Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1997, is a recent addition to the United States National Wildlife Refuge
system. It is located in parts of northeastern Georgetown County, South Carolina, southern Horry
, and southeastern Marion counties, and contains lands adjacent to the Pee Dee River
, the Little Pee Dee River
, and the Waccamaw River
near their confluence. Currently the size of the refuge is just under 24,000 acres but plans call for the total refuge to be over 50,000 acres (200 km²).
It was founded to preserve valuable undeveloped coastal wetland and adjacent uplands that provide habitats for many species of wildlife. One endangered species that is given a home, primarily on longleaf pine
forest on Sandy Island
is the red-cockaded woodpecker
. It is also a nesting area for Swallow-tailed Kite
s and bald eagle
s.
The stated objectives of this refuge are:
The Refuge visitor's center is located just north of Georgetown on Highway 701 overlooking the Great Pee Dee River in the small community of Yauhannah, SC.
Address & Phone Number:
21424 N. Fraser St.
Georgetown, SC 29440
(843) 527-8069
-- Nature preserve further north alone the same river
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
system. It is located in parts of northeastern Georgetown County, South Carolina, southern Horry
Horry County, South Carolina
Horry County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. This name honored Revolutionary War Hero, Peter Horry. Brigadier General Horry was born in South Carolina sometime around 1743 and started his distinguished military career in 1775 as one of 20 captains the Provincial Congress...
, and southeastern Marion counties, and contains lands adjacent to the Pee Dee River
Pee Dee River
The Pee Dee River, also known as the Great Pee Dee River, is a river in North Carolina and South Carolina. It originates in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, where its upper course above the mouth of the Uwharrie River is known as the Yadkin River. It is extensively dammed for flood...
, the Little Pee Dee River
Little Pee Dee River
The Little Pee Dee River is a tributary of the Pee Dee River . The Little Pee Dee technically arises near Laurinburg, North Carolina as Gum Swamp, which flows southward, receiving several small tributaries, across the South Carolina border into Red Bluff Lake, near McColl, South Carolina...
, and the Waccamaw River
Waccamaw River
The Waccamaw River is a river, approximately 140 miles long, in southeastern North Carolina and eastern South Carolina in the United States. It drains an area of approximately 1110 square miles in the coastal plain along the eastern border between the two states into the Atlantic Ocean...
near their confluence. Currently the size of the refuge is just under 24,000 acres but plans call for the total refuge to be over 50,000 acres (200 km²).
It was founded to preserve valuable undeveloped coastal wetland and adjacent uplands that provide habitats for many species of wildlife. One endangered species that is given a home, primarily on longleaf pine
Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris, commonly known as the Longleaf Pine, is a pine native to the southeastern United States, found along the coastal plain from eastern Texas to southeast Virginia extending into northern and central Florida....
forest on Sandy Island
Sandy Island, South Carolina
Sandy Island is the name of a small unincorporated community in Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States, and a larger island between the Pee Dee and Waccamaw Rivers that has been preserved as a refuge and nature center....
is the red-cockaded woodpecker
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a woodpecker found in southeastern North America.- Description :About the size of the Northern Cardinal, it is approximately 8.5 in. long, with a wingspan of about 14 in. and a weight of about 1.5 ounces...
. It is also a nesting area for Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
The Swallow-tailed Kite is an elanid kite which breeds from the southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. Most North and Central American breeders winter in South America where the species is resident year round...
s and bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
s.
The stated objectives of this refuge are:
- Provide habitat for waterfowlWaterfowlWaterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
, shorebirds, wading birds, raptorsBird of preyBirds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
, neo-tropical migratory birds, and resident species. - Environmental education and interpretation.
- Provide opportunities for huntingHuntingHunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, fishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, and outdoor recreation.
The Refuge visitor's center is located just north of Georgetown on Highway 701 overlooking the Great Pee Dee River in the small community of Yauhannah, SC.
Address & Phone Number:
21424 N. Fraser St.
Georgetown, SC 29440
(843) 527-8069
See also
Waccamaw River Heritage PreserveWaccamaw River Heritage Preserve
The Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve is a , stretch of protected wetland that follows the Waccamaw River in northeastern Horry County, South Carolina.- Description :...
-- Nature preserve further north alone the same river