The team will begin with a 1.5-hour guided tour of Botany Bay Heritage Preserve, exploring one of South Carolina’s most unique and scenic coastal landscapes. Following the tour, they will travel 15 minutes to the Edisto Environmental Learning Center to embark on a DNR Discovery boat trip into the ACE Basin.
Spanning over 1 million acres, the ACE Basin—named for the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers—is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. This ecological treasure features a remarkable diversity of habitats, including tidal marshes, cypress swamps, longleaf pine forests, and barrier islands. It serves as a critical sanctuary for migratory birds, endangered species, and a vast array of wildlife.
The preservation of the ACE Basin is the result of a groundbreaking public-private partnership involving state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, and private landowners. This collaborative effort has positioned the ACE Basin as a national model for land conservation and sustainable use.
Beyond its ecological value, the ACE Basin is rich in cultural and historical heritage, with deep connections to Native American communities, colonial rice plantations, and the enduring legacy of the Gullah-Geechee people who have shaped the region’s identity.
Your attention, please…
This excursion is closed to the public. We encourage you to do your own exploration of Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area.