Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve

This month we are going to the Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area (AGTHP). As the name implies, this area is excellent habitat for the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), which is typically found in sandy-soiled, longleaf pine/wiregrass communities. The gopher tortoise is the only species of tortoise east of the Mississippi River and is a keystone species, providing habitat for over 300 other species in the long (30 foot) underground burrows they dig. The gopher tortoise is federally threatened/state-listed endangered; AGTHP is the Northern-most location for this species. As these tortoises are rare, attempts to repopulate this area with them is on-going.

The preserve actually contains three general areas with different habitats. North of Oak Ridge Club Road, the habitat starts off with longleaf pine communities and slowly transitions to mixed forest with lots of undergrowth (northern portion). South of Oak Ridge Club Road is longleaf pine community. In this area are the remnants of pens where young gopher tortoises were acclimated to the area. There are also three red-cockaded woodpeckers clusters (orange spots on the map). This area gradually moves downhill (southwards) towards Spring Branch stream and Hallmans Pond. The Spring Branch stream and Hallmans Pond are also accessible from the Southern parking areas on Long Cane Road (off of Centerwood Road). Hallmans Pond currently sports a beaver dam. A number of birds should be out and binoculars are highly suggested. Mammal tracks and some insects (dragonflies/damselflies, butterflies/moths, grasshoppers) have been spotted recently, and early spring flowers are beginning to bloom.

A few things to be aware of: the roads through the Preserve are ploughed sand, so caution is advised when driving down them as there are soft spots and ruts. There are eight parking areas around the preserve (marked as blue dots on the trail map), but they will not hold a large number of cars, so SCANners will have to spread out to park after our initial meeting. Parking on the roads is NOT recommended for any length of time as there is no shoulder.

Trails are shown on the map in the March newsletter. The red lines mark out plowed firebreaks that are usually used for walking trails. Blue lines are unplowed trails, but visitors can still use them. There are few trails through parts of the property to limit disturbing the tortoises. Both types of trails have areas of deep sand which can make walking a bit strenuous. Cell phone coverage is spotty in places. There are no bathroom facilities on the property (and very few populated centers nearby) so plan accordingly.

Parking information for our initial gathering is pending as parking areas are very limited in space, so stay tuned for that information. At this gathering, we will hopefully be joined by Hunter Young, the Heritage Preserve Biologist for Region 3 (SC Department of Natural Resources), whom many will recognize as our well-versed guide at Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve in January. If you have any questions about the preserve, have them ready!

Directions:
1858 Oak Ridge Club Road, Williston, SC 29853 Lat: 33.50314893567487 Long: -81.41751171457207

These directions are for the Oak Ridge Club Road area generally. Consult the map for locations of the parking areas around the preserve.

From Columbia: take I-20 west towards Augusta. Get off at Exit 39 (US 178) and turn left. Continue on 178 to Fairview Crossroads. Turn right onto SC 113 (Wagener Hwy); after about 500 feet SC 113 will veer left. SC 113 will travel through Wagener. Follow SC 113 – it will eventually become S Dixie Rd/2-38 – until it dead-ends (7 miles). Turn right onto Veterans Road/2-22 and drive approximately 5 miles. Oak Ridge Club Road will be on the right, just past a bridge over a creek.

From Charleston: take I-26 west to exit 154. Head west on 301 through Orangeburg through Edisto (the town). At the Y-intersection, veer right, following SC 4. Follow SC 4 through Springfield. About 6 miles from Springfield SC 4 intersects with Veterans Road/2-22. Turn left on Veterans Road. Follow it for approximately 2 miles. Oak Ridge Club Road will be on the right, just past a bridge over a creek.