Conservation // 3 min Read

Lunch with a Biologist

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Jul 08, 2019

Lydia Moore, the Research and Education Coordinator here at Palmetto Bluff, oversees exactly what her title says and more. Whether she’s leading a lecture on pollinators or outside collecting data for her most recent research endeavor, there is constant learning happening. We got a chance to sit down with her during the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy’s “Lunch with…” series to learn more about her and what she does here on the Bluff.

What made you want to become a biologist?

From a young age I enjoyed learning about plants and animals and that passion continued to grow as I matured. While I loved exploring outside as a kid, exploring without learning was never enough. I felt compelled to learn about the natural world around me! I loved everything about biology in school: being outside, dissections, learning about the interconnectedness of ecological communities…. My experiences in the classroom and my own explorations really set me up for this career.

What is your background in biology?

I originally wanted to become a marine biologist (I grew up on a saltwater creek in Charleston), but my interests diverged. First, I became obsessed with birds and went through a prolonged ornithology phase, then snakes and tortoises drew my attention, followed by insects, before I finally settled on bats. My research focus is really community ecology – which basically studies how species interact with (or exclude!) each other within the same geographic area. Bats are a wonderful focal taxa for the types of questions I usually ask. My research at Palmetto Bluff is expanding my focus from bats to reptiles, insects, and birds.

What brought you to Palmetto Bluff and what are some of your responsibilities?

This wonderful job that I have is what landed me here at the Bluff! The position seemed too good to be true when I saw the job posting and it has been pretty incredible. I run the research and education programs for the Conservancy. There were several ongoing wildlife monitoring projects through the Conservancy before I arrived, which means there was a substantial data set sitting on my desk when I first walked through my office door. My research duties include statistically analyzing existing data sets, initiating new research projects, and collaborating with other researchers. Responsibilities related to education include organizing our summer kids camp, beginning new education programs, and participating in the ongoing Explore PBC series.

Talk me through an average day for you on the Bluff.

Oh boy. Every day is different which I absolutely love! Sometimes I come in and spend most of the day in front of my laptop. Most people think field biologists spend the entirety of their career outside and don’t realize that the majority of a biologist’s time is actually spent looking at a computer screen. On those days I am usually entering data, analyzing data, or doing background research on one of several projects I would like to get started. Sometimes I get to spend the entire day away from the office participating in one of our education programs or conducting surveys for one of our research projects.

What makes Palmetto Bluff such an interesting place from a biology perspective?

Palmetto Bluff has an incredible diversity of habitat within its 20,000 acres. This can potentially lead to a large species richness (or the number of species within a given area), including the occurrence of rare or federally listed species. In 2016, a federally threatened species of bat was discovered in the coastal plain of South Carolina for the very first time – right here on Palmetto Bluff! That is incredible! I’m excited to see what else we find here.

What are you hoping to learn from the land here at the Bluff?

I think one of the biggest things we can learn here is how humans and wildlife can coexist. We still have so many acres of good habitat left at the Bluff that we really get to see wildlife up close, which is thrilling to many of our visitors. Observing human-wildlife interactions can inform us of how successful we are as stewards of the land in making sure we have things like effective wildlife corridors and suitable habitat for specific species.

The dates for the rest of the “Lunch with” series are:

Lunch with a biologist: July 18

Lunch with a wildlife manager: August 1

Real Estate / J. Banks Design Exclusive Furniture Packages for The Grove

Photography from J. Banks Design Luxury interior design firm J. Banks and Palmetto Bluff Builders have collaborated to provide an extensive and beautiful design package for the residents of The Grove, Palmetto Bluff's first neighborhood built-for-sale. With j...

Nov 2023

Food & Wine / Buttermilk Chess Pie with Vanilla Mascarpone Crème Recipe

Indulge in the rich and flavorful Buttermilk Chess Pie with Vanilla Mascarpone Crème by following this delicious recipe from Palmetto Bluff Club’s Executive Pastry Chef, Jae Newby. The Buttermilk Chess Pie Filling combines the perfect blend of ingredients, inc...

Nov 2023

Sporting Life / Meet Palmetto Bluff’s New Equestrian Director: Julien Beaugnon

Longfield Stables at Palmetto Bluff is thrilled to welcome Julien Beaugnon as the new Equestrian Director. With over 30 years of experience as an equestrian instructor, trainer, and manager, Julien’s journey is a testament to his passion, dedication, and stron...

Nov 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

Local Character: Chris Apple Director of Golf Club Operations

Where are you from and how did you get here? I saw the job posting through a golf recruiting service at 6am one morning. [laughs] I applied for it and here we are. My wife and I always said if we ever left Nashville, we’d move to the Lowcountry. We love livin...

Nov 2023

Culture / Festive Events At Palmetto Bluff

The Haunting of Palmetto Bluff | October 27  Venture deep into the woods of the Bluff, where echoes of the past are lurking in the shadows. Embark on a spine-chilling journey to explore legends and step beyond the veil of the living and the dead. Will you l...

Oct 2023

Culture / Palmetto Bluff Shines Bright in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards

The results of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards are in, and Montage Palmetto Bluff, Hilton Head Island, Charleston, and Savannah received numerous accolades and awards highlighting what makes the Lowcountry region a stand out amongst the rest....

Oct 2023

Sporting Life / Common Clay

Photographs by Cameron Wilder Story by Alex Marvar Left to right: Palmetto Bluff residents Cynthia Willet, Nancy Thomas, Donna South, and Michelle Solomon On the bluff’s 120-acre sporting clays course, four friends find a winning combination of fresh air, ca...

Oct 2023
palmetto bluff builders

Architecture & Design / The Palmetto Bluff Builders Design Process

Behind the Design with Jason Kimes & Leighann Markalunas In the heart of the Lowcountry, where the gentle sway of Spanish moss-laden trees meets the tranquil embrace of the coast, lies a unique community: Palmetto Bluff. Their approach to home design capt...

Sep 2023

Food & Wine / Fall Recipes From Buffalos

Your Pine-ness Cocktail Recipe Before delving into the ingredients and recipe for Buffalos’ delectable Ricotta Meatballs and Sauce, it is imperative that the chef has an excellent cocktail for cooking. Pairing the sweetness of pineapple with the woody flavo...

Sep 2023
LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us