Lowcountry Field Trip: Managing Native and Invasive Plants on the Santee Cooper Lakes

Santee Cooper Lake Management: Managing Native and Invasive Plants on the Santee Cooper Lakes

Field Trip Leaders: Judson Riser and Chad Holbrook – Santee Cooper Biological Services

Meeting location: Santee Cooper Entrance: 1 Riverwood Drive Moncks Corner, SC 29461 / Drive to the Environmental Resources Lab (Map will be provided to registered participants.)

Description: The field trip and presentation will focus on learning about the native and invasive plants that are present on the Santee Cooper Lakes and the history and facts about each of the plants. In addition, we will discuss how Biological Services uses integrated pest management (IPM) to promote native vegetation while also treating and removing invasive plant species. Afterwards, we will take a walk to the greenhouse to look at how Santee Cooper is using weevils for biological control and then down to the historic Old Santee Canal Park to identify aquatic plants present along the boardwalk.

Wear suitable and comfortable outdoor walking/hiking clothes, bring binoculars and camera (optional) , sunscreen, water, etc. Parking is available at the Environmental Resources Laboratory. Restrooms are available at the lab and the park. Picnic tables are provided at the park. Maximum walking distance will be about a mile (Lab to Greenhouse to Park boardwalk and back).

Registration is required and will be limited to 20 participants. Click link to register