Naturaland trust is requesting funding from the partners for fish and wildlife program (PFW) to implement restoration of carolina bays, isolated wetlands, and associated habitats for the benefit of…

Naturaland trust is requesting funding from the partners for fish and wildlife program (PFW) to implement restoration of carolina bays, isolated wetlands, and associated habitats for the benefit of federally listed and other imperiled species in south carolina. Through this partnership funding, natural community restoration practices will be implemented on lands owned by naturaland trust, lands owned by the south carolina native plant society and potentially other privately owned properties that harbor carolina bays, isolated wetlands, and rare species. Habitat enhancement contributing to recovery of listed species implemented outside DOD installation boundaries allows DOD installations to focus on preparedness and national security. The primary project property is located less than 4 miles from shaw airforce base in sumter, south carolina and is part of a 3820-acre complex of conserved private forest and farmland properties that connect with the base property. Habitat restoration and enhancement of carolina BAY wetlands, isolated wetlands and adjacent uplands through implementation of stewardship practices will improve resources for species dependent on these connected natural communities, including federally listed, at-risk, and imperiled plants, pollinators, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Ecologists, biologists, and numerous natural resources entities and agencies have recognized the loss of these ecosystems, ecological functions they provide, and the species they support as carolina bays, isolated wetlands and associated longleaf woodlands have disappeared and declined in quality over several decades. Communities benefit from improved ECO-services provided by carolina bays, isolated wetlands and associated longleaf woodlands through floodwater storage, pollutant filtration, reduced erosion sedimentation, improved water quality, wildlife and floral habitat corridors, resources for pollinators, habitat for game animals, support for rare species contributing to recovery.