Aiken Land Conservancy

06/11/2026

Fire in the Growing Season

ALC staff joined Black Magic Land Mgmt staff, along with volunteers from the Aiken Prescribed Fire Cooperative and Quail Forever staff, to implement a prescribed burn on 55 acres at the True Bleu Conservation Easement, held by ALC. This burn was conducted right in the middle of the "growing season", which generally covers a time frame between mid-April and late July. Why conduct a burn during such a hot time of year, you might ask?

Before people, evidence suggests that fires occurred most frequently between April and August. Lightning would strike and fires would burn until rain fell or fire met some impediment, like a large swamp or river.

These fires remove shrubs and small trees, since those were most susceptible to fire that time of year, but would promote small plants and grasses that needed an open canopy to survive. While it may seem obvious that fires would naturally occur during the hottest and driest times of year, most prescribed burns have historically been conducted during the dormant season (November through early April). Burns during the dormant season are generally safer to implement, but they aren't always the most effective for restoring wildlife habitat.

The burn at the True Bleu Conservation Easement took place to benefit wildlife, especially fire-adapted bird and reptile species, and to restore the overall longleaf pine ecosystem. During the burn, Northern bobwhite and summer tanagers were heard calling, and a state-listed pine snake was observed going down a small burrow in the burn unit. Wildlife, even during this time of year, are adapted to fire and use a variety of methods to escape the burn. ALC staff and volunteers will return to the burn unit next month to assess how wildlife has responded to the burn.

Thank you to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative and the Malcolm C. Damuth Foundation for funding support, and for our partners who helped ensure that the burn was conducted safely!

06/10/2026

🐍 A Snake in the Horse District

While driving through Aiken's Horse District, ALC's Executive Director spotted this Eastern ratsnake crossing the road. He promptly picked it up and moved it in the direction it was heading, which happened to be Winthrop Polo Field!

Eastern ratsnakes eat, you guessed it, rats, other rodents, birds, and eggs. They are completely harmless to people. In fact, they help us by controlling rodent populations. They also play an important role in the food web, serving as both predator and prey for other wildlife (such as red-shouldered hawks and barred owls). The many trees within Aiken's Horse District provide excellent habitat for Eastern ratsnakes, which love to climb trees and can live harmoniously with people so long as people (or their pets) do not kill them.

Unfortunately, roads present significant threats for snakes, since snakes often lie motionless on roads to absorb heat and because many people intentionally kill any snake they see. For those willing to do so, helping to usher snakes across roads can be a great way to help these important animals survive in our human-dominated landscapes.

We're proud that Winthrop Polo Field provides habitat for wildlife like this Eastern ratsnake. You never know what species may benefit from land conservation! 🌿

06/09/2026

Summer is the perfect time to help kids discover the natural world around them.🦋

If your children love animals, hiking, bugs, birds, or simply being outside, check out the South Carolina Wildlife Federation’s Online Nature Learning webinars at https://www.scwf.org/online-nature-learning/ -le-id-9

These engaging virtual programs make it easy for families to keep learning and exploring nature all summer long — no classroom required. 🌿

And if your family is looking for an outdoor adventure this summer, SCWF is also hosting the upcoming Families Exploring Nature event in Lexington on Friday, June 12th! A great opportunity for kids to experience nature hands-on and continue building curiosity about the world around them. 🌳

Learn more here: https://www.scwf.org/events/families-exploring-nature-26/

In 2020, SCWF began offering FREE Zoom webinars on a variety of topics. Each webinar is recorded and then uploaded to our YouTube Channel. We invite you to join us for our next webinar, and also watch some of our previous webinars through the link below.

06/05/2026

Please Excuse Our Mess at Boyd Pond Park

If you've visited Boyd Pond Park recently, you've noticed some pretty big changes. Many of the young hardwood trees and shrubs in the understory have been cut east of the pond, a new fire break has been created around the recently-acquired Dufour Community Forest, and openings have been created among the young loblolly pines within the Dufour Community Forest as well.

While cutting these trees and shrubs may appear to be harmful, this restoration work actually benefits native species. Allowing more sunlight to hit the forest floor promotes the growth of plant species ranging from milkweeds to native grasses. Removing young hardwoods will help the next prescribed fire, planned for later this year, burn more thoroughly to benefit longleaf pine and other sandhill species. Creating openings and fire breaks on the Dufour Community Forest will allow that property to be burned safely while facilitating the creation of new trails. All of this work will allow us to insert artificial nest cavities for federally-threatened Red-cockaded Woodpeckers on the property within the next year, a species whose presence benefits a wide range of other wildlife species.

Restoration can be messy and ugly but, given that natural processes can no longer occur due to habitat fragmentation, it's a necessary component to keep habitats healthy in the Southeast. ALC appreciates Aiken County Parks and Recreation for their partnership as we help to restore one of our most beloved parks. We also want to acknowledge Wiregrass Ecological Associates, who completed the work, as well as Meta, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, and Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society who supported it financially.

Thank you for your patience as we proactively restore this habitat!

06/04/2026

Looking for a little garden inspiration this summer?

Check out Making It Grow — a weekly program from Clemson Extension and South Carolina ETV that brings practical, research-based gardening tips right to your screen.

From pollinator-friendly planting to seasonal growing advice, each episode features experts and real stories from across South Carolina—perfect for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors and learning more about the land around them.

📺 Tune in or watch online: https://www.scetv.org/watch/making-it-grow

06/03/2026

A few weeks ago, Riley Telkamp (center), ALC’s Stewardship Coordinator, joined Sarah Cerv, Forest Conservation Director for the Coastal Plain and Piedmont Regions for the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society, and Tim Evans, Land Conservation Director and Forester with Audubon South Carolina, for a tour of the 3,410-acre Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary in Jackson.

The group explored silvicultural techniques, particularly restoration and management of longleaf pine ecosystems, while also gaining insight into the site’s rich cultural history. Discussions also centered on land conservation opportunities along the Savannah River and potential collaboration between Audubon South Carolina and the Aiken Land Conservancy.

06/02/2026

A Benefit to Barnwell Birds

Last Saturday, five birders braved the threat of rain to join ALC Executive Director, Peter Kleinhenz, at a section of Barnwell State Park normally closed to public access. They were there to survey for birds; specifically, those birds that are known to benefit from burning.

A burn had been conducted back in late February as part of the Burning for Birds Conservation Collaborative, in partnership with South Carolina State Parks, Recreation, and Trails staff. During the survey, participants walked throughout the burn unit and conducted targeted surveys for five fire-adapted species. The species of interest were Northern Bobwhite, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Summer Tanager, Eastern Towhee, and Indigo Bunting. The latter three species were documented in greater abundance than they had been during a survey conducted before the burn.

In addition, participants observed species listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in South Carolina including Painted Bunting, Chimney Swift, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. They also got to see a robust response from plant species, including Clasping Milkweed, Eastern Prickly-Pear Cactus, and Bracken Fern.

With the recent rain, we are excited to get more fire on the ground this growing season. Stay tuned!

Learn more about the Burning for Birds Conservation Collaborative by visiting: https://www.burningforbirds.org/

06/02/2026

June is National Pollinator Month

From buzzing bees to fluttering butterflies, pollinators play an essential role in keeping our landscapes healthy and thriving.

In Aiken and across the Southeast, pollinators depend on native wildflowers and gardens to provide food and shelter throughout the growing season.

Small choices can make a big difference:
• Plant native flowering species that bloom at different times
• Leave some bare ground for ground-nesting bees
• Avoid pesticide use when possible

Conserved lands help support these species on a larger scale, but even small spaces at home or along property edges can make a meaningful impact.

This June, take a moment to notice the pollinators around you—you might be surprised by how much life is already there. 🐝🦋

05/28/2026

A healthier forest is taking shape at Boyd Pond Park!

Restoration work is underway, and the changes already taking place are incredible. During Aiken Land Conservancy’s recent Dufour Community Forest dedication event, guests had the opportunity to walk through the restoration area and see new plant growth emerging in post-fire conditions.

Along the way, biologist Mark Pavlosky Jr. of Wiregrass Ecological Associates shared how prescribed burns, selective clearing, and artificial nesting cavities are helping restore longleaf pine habitat and support the federally threatened red-cockaded woodpecker.

This restoration work was made possible through funding from Meta’s Data Center Community Action Grants Program at the Aiken Data Center, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society, and Dominion Energy. We are grateful to our partners and community members who joined us to celebrate this meaningful conservation effort.

05/26/2026

Nature holds stories if you know where to look.

On the public hike after the Dufour Community Forest dedication, we came across an old longleaf pine marked with historic “catface” scars from turpentine harvesting. Even more remarkable, the nail that likely once held a resin cup is still visible in the tree today.

These traces of the past offer a glimpse into the natural and cultural history preserved within this landscape.