Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative (Phase II, South Carolina)
PROJECT GOAL AND PROJECT AREA
Since the 1960’s, the South Carolina Piedmont has experienced a sharp decline in early-successional habitat and an increase in forest health and wildfire risks. The loss of woodland, savanna, and native grass habitats has resulted in the decline of bobwhite quail, songbirds such as the pr
airie warbler, loggerhead shrike, and Bachman’s sparrow. In 2004, the Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative began as a collaborative effort encompassing National Forest lands (8,300 acres) and private property (7,700 acres). The objective was to identify and restore woodland savannas and improve habitat for its obligate species. This landscape-level approach to ecological restoration was successful in achieving habitat and population objectives established in the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative and Partners in Flight bird conservation plans. The Indian Creek Project is a national success story, recognized by the National Association of Forest Service Retirees in 2008 with the John R. McGuire Award and in 2009 with the Two Chief’s Partnership Award. Phase II of this project builds on the successes of our earlier work and will additionally incorporate wildfire mitigation and water quality enhancement goals. Project funding allows for additional participation through landowner outreach and project footprint expansion while continuing restoration on lands identified in Phase I. By implementing restoration activities on public and adjacent private lands, this ecosystem and its suite of species, will experience accelerated forest restoration at a landscape-scale, reduced wildfire risk, increased understory vegetation and pollinator habitat, control non-native and invasive species, and protect water quality in the Broad River Basin. Goals of this project are to:
- Improve forest health through forest restoration activities to reduce the threat of Southern Pine Beetle and wildfires, as well as to improve habitat quality for woodland savanna species and other at-risk species (Monarch Butterfly and Georgia Aster).
- Implement a system of conservation practices in landscapes and wetlands for the purpose of demonstrating conservation of water quality and soil health.
- Protect water quality through erosion reduction and increased Best Management Practice compliance in the Broad River Basin as well as reforestation of eroding sites.
- Reduce wildfire risk to communities and forestland through development of Community Wildfire Protection Plan(s), fuel reduction activities, and wildfire prevention awareness.
- Stimulate local economies through natural resource management activity.
- Implement conservation measures consistent with the Candidate Conservation Agreement for Georgia Aster. RESOURCE CONCERNS BEING ADDRESSED
Excessive sediment in surface water; undesirable plant productivity and health; inadequate plant structure and composition; excessive plant pest pressure; wildfire hazard and excessive biomass accumulation; habitat degradation; impacts of invasive plants and animals on desirable plants, wildlife habitat and water quality. PARTNERS ACTIVELY ENGAGED AND CONTRIBUTIONS
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service, South Carolina Forestry Commission, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Clemson Extension Service, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District are working together to promote woodland restoration in Phase II of the Indian Creek Project Area. Working together during Phase I, these partners have a proven track record for accomplishing restoration activities through collaboration. COMMUNITIES OR POPULATIONS DIRECTLY BENEFITTING FROM THE PROJECT
This project is focused in Newberry and Union Counties. According to the U.S. Census, 17-20 percent of the population in both counties live below the poverty level. Union County is a USDA StrikeForce county with one of the highest unemployment rates (9 percent) in South Carolina. This project increases the investment in rural Newberry and Union Counties through intensive outreach and stronger partnerships. More than 550 private landowners account for approximately 19,500 acres within the project area. Of these, approximately 350 own less than 10 acres, so this project benefits them by making timber sales and other conservation activities more feasible through their participation in this landscape-level effort. A significant portion of the project area has a moderate or higher potential for wildfire, as estimated by the Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment. In addition, nearly all of the Union and Newberry County residents who live in the project area live in the Wildland Urban Interface, which is defined as the area “where humans and their structures meet or intermix with wildland fuels.” Through the use of prescribed fire and mechanical treatments, the fuel loading and associated wildfire risk near these homes will be significantly reduced. PROJECT MONITORING/EVALUATION
Technical and financial assistance is being provided to private landowners for conservation plans and practices. A multi-disciplinary team is developing and monitoring implementation plans that best utilize the landowner’s resources and meet the Initiative’s goals. New monitoring points are being used along with those established in Phase I to conduct breeding bird counts and quail covey counts as an indicator of habitat condition. Bird monitoring is long-term and results obtained are compared to future results to determine population trends and to assess efficacy of project implementation. New photo points are also being established. The effectiveness of wildfire risk mitigation efforts is being gauged through the reporting of the number of Community Wildfire Protection Plans developed as well as through the size and occurrence of wildfires in the project area after mitigation versus pre-mitigation. An additional indicator is the reduction in wildfire risk as shown in fuels modeling. Water quality protection is monitored through Best Management Plan courtesy exams. Sites adjacent to streams are evaluated according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service Stream Visual Assessment Protocol.
