Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve facts for kids

The Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve is a huge natural area, about 10,427 acres (that's like 7,900 football fields!), located near Carolina Forest, South Carolina. It's named after one of the many mysterious Carolina Bays found there. Scientists are still trying to figure out how these oval-shaped depressions were formed!

Amazing Animals and Plants

The Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve is a special place for nature lovers. The National Audubon Society says it's very important for birds.

Wildlife in the Preserve

You can find many cool animals here, including:

• Black bears: These large mammals roam the preserve.
• Red-cockaded woodpeckers: These rare birds make their homes in old pine trees.
• Bald eagles: Look up to spot these majestic birds soaring overhead.
• Other animals like raccoons, foxes, squirrels, and quail also live here.
• Deer are still hunted in the preserve, just as they were by Native Americans long ago.

Unique Plants and Flowers

This preserve is home to some very unique plants:

• Venus flytrap: This is one of the few places where you can find the famous Venus flytrap growing naturally! In 2017, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said this plant needed special protection because its habitat was changing.
• Orchids: Beautiful orchids add splashes of color.
• Pitcher plants: These fascinating plants trap insects in their pitcher-shaped leaves.

Different Habitats

The preserve has different types of areas:

• Carolina Bays: These are the oval-shaped wetlands that often dry up in summer. Here you'll find plants like blueberry, huckleberry, and sweetbay.
• Pocosins: These are shrub bogs (wet, spongy areas) surrounding the bays. They have pond pine and loblolly pine trees.
• Longleaf Pine Savannas: These open, grassy areas with scattered Longleaf pine trees are found between the bays. You might also see Dwarf live oak and turkey oak trees.

A Look Back in Time

The Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve has a rich history, from old plantations to a military bombing range.

Early History and Industries

• In the 1800s, some parts of this area were plantations. There was even a small village called Vaught.
• Important industries here used to be making turpentine from pine trees and logging (cutting down trees). You can still see old pine stumps that show how they were used for turpentine.

World War II Training Area

• During World War II, a large part of the preserve was used as a gunnery range by the United States Army Air Corps.
• Soldiers practiced bombing and machine gun shooting here. You can still find remnants of targets and an old army post.
• Many families had to move from their homes in 1942 so the land could be used for the bombing range.

The Clear Pond Fire

• On April 10, 1976, the Clear Pond Fire started from a campfire on land owned by International Paper.
• This was the largest fire in South Carolina's history! Because the area was very dry and the plants burn easily, about 28,000 acres burned in just two days.

Protecting the Land

• In 1976, the South Carolina legislature created the Heritage Trust program. This program helps protect special natural areas with important plants, animals, and other resources.
• The Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve was created in 1989 when the first large section was bought from International Paper.
• Over the years, more sections have been added, like the Tiger Bay Tract in 2007 and the Vaught Tract in 2013. These additions help protect more of this valuable green space. The most recent addition was the 25-acre Hinson Tract in 2014.

International Drive and the Preserve

International Drive
Lt. Gen. James B. Vaught Memorial Highway
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Route information
Maintained by Horry County
Length	6.2 mi (10.0 km)
Existed	1993 (also as Burroughs Road) 2018 (paved)–present
Major junctions
West end	SC 90 near Conway
East end	SC 31/Grissom Parkway in Carolina Forest
Location
Counties:	Horry
Highway system
South Carolina highways

International Drive is a road that runs near and through parts of the preserve. Its construction has been a topic of discussion because of its closeness to the natural area.

The 2009 Fire and Road Plans

• In April 2009, another big fire burned about 2,000 acres of the preserve. This fire made people realize how important it was to have better roads for emergency vehicles.
• The idea of paving International Drive became more urgent after the fire. People hoped a paved road would help emergency crews reach fires faster in the future.

Protecting Wildlife During Road Construction

• Building a road near a preserve can affect wildlife. To protect animals like bears, there were plans to build tunnels and fences to help them cross the road safely.
• However, these plans were later changed, and the road was expanded to four lanes. This led to discussions between environmental groups and the county about how to best protect the preserve's animals.
• After some legal discussions, construction on International Drive began in late 2016. The road officially opened on July 25, 2018. While development has happened on one side, the western part of the preserve remains protected.