May 3, 2023 • Volume 12, Issue 5 • Complimentary • HiltonHeadSun.com
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID BLUFFTON, SC PERMIT NO. 135 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Okatie’s ‘wild forest’ joins a network of old growth parks By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
Light rain filtering through the tree canopy overhead was pretty much ignored as a small group on a walking tour entered the Okatie Regional Preserve off Cecil Reynolds Drive in Bluffton. The thick, lush green of the leaves and vegetation also filtered most of the adjacent highway noise as the visitors were introduced to a future passive park. The preserve is 187 acres of mixed pine and hardwood upland forest, bottomland hardwood forest, and salt marsh at the headwaters of the Okatie River. In January, the preserve was designated as the newest member of the Old-Growth Forest Network. “We are a national nonprofit that focuses on our oldest forests across the country, trying to ensure that every county that can grow a forest will one day have an old-growth forest,” said Sarah Adloo, executive director of the Old-Growth Forest Network. “This particular property for this county represents some of the older, untouched wild forest that will soon be open to the public.” The designation makes the Okatie Regional Preserve only the second South Carolina park to be part of the network. Island-wide Poetry Trail launched 14A
The other is Congaree National Park, which includes in its 27,000 acres the largest intact expanse (11,000 acres) of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. There are 199 forests in 33 states in the network. “One of the reasons why we chose this particular forest is because of the white oaks that are on this property,” said Stefanie Nagid, Beaufort County passive parks manager. “They’re not unique to the Midland or Upstate folks, but down here in the Lowcountry it’s kind of a unique tree species, and we don’t see many large ones because they grow in an area that is highly prized for development.” At the head of the group, Beaufort County arborist and Passive Parks Manager Michael Murphy began pointing out some of the unique qualities of the trees along the rough trail. “This forest has diversity beyond anything we could think of. Here we’ve got an elm tree, and people always think the American elm has just been devastated all over the country, but we have what’s called the black elm or water elm that’s related to it,” said Murphy. “It doesn’t get the Dutch elm disease, mostly because the beetle that carries the vector doesn’t really hang out 34th year All Saints Garden Tour May 20 16A
PHOTOS BY GWYNETH J. SAUNDERS
The tour group begins the trek into the Okatie Regional Preserve in Bluffton. The preserve recently was designated as the newest member of the national Old-Growth Forest Network.
down here.” Murphy pointed out the wide root plate of the elm, explaining that it was not only indicative of an elm but of a high-water table, making the tree respond by growing a stronger root plate for stability during storms. He made other points about the sweet gum, which provides fruit for wild-
life; the American sycamore – uncommon in the Lowcountry but extensive in the Northeast; and the wax myrtle, part of the understory beneath the taller oaks and pines. “This forest is large enough to have a
Custom-designed luxury vessel offers accessible boat rides 20A
Second-career nurse describes ‘fulfilling’ choice 26A
Please see FOREST on page 10A
Sunny Side Up 3A • Editorial 4A • Sun on the Street 6A • Noteworthy 32A • Business 36A • Health 36A • Wellness 38A • Nature 41A • Giving 42A • Family 44A • Pets 45A • Real Estate 46A