The Santee Cooper Lakes Focus Area encompasses Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie in the coastal plain of South Carolina and is comprised of 863,458 acres.  The region supports a wide diversity of habitats, and thus, a wide diversity of species, serving as a major wintering area for migratory and resident waterfowl and as important foraging and nesting habitat for Ospreys, Bald Eagles, wading birds, and American alligators.  In addition, almost every heron and egret species inhabiting South Carolina can be found in the wide variety of habitats in this focus area. 

The primary threat within this region is urbanization, and increased recreational activity in areas traditionally used by a diversity of wildlife.  The long range conservation of wetlands and important adjacent uplands in this focus area should promote traditional uses of the land such as forestry, agriculture and wildlife management, through the implementation of plans for the stewardship and protection of the individual properties. It is important to create and maintain natural upland buffers along the margins of all wetlands, and to create and maintain wildlife corridors between important wetlands in the project area and adjacent focus areas.  Overarching conservation goals include enhancing and maintaining as much of the high quality wetland and adjacent upland habitat in the focus area as possible. 

Lands in the Santee Cooper Lakes Focus Area are a mix of federal, state, and private ownerships, with a significant amount of lands held by a major quasi-governmental utility company, Santee-Cooper.  There are also significant state land holdings in state parks, state forests, and wildlife management areas, including a portion of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge.  The National Audubon Society also protects approximately 14,400 acres of the Four Holes Swamp in Francis Beidler Forest.  In cooperation with Audubon, Lowcountry Open Land Trust has protected 9 properties, totaling 1450 acres, as part of the Francis Beidler Forest.

Return to Full Focus Area Map