Summer at Botany Bay is celebrated in a huge display of beautiful sunflowers.
These pictures
were taken in early July.
Notice: SC DNR has announced that beginning June 2,
Botany Bay
Wildlife Management Area will be closed on
Tuesdays for essential
maintenance. Botany is generally closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
2010-11 Hunt dates - Botany will be CLOSED
Click Here for Schedule
Botany will also be closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 22-27 and Christmas Dec. 20-25
Shelling no longer allowed.
The earlier policies were abused and had to be reconsidered.
We are well aware that abuse continues. Backpacks, coolers and other closed containers may be subject to review upon leaving the beach area by SCDNR enforcement officers. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Also Very Important
There is a sign in procedure for visitors. It’s called
a day pass permit system. You fill out part A with your name, number
in party, and hometown, and drop in the kiosk section, and
put the other part on your rearview mirror.
Everyone must have one. If it’s not displayed in sight,
they will be subject to a fine from $110-$470.
Also, there is no sign out now.
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Preserving History, Protecting the Environment
To see new images and learn more
click here
To visit SC DNR's driving tour for Botany Bay
click here
To read about Botany Bay WMA in South Carolina Wildlife Magazine
click here
Botany Bay is part of the internationally known ACE Basin.
To learn more about the ACE Basin
click here
Violations of SC DNR Rules on Botany Bay Plantation
can be reported through Operation Game Thief
1-800-922-5431
You are encouraged to call and report violations
you personally witness.
Botany Bay Plantation was recently
opened to the public by the SC Department
of Natural Resources
.
The property is roughly 4,000 acres and ranges from woods to wetlands to fields. There is a small beach which ranks second along the South Carolina Coast for Sea Turtle nesting. That beach provides one of the rare nesting areas for Wilson's plovers and the Least Tern, both threatened in SC. It is a fragile place where man must tread gently to avoid destroying the very things that attract us there. That said, many of Edisto Island's residents would prefer the beach be closed during turtle nesting season and open in the winter months when tourist pressure would be less.
SCDNR has established rules designed to
protect the beach including no shelling, no dogs on the beach or on the causeway to the beach, and the bird nesting area is roped off. Of course there is to be no disturbing the turtle nests! SC DNR has assured island residents that there will be regular surveillance and enforcement of the rules. Our island is devoted to protection of this wonderful property generously donated to SC.
Meanwhile back on the mainland, the ruins of Sea Cloud Plantation's foundation give testament to the wealth of Sea Island Cotton and are only a part of the precious heritage that rests on Botany Bay Plantation which was also home to legendary Bleak Hall. All key historic sites are being fenced and all are already marked with signs warning against collecting artifacts. No metal detectors are allowed within the Wildlife Management Area.
EIPA continues to work with the Botany Bay Volunteer program to help SC DNR protect these environmental, cultural and historic treasures. We continue to talk with SC DNR about how best to accomplish our mutual goals. If you would like to join the discussion or volunteer to help contact us at:
PreserveEdisto@bellsouth.net
If you plan to visit Botany Bay
we suggest you visit the following page - click here
To learn about &/or Sign Up for
Botany Bay Volunteer
Project
How important are places like Botany Bay to
Edisto Island's economy... consider what visitors to SC want:
Quick Facts about South Carolina's Natural Resource Assets
 Blessed with incredible natural bounty and beauty, South Carolina's natural resources are essential for economic development. The overall value of SC's natural resources is, in some ways, immeasurable. Economic activities tied to the state's resource base sustain nearly $30 billion in tangible economic benefits for South Carolina. Approximately 235,000 jobs are linked to activities that depend on our natural resource base. (Study completed at University of South Carolina Moore School of Business ~ 2009)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
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