Ark Lodge / Woodbury WMA

Woodbury WMA
Marion County, February 25, 2017
(Meet at the Kiosk at 10:30)
Leader: Gordon Murphy

This month we will be exploring habitats at the Woodbury Wildlife Management Area. Woodbury is an over 25,000 acre finger of land bounded by the Great Pee Dee River to the west, the Little Pee Dee River to the east, and US 378 to the north. SCAN has visited here before and as mentioned in the newsletter, this will not be an overnight trip as originally planned.

For those who have not been to Woodbury before, there are many habitats present including Carolina bays, wooded swamp, wet pine flatwoods, oxbow lakes, bottomland hardwoods, xeric pine habitat, depression wetlands, and of course, the rivers. Check out the February newsletter for a false-color infrared aerial photograph of Woodbury (courtesy  of SCDNR). The dark “signatures” are wetland areas dominated by deciduous vegetation and red signifies evergreen vegetation. With a little practice you can learn to distinguish between upland pine forest and wetland areas dominated by evergreen vegetation such as gallberry, fetterbush, loblolly bay, and pond pine.

Two specific areas that we will be exploring on the 25th are a xeric pine area located on a high ridge near the Great Pee Dee River and a wetland system that is in walking distance. This is subject to change as recent rain may have some roads impassable. I will be confirming access on the 18th and will identify other areas to visit if necessary.

Restroom facilities are not available and you will have to bring drinking water. We will be returning to our vehicles around lunchtime so no need to pack food in to the wetland. SCDNR does a good job of maintaining the roads at Woodbury, however they may be a little rough so I recommend driving vehicles with decent ground clearance. We can leave vehicles at the kiosk and carpool if necessary.

I will also scope out a place for dinner when I visit the site on the 18th.

DIRECTIONS TO WOODBURY
From Marion (US 76/US 501 Business intersection): Take US 501 Business south for approximately 2.4 miles then turn right onto SC 41 ALT. Follow SC 41 ALT approximately 12.5 miles then turn left onto SC 908. Travel approximately 7.5 miles to the intersection of US 378/SC 908 and go straight across US 378 onto Old Neck Cemetery Road/Woodberry Road. Veer right through the cemetery onto Woodberry Road. Follow Woodberry Road approximately 5 miles to the Kiosk.

From Lake City (US 378/US 52 intersection): Take US 378 east for approximately 28.3 miles and turn right onto Old Neck Cemetery Road/Woodberry Road at the US 378/SC 908 intersection. Follow Woodberry Road approximately 5 miles to the Kiosk.

From Conway (US 378/US 501 Intersection): Take US 378 west approximately 16.5 miles and turn left onto Old Neck Cemetery Road/Woodberry Road at the US 378/SC 908 intersection. Follow Woodberry Road approximately 5 miles to the Kiosk.

Woodberry Road/US 378 intersection coordinates are 33.865385, -79.332551

Kiosk coordinates are 33.805725, -79.299822