Help the Forest Service Plan the Future of the Francis Marion National Forest!

Francis Marion National Forest -- I'On Swamp -- January 30, 2011

           You know how one thing leads to another, right?  Case in point:  I was researching on-line for a future blog post some potential publicly-accessible sites where a particular plant might be be growing.  The plant in question grows in calcium rich soil and, according to A Guide to the Wildflowers of South Carolina, by Richard Porcher and Douglas Raynor, shell mounds are a likely habitat.  The best known local shell mound, close to Charleston, is the Sewee Shell Mound in the Francis Marion Forest.  Well one link leads to another and I found a timely reminder of an important event that I had heard of once -- via one of our local TV news stations (I think).  The US Forest Service is seeking public input as they revise the Forest Plan (its land and resource management plan)  for the Francis Marion National Forest!   The last plan was completed in 1995 and focused on helping the forest to recover from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Hugo in 1989.  Due to the significant changes in the surrounding communities over the past 17 years, the Forest Service faces new opportunities and challenges in managing the forest.  The 2012 forest planning rule will guide the Forest Service in designing the new plan and it places greater emphasis on public involvement than ever before.   Wow!  What an opportunity for all of us who love the forest,  the recreational opportunities and the protective wildlife habitat that it offers!   The comment period runs from February 11, 2013 to April 11, 2013 and can be easily done via an interactive on-line site.  You can access the interactive site via the Francis Marion National Forest page or via the Francis Marion Plan Revision 2012 - 2016 page.  The latter gives more details on the forest planning process as well information on a public workshop to be held this Tuesday, February 26, 2013 in North Charleston.  If only I did not have to go to work!   I imagine that several stakeholder groups will be in attendance and the squeaky wheel does get most of the attention.  I hope that representatives of various conservation groups will attend in good number as we need to protect the forest's diverse and critically important habitats for the most important stakeholders -- the wildlife! 

         To remind you of the beauty of the forest and the flora and the fauna that call it home, here are few of my favorite photos from various places within the forest boundaries.

Indian Pink -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 14, 2006

  

Summer Tanager -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 29, 2007

 

Red-cockaded Woodpecker -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 16, 2009

Pickerelweed -- Francis Marion Forest -- May, 16, 2009

Sweet Water-Lily --- May 16, 2009

Wild Turkey -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 16, 2009

  

Carl on I'On Swamp Trail -- Francis Marion Forest -- January 30, 2011

Sewee Visitor Center -- Francis Marion National Forest -- April 7, 2010

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher -- Sewee Visitor Center -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 7, 2010

Red Wolf -- Captive Breeding program -- Sewee Visitor Center -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 7, 2010

Barn Swallow -- Sewee Visitor Center -- April 7, 2010

Barn Swallow -- Sewee Visitor Center -- April 7, 2010

 

Damselfly -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 14, 2011

Damselfly -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 14, 2011

Dragonfly -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 14, 2011

 I have looked at dozens of photos of dragonflies and I cannot find one like this one.  Perhaps one of my entomologist friends will be able to supply us with a species name.

Virginia Dayflower (maybe?) -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 14, 2011

Six-lined Racerunner Skink -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 14, 2011

Eastern Cottontail (?) -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 14, 2011

Willow Hall & Whilden Roads Fish Pond -- Francis Marion Forest -- May 14, 2011

Coral Bean -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Carolina Chickadee -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Prairie Warbler -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Palamedes Swallowtail on thistle -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Palamedes Swallowtail on thistle -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Bachman's Sparrow -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Prothonotary Warbler with weird brown mark on head -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Common Yellowthroat -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

White-Marked Tussock Moth Caterpillar -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron -- Francis Marion Forest -- April 28, 2012

Starry Rosin-Weed with Skipper -- April 28, 2012

             I could not determine the species of Skipper on the flower above.  If any of my expert entomologist friends know, please tell us!

           If you love the forest, please do not hesitate to use the links above to have a say in its future management!  I hope that some will consider going to the meeting, too!