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It all starts

with the land

Defined by three historic rivers and set amid 20,000 acres, Palmetto Bluff is secluded in the truest sense, and that is surely one of the reasons this land remains so pristine today.

For more than a century, the Bluff has been known to a privileged few as one of the wildest and most beautiful places in the South Carolina Lowcountry. With a dedication to conservation versus development, at Palmetto Bluff, every adventure, inside joke and story stays rooted beneath the shelter of century-old live oaks. From calling wild turkeys to calling in your family for a freshly caught dinner, the adventures had here will become the legacies that last generations.

How We Do It

Maximizing but utilizing our natural resources

We use traditional conservation methods to enrich the flora and the fauna, for their benefit and ours. While preservation leaves Mother Nature to fend for herself, our conservation methods enrich nature’s bounty for humans and their wild neighbors.

Why We Do It

Good land ethic

As good stewards of the land, it is up to us to make sure all of our inhabitants are healthy.

COME SEE FOR YOURSELF

Ensuring our vision

of conservation stays intact

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey

At Palmetto Bluff, we manage the land for the eastern wild turkey. The eastern wild turkey is an umbrella species, meaning all species will benefit from Conservancy efforts.

Healthy Herd

Healthy Herd

We study and manage certain species to ensure their population doesn’t exceed the carrying capacity of the land.

Wildlife Corridors

Wildlife Corridors

Palmetto Bluff boasts an interconnected system of green spaces that runs north, south, east and west for animals (and humans) to move freely through the landscape and developed areas. Hundreds of thousands of edges are created by these corridors.

Habitat Management

Habitat Management

Prescribed fire management is our most important tool in habitat management. Periodic, gentle burning opens the forest floor to sunlight and encourages a new, diverse understory. Overstory trees and all land animals benefit from this necessary practice.

Conservation / Palmetto Bluff Buffalo Run 2023: A Celebration of Endurance, Nature, and Community

A Recap of the 2034 Buffalo Run The Palmetto Bluff Buffalo Run celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday, December 11, 2023, drawing in a record-breaking crowd of over 500 runners. The event, nestled in the heart of Palmetto Bluff's 20,000 acres of natural sp...

Dec 2023

Conservation / From The Ashes

Story and Photographs by Joel Caldwell I am driving through the predawn dark, trying to find the office of Jay Walea, the longtime Director of the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. It’s a warm morning in late May, my windows are down, and I’m listening to that pecu...

Nov 2023

Conservation / Behind the Bluff with Palmetto Bluff Conservancy Educator: Aaron Palmieri

Aaron’s Journey to the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy   In the heart of the Lowcountry, where lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems flourish, lies a hidden gem known as Palmetto Bluff. This breathtaking sanctuary serves as a haven for an array of wildlife, offer...

Aug 2023

Conservation / The Bluff - Turkey Trot

When I ask Jay Walea, the director of the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, why he loves hunting turkeys, his response is quick and confident, as if the importance of the turkey was paramount. “A lot of people can go out at the right time in the season and make a tu...

Mar 2023

Conservation / Stewarding This Great Land

Stewardship: The art of taking care of something, such as an organization or property Steward: A person who takes care of something, such as an organization or property The simplicity of these definitions belies their importance. The Palmetto Bluff C...

Jan 2023

Conservation / Species Profile: Seminole Bat

Description Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus) are a medium-sized bat, measuring around 4.5 inches from head to tail with a wingspan of approximately 12 inches. They weigh between 8-15 g with females a little larger than males. This is about the sam...

Nov 2022

Conservation / Biking For Conservation

Palmetto Bluff resident, David Sebastian, has embarked on the trek of a lifetime - a 3,000-mile cross-country bicycle ride from San Diego to Palmetto Bluff. Riding solo, the six week journey will raise funds for two nonprofits close to David’s heart, one of wh...

Oct 2022

Conservation / In the Field: August Spotlight Survey

Every year in August, on nights with no moon, the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy conducts its annual Spotlight Survey. This survey is designed to provide an accurate estimate of Palmetto Bluff’s white-tailed deer herd. It is quite an undertaking. Conservancy staff...

Aug 2022

Conservation / Palmetto Bluff Preserved: Cataloging Artifacts Found at the Bluff

History is the fabric of our community, and with the help of our on-site archaeologists, Dr. Mary Socci and Katie Epps, we’re expanding what we know about those who came before us. And as you can expect, with over 20,000 acres, this research takes time. ...

Aug 2022

Conservation / Explore the Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge

Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge: A Visitors Guide When it comes to going outdoors and enjoying nature, the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge provides the ideal setting. It is a natural oasis that offers a wide range of activities and a number of op...

Aug 2022

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