List of South Carolina wildlife management areas facts for kids

South Carolina is home to many special places called Wildlife Management Areas, or WMAs. These areas are managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to protect nature and provide places for people to enjoy the outdoors. They are important for keeping South Carolina's amazing wildlife safe and healthy.

What Are Wildlife Management Areas?

Wildlife Management Areas are lands set aside for the conservation of wildlife and their habitats. This means they help protect animals, plants, and the places where they live. These areas are often open to the public for different outdoor activities. The SCDNR works to make sure these lands are healthy for both nature and people.

Why Are These Areas Important?

WMAs play a big role in protecting South Carolina's natural beauty. They help keep different kinds of animals and plants from disappearing. These areas are like safe homes for many species, from tiny insects to large deer. They also help keep our air and water clean.

Protecting Animals and Plants

Many WMAs focus on specific animals or plants that need extra help. For example, some areas protect rare gopher tortoise habitats. Others might be important for migratory birds that travel long distances. By managing these lands, we help ensure these species have a place to thrive for many years to come.

Fun Things to Do in WMAs

WMAs offer lots of exciting things to do for families and young adventurers. You can go hiking on trails, watch birds, or take photos of nature. Many areas are great for fishing in rivers and lakes. Some WMAs also allow hunting, which is carefully managed to help keep animal populations healthy and balanced. It's a great way to connect with nature and learn about the environment.

Some South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas

South Carolina has many different WMAs, each with its own unique features. Here are just a few examples of these special places:

• Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Angelus WMA
• Ashmore Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Bear Island Wildlife Management Area
• Belfast Wildlife Management Area
• Bland Tract Dove Field, Manchester State Forest (MSF) WMA
• Bonneau Ferry Wildlife Management Area
• Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve/ Wildlife Management Area
• Brasstown Creek Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Buzzard Roost Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Caesars Head/Jones Gap
• Campbells Crossroads WMA
• Canal WMA
• Cartwheel Bay Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Causey Tract, Gravely WMA, Clemson University
• Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Cliff Pitts WMA
• Clinton Reservoir Tract
• Crackerneck Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve
• Ditch Pond Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
• Draper Wildlife Management Area
• Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Edisto River Wildlife Management Area
• Eva Russell Chandler Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Fant's Grove WMA
• Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Francis Marion National Forest
• Gray Court Tract Wildlife Management Area
• Great Pee Dee River Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Hamilton Ridge WMA
• Hatchery WMA
• Henderson Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Herbert Kirsh Wildlife Conservation Area
• Hickory Top WMA
• James L. Mason WMA
• James Ross Wildlife Reservation
• Jocassee Gorges
• Keowee WMA
• Landsford Canal Forest Legacy Area
• Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Liberty Hill WMA
• Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• London Creek Wildlife Management Area
• Longleaf Pine Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Lynchburg Savanna Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Manchester State Forest
• Marsh Wildlife Management Area
• McBee WMA
• McCalla WMA
• McConnells Tract
• Moultrie Hunt Unit WMA
• Nine Times Preserve
• Oak Lea Wildlife Management Area
• Old Island Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Palachucola Wildlife Management Area
• Pee Dee Station Site WMA
• Rock Hill Blackjacks Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Samworth Wildlife Management Area
• Sandhills State Forest WMA
• Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area
• Santee Cooper Tract WMA
• Santee Cooper Wildlife Management Area
• Santee Dam WMA
• Santee-Delta Wildlife Management Area
• South Fenwick Island
• St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Sumter National Forest - Andrew Pickens Ranger District
• Sumter National Forest - Enoree Ranger District
• Sumter National Forest - Long Cane Ranger District
• Tall Pines WMA
• Thurmond Tract Wildlife Management Area
• Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Tuomey Tract Dove Field, Manchester State Forest (MSF) WMA
• Turtle Island WMA
• Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Wadakoe Mountain Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Wateree Heritage Preserve /Wildlife Management Area
• Watson-Cooper Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
• Webb Wildlife Center
• Wee Tee WMA
• Wild Turkey Management Demonstration Area
• Woodbury WMA
• Worth Mountain WMA