carolina
The first official Forested Flyways project was announced on June 12, 1999 at the Pineland Stewards Field Day sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation. The event was held at the Cypress Bay Plantation, a certified Tree Farm owned by Skeet and Gail Burris. ATFS volunteer foresters, DU wetland scientists, International Paper wildlife biologists, and Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel were on hand to discuss wetland and waterfowl habitat improvement strategies. These Forested Flyways’ partners provide technical assistance, promote Skeet and Gail’s voluntary conservation actions, and organize educational field days to encourage and motivate neighboring forest owners to conduct similar conservation projects and voluntarily implement state Best Management Practices.During 1997 to 1999, 36.67 acres on the Cypress Bay Plantation was put into a conservation easement for the purpose of restoring a drained wetland and creating a 25-acre wetland to enhance wildlife habitat. Forested Flyways’ partners constructed a water control structure to maintain about 65% of the wetland at a fixed water level. Nearly 2,500 bald cypress and 200 tupelo gum trees were planted within the perimeter of the wetland. Oak, crabapple, autumn olive, and dogwood were also planted above the high water mark and the area between the fixed level and high water area was planted with rice, Japanese millet, corn, and milo. In addition, approximately eight acres were cleared, planted in crops and then flooded with a flashboard riser to provide more attractive habitat for waterfowl. This has been the fourteenth wetland created by Skeet and Gail on their certified Tree Farm since they purchased the land in 1986. The existing wetlands have attracted wood ducks, mergansers, teal, mallards, widgeon, coot, osprey, an occasional eagle, wood storks, herons, egrets, Canadian geese, purple martin, and various other waterfowl and water related birds.
Georgia · Mississippi · Texas
Forested Flyways is a program of the American Forest Foundation’s American Tree Farm System. It operates in cooperation with, among others, the following organizations:
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