Conservation // 2 min Read

2020 Burn Season

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Ecosystems depend on periodic fire events to rejuvenate growth, and prescribed, or controlled, burning is one of the best management tools to ensure long-term survival. Annual prescribed fire management occurs at Palmetto Bluff every year from January through early March thanks to the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. Approved by the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC), this land management technique provides numerous wildlife and forestry benefits.

What is prescribed fire management?

Prescribed fire is a planned fire. Also referred to as a “controlled burn,” it’s used for a variety of reasons. One of the most notable benefits is to maintain the health of an existing natural area containing native plants. Fire not only helps manage weeds and other growth, but it can also help restore nutrients and help lead to more desirable plant growth in the future. Fertilized by the ashes of its predecessors, new growth provides high-quality food sources that revitalize the food chain. It also creates diversity within plant communities which builds diversity in the fauna that relies upon it.

While we aren’t quite done with our 2020 burn season, this year has already proven to be another successful year for the Conservancy’s fire management.

  • Goal of 2000 acres burned by the end of March
  • 1520 acres burned
  • 515 acres burned in one day (new record)
  • 260 acres that haven’t received fire in more than a decade

A successful burning season can greatly set the proverbial tone for the remainder of the year. We hope this momentum continues as we transition out of burning season and into a long-awaited spring.

Photo 1: The use of prescribed fire is the ultimate land/wildlife management strategy in the Southeastern United States.

Photo 2: Controlled fires remove thick, impenetrable understory and converts it into open, nutrient-rich new growth.

Photo 3: Throughout spring and summer, regeneration of native grasses, forbs, and wildflowers provide ample nutrition for all wildlife species.

Photo 5: It’s like hitting the refresh button on a landscape. The Palmetto Bluff Conservancy burns an average of 1700 acres annually. In 2020, 1500 have been burned thus far and another 1000 are anticipated.

%GALLERY%

Club Life
Five Reasons for the Season: Why We Love Fall in the Lowcountry

The golden glow of the marshes, the crisp air, and the sense of calm after a busy summer season all make this time of year unforgettable. Whether you’re enjoying the Bluff or exploring the wider coastal region, here are five reasons why fall is when the Lowcou...

Oct 2025
palmetto bluff sales agent

Real Estate
Behind the Bluff with Sales Executive: David Johnson

David’s Journey to Palmetto Bluff Born and raised in Lewisburg, West Virginia, David Johnson’s career path began with a moment of chance. While studying Finance and Economics at Marshall University, he walked into the Greenbrier Sporting Club’s real estate of...

Sep 2025
palmetto bluff club

Club Life
An Inside Look at The Palmetto Bluff Club

Palmetto Bluff Club: Finding Your Perfect Fit Tucked into the heart of the Lowcountry, Palmetto Bluff is a place where life unfolds at its finest pace—unhurried, connected, and deeply rooted in community. Membership here goes beyond access to world-class amen...

Sep 2025
fall home decor 2025

Architecture & Design
How to Decorate Your Coastal Home For Fall

4 Ways to Incorporate Coastal Fall Decor into Your Home in 2025If you are planning to decorate your home for fall, you might feel limited to warm colors and chilly weather. But if you live on the coast, you can easily incorporate coastal fall décor into your h...

Sep 2025

Conservation
Watching Birds, Supporting Science: FeederWatch at Palmetto Bluff

Here in the Lowcountry, the Conservancy brings FeederWatch to life with guided sessions at the Conservancy’s bird feeders. Education and Outreach Manager Aaron Palmieri leads these gatherings, teaching attendees how to identify wintering species, choose the ri...

Sep 2025

Culture
Chef Beth’s Lowcountry 7 Layer Dip with Pimento Cheese

Chef Beth Cosgrove shares her favorite game day dip—with a Southern twist.​ Ingredients 2 cups cooked sea island red peas, crushed with a fork 1 recipe of pimento cheese dip (recipe below), room temperature 2 cups crème fraiche 1 cup fire-roast...

Sep 2025

Real Estate
The Benefits Of Buying A Newly-Built Home In Palmetto Bluff

At Palmetto Bluff, newly built homes are more than residences—they are carefully crafted retreats offering the best of Lowcountry living. Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Co. Agent, Amanda Cutrer, shares the benefits of buying “new” in the Bluff. Builder Support ...

Sep 2025

Conservation
Lowcountry Canvas

Visionary land planner Mark Permar reflects on Palmetto Bluff's rich history and its enduring connection to the land. With Anson on the horizon, the legacy of designing with nature lives on.How did you first get involved with Palmetto Bluff?  I believe it was ...

Sep 2025

Architecture & Design
Palmetto Bluff Homes with Guest Homes and Casitas

Explore Available Listings with Room For the Whole Family At Palmetto Bluff, life moves at the pace of the tides; slow enough to savor, yet rich with moments worth sharing. And when it comes to welcoming the people you love most, the right home makes all the ...

Aug 2025
2025 bluffton real estate

Real Estate
Real Estate Sales Report: Palmetto Bluff’s 2025 Midyear Update

Real Estate in Bluffton, SC: Trends, Updates, and Insights The first half of 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable for Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Company, with sales volume, transaction count, and market share setting a strong pace for the year ahead. As ...

Aug 2025

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us