Lisa Matthews Memorial Bay Workday

04/04/2026 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM ET

Category

Midlands Event

Location

Lisa Matthews Memorial Bay
US 301
Olar, SC

Summary

Needed activities include cutting back woody growth around bluebird nest boxes, cutting back woody vegetation along the firebreaks, removal of non-native/invasive plants, native plant and beneficial insect identification and documentation.

Description

Situated in Bamberg County, South Carolina, the Lisa Matthews Memorial Bay (LMMB) is a 52-acre preserve consisting of a wonderfully diverse Carolina Bay and longleaf pine uplands.  LMMB was acquired by the South Carolina Native Plant Society in 2003. The property is home to one of the largest populations of the Federally Endangered plant Canby’s Dropwort and is an excellent example of longleaf ecosystem restoration in the uplands.  https://scnps.org/lisa-matthews-memorial-bay/
 
SCNPS Bay Committee has been organizing and conducting restoration and management activities over 20 years. While we hire professionals for beneficial management practices such as prescribed burning and mechanical woody plant reduction, volunteers can help with general property maintenance.
 
Needed activities include cutting back woody growth around bluebird nest boxes, cutting back woody vegetation along the firebreaks, removal of non-native/invasive plants, native plant and beneficial insect identification and documentation. During the dormant season, bluebird boxes need to be cleaned out and there is always trash to remove from the roadside.
Sudie Thomas will show the group around the property and point out needed property and habitat maintenance practices that can be done by volunteers.
 
The property is on the west side of Hwy. 301 8 miles south of Bamberg and just south of Olar, turn into the Bamberg Hunt Club gate and pull up to dirt road to park: 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sFg3rrSfxMGL5LVGA , 33.201441741685066, -81.11173311505308
 
There are no facilities or water on site.  Wear comfortable clothing and boots, sunscreen, a hat, etc.