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...

Palmetto Bluff is an ecological wonderland, with its maritime forest and tidal rivers, its salt marsh and abundant wildlife. But perhaps one of the most unique features of this wedge of Lowcountry is the impressive inland waterway that wends through the landsc...

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...

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...

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...

Experience Winter Wildlife This Season The Lowcountry is a wondrous place to live, not only for its breathtaking scenery and historical significance but also for the wildlife that it inhabits. The winter wildlife in South Carolina includes a wide variety ...

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...

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...

If you've ever wandered the streets of Palmetto Bluff and gazed up at our centuries-old live oaks, you probably noticed delicate green fronds creeping up and curling around the massive trunks and branches, carpeting the trees in a lush green coat. This iconic ...

Discover the Magic of Palmetto Bluff Nature Trails Do you ever get the feeling of wanting to escape and wander lost into a serene paradise? Our many nature trails at Palmetto Bluff afford opportunities to roam and admire the vastness of our 20,000 acres. ...

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...

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. ...