The south carolina conservation bank and its conservation partners request $1000000 from the national coastal wetlands conservation grant program to acquire the barry tract an ecologically and…

The south carolina conservation bank and its conservation partners request $1000000 from the national coastal wetlands conservation grant program to acquire the barry tract an ecologically and culturally significant property made up of brackish marsh freshwater forested wetlands coastal fringe maritime forest and mixed pine hardwood forest. The 67ACRE barry tract includes 31.29 acres of nationally decreasing coastal wetlands. This project achieves voluntary habitat conservation with a willing seller in collaboration with partners that will conserve and manage important fish and wildlife habitats for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations. The subrecipient dorchester county will purchase the tract for longterm conservation with grant funds in 2025 and then manage the property for habitat and as a passive public park.expected benefits and resultsincrease in coastal wetland habitat acres conserved including 5 river miles upstream of an FY21 ncwc investment on the same river (the oaks plantation).potential increase in species population and range expansion as land is managed for conservation values and marsh migration occurs.increase in conservation lands within the 23000ACRE ashley river historic district and along a state scenic river and a national scenic byway.increase in opportunity for the public to participate in passive recreation and education activities consistent with the conservation objectives of the grant.expanded partnerships between state and county agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations. The proposal budget is $1420000 including $1000000 grant funds from USFWS wsfr $334000 from dorchester county $60000 from the SC conservation bank $25000 from dorchester trust foundation and $1000 inkind support from lowcountry land trust (LLT). The federal share is 70% and nonfederal share is 30%.