Dalzell Bay

There were once thousands of functioning bays in the Carolina. Over time, however, we have lost most of them due to incongruous land use, mostly agriculture and forestry. Historically, farmers would ditch and drain the confining base of the bay, harvest the trees, and use the rich peat soils as fertile agricultural ground. Of the thousands in South Carolina that once defined the Atlantic Coastal Plain, SCDNR estimated only about 10% still function, and that was 30 years ago. That number has probably dropped further in the last few decades. The bays that still exist and function as their ecology and hydrology should be saved; only if they are protected and actively managed through a regime of invasive removal, periodic burning, or terraforming to reshape their native hydrology. Primarily, however, they also have to be available to be purchased.

Although historically outside of our organization's geography, there is a need to protect these unique features of the South Carolina landscape, and we are uniquely suited to do so. Our president, Frank Holleman, has gathered a group of dedicated conservationists and bay specialists to spearhead this effort through Naturaland Trust.

Last year, a unique bay came up for sale in Sumter County, just outside Shaw Air Force Base. Chick Gaddy, who has worked on bays for years, says it is the best pond cypress bay he has ever seen. It is known as the Dalzell Bay and is famous in the botanical bay community. Around the Bay, housing is being built nearby for base staff. This property is subject to housing encroachment or heavy agriculture if it isn't acquired for conservation. The entire bay is not for sale, but roughly 40% will be included in this project. This acquisition is 61 acres, which consists of 30 acres of uplands. The bay itself is protected by a Wetland Reserve Program easement, but the bay is at risk without an informed conservation entity being at least a part owner to protect and restore it. Furthermore, the WRP easement places no restrictions on the uplands, and there are no management requirements for the bay. We purchased the 61 acres late last year. We plan to replant the uplands in long-leaf pine and then begin an active management regime to maintain the bay’s botanical and hydrological integrity. Over time, we will try to purchase adjoining land to add to Dalzell Bay.