Conservation // 2 min Read

Lunch with a Wildlife Manager

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Justin Hardy, Palmetto Bluff’s Land & Wildlife Manager, is arguably one of the busiest people on property. From answering wildlife questions and calls, planting food plots, and prescribed burning each day is different. We got a chance to sit down with Justin during the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy’s “Lunch with …” series to learn more about what he does here at the Bluff.

What is a Wildlife Manager?

A Wildlife Manager is a person who manipulates a natural environment in order to maximize resources for wildlife. Here, at Palmetto Bluff, we have chosen to gear our management toward the eastern wild turkey. Our reasoning is the fact that almost all Lowcountry critters benefit from turkey management.

What made you want to become a Wildlife Manager?

I’ve always spent my time outdoors. Coming from a tiny town… it was my only option for entertainment. I am incredibly grateful to have grown up the way I did. Entering college, I knew I wanted to choose a career path that would embrace my love for the outdoors, so I majored in Geology at Georgia Southern University. Working for Palmetto Bluff Conservancy was my first job after college. Since then I have gone from a temporary technician to a full-time Land & Wildlife Manager and couldn’t be happier.

What brought you to Palmetto Bluff and what keeps you here?

My first time on Palmetto Bluff was for my job interview. I fell in love with the place immediately. How could a person not? The people, the wildlife, the diversity, the views…I could go on for days.

What are some of your responsibilities?

I have a very unique bag of responsibilities. In the winter months, prescribed fire management is the name of the game. Yes, they let me light the place on fire. Spring and summer are all about early successional management. That’s fancy lingo for providing food for wildlife. Fall is for hog and deer herd management. All of this, of course, is woven through the multitudinous programs, events, and good times that can be expected from the Conservancy.

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

There really is no such thing as an average day. I arrive every morning at 6:50 AM. Generally, I will have a plan for how the day will proceed. Weather, animals, and nature frequently have a different plan for me. For example, we could be out in the wilds of Palmetto Bluff working on field fences or filling corn feeders or road maintenance when we get a phone call about … oh… I don’t know… squirrel in an attic or a raccoon in a guest house (you name it, we’ve seen it). I guess the takeaway is that my days are variable but always fun.

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

Palmetto Bluff has taught me so much about the natural world. I have learned a great deal about myself out here as well. I don’t have any expectations about what I will learn next. I just know to keep my eyes open.

At Palmetto Bluff everything starts with the land, and thanks to Justin and the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy team, we can keep that at the center of our values.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming talks:

Explore PBC: Snakes of the Headwaters Trail: August 16th

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture: Walnut Grove Plantation: August 21st

Club Life
The Farm Is Blooming With Events This Spring

You know Spring has arrived at the Bluff when The Farm begins buzzing with activity. You can find a bounty of eggs in beautiful hues, bright green potato vines popping up in rows, and Better Boy, Celebrity, and Red Brandywine tomatoes ripening in the sun. We a...

Apr 2025

Real Estate
Stay Awhile: How Palmetto Bluff’s Porches Invite More Than Just A Place To Sit

The homes at Palmetto Bluff are known for their expansive and inviting porches, which embody the spirit of Southern charm and hospitality. These porches are more than architectural features; they serve as seamless extensions of the living space, fostering a co...

Apr 2025

Sporting Life
Behind the Design: A Recent Look at the Coore & Crenshaw Course

Take a closer look at the artistry and intention behind the new Coore & Crenshaw golf course coming to life in Anson. In this exclusive video, hear directly from Ben Crenshaw as he shares how each hole was thoughtfully designed to offer a unique experience...

Apr 2025

Club Life
Member Profile | Bradshaw Family

Randy, Carole Anne, Sage, Tyson, and Wren Oliver Where are you from? Randy: We're both from Manning, South Carolina. We met in high school. Carole Anne: We were high school sweethearts! Randy: In 2013, we moved to St. Louis and were there for over seven ...

Apr 2025
south carolina wildlife

Conservation
Spring Wildlife: What to Spot at Palmetto Bluff This Season

Where to Spot South Carolina Wildlife This Spring As spring breathes new life into the Lowcountry, Palmetto Bluff becomes a haven for nature enthusiasts eager to experience the vibrant South Carolina wildlife. Warmer temperatures, lush landscapes, and longer ...

Mar 2025
amanda cutrer palmetto bluff

Real Estate
Behind the Bluff: Palmetto Bluff Sales Executive Amanda Cutrer

Amanda’s Journey to Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Company Tucked along the banks of the May River, Palmetto Bluff is where history, nature, and timeless design come together to create something truly special. For Amanda Cutrer, a dedicated sales agent with Palme...

Mar 2025
palmetto bluff club members

Club Life
A Day in the Life of a Palmetto Bluff Member

Palmetto Bluff Members: A Look into the Lifestyle Imagine waking up to a cascading canopy of natural oak trees. You can hear the sounds of the May River careening in the background and smell the aroma of finely ground espresso slowly engulfing your waterfront...

Mar 2025

Conservation
Songbirds of Spring

As April approaches the promise of spring is unmistakable here at the Bluff, especially for bird enthusiasts. Above us, migratory flocks signal the start of a new season. Northern parulas, often among the first to migrate, arrive early in March. Their song—a r...

Mar 2025

Club Life
Pilates Reformers: Forming New Ways to Stay Fit

Palmetto Bluff's Fitness and Wellness team keeps residents energized by introducing innovative equipment like the Pilates reformer. As part of the exclusive wellness amenities available to residents, this versatile machine features a sliding carriage, resistan...

Mar 2025
moreland village

Real Estate
Real Estate Spotlight: Moreland Village Homes

Explore All Moreland Village Has to Offer at Palmetto Bluff Moreland Village at Palmetto Bluff offers a rare blend of Lowcountry charm, modern amenities, and a deep connection to nature. Surrounded by the serene waters of the Inland Waterway, the New River, a...

Feb 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