This one-day workshop will explore the Sandhills, a unique ecoregion stretching through North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Our exploration will place a significant focus on the geological formation of this ecoregion, with a look at the sandy sediments that serve as the namesake for the region. The sediments are displayed in several forms, including sandstone formations, Cretaceous cross beds laid down by ancient waters flowing out of the Piedmont, and by vast, ice-age sand dunes that serve as the top dressing for this region. We’ll visit several sites to see these geological features in clear detail as we uncover the ways in which the region formed, while imagining what it must have been like back then.

The sand formations of long ago have been preserved thanks to the vegetation that now tops them, so along the way, we will investigate several plant communities, where a few fall wildflowers will be in bloom. In pocosin communities, which border the black waters of the Sandhills, we will identify the common species of evergreen shrubs that make this community so dense. With any luck, pine barrens gentian (below) will be in bloom at the edge of the pocosin. In longleaf pine – scrub oak communities, we will glance at the four scrub oak species, a few towering longleaf pine trees, and the wiregrass so characteristic of this forest. Herbaceous Seepage communities will give us a glimpse of several carnivorous plants: trumpet pitcher plant, sweet pitcher plant, and frogs breeches.

While the Sandhills grow more silent in the fall, animals will also be addressed, especially those unique to this ecoregion. Bird species associated with these Sandhills include the federally endangered red-cockaded Woodpecker, brown-headed nuthatches, chipping sparrows, pine warblers, northern harriers, and American kestrels.

At the end of the day, participants will understand how the South Carolina Sandhills formed and how this formation led to the many adaptations we see in our Sandhills flora and fauna. In addition, participants will obtain skills needed to identify several habitats and species common to this ecoregion.

When: Tuesday, October 28.  We’ll meet at 9 AM. The day will conclude sometime around 3 PM. Please note that there is no rain date for this event.  We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers.  If the weather or conditions necessitate cancellation, we will notify you and refund your money.

Where: We will meet at the visitor’s center of Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, one of South Carolina’s most magnificent preserves.

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 70 miles northeast of Columbia, South Carolina. The main entrance is on US Hwy. 1, about 4 miles northeast from the small town of McBee, S.C. The address is: 23734 U.S. Highway 1, McBee, SC 29101.

Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age is 16. Lunch will last thirty minutes, so depending on when we finish, this will count for approximately five and a half to six hours of training. If you are not a Master Naturalist, forget all that.  Just come have fun with us.

Other Important Notes:

Participants will need to pack a lunch and be prepared for a day in the field including easy to moderate hikes, mosquitoes, heat, briars, and possible encounters with a few perilous creatures. The Sandhills can be hot, even in the fall. Restrooms should be available upon arrival and once more at lunchtime. Participants need a willingness to carpool during our day together (it’s good for the earth and for us).

This class will be taught by Austin Jenkins, who teaches and facilitates the Midlands Master Naturalist class for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. Jenkins is a native of Camden, SC and studied Biology Education at The Citadel. He went on to study various and sundry plants and animals at Clemson University. A Naturalist at USC Sumter, Jenkins teaches Natural History of South Carolina and Environmental Biology.

Communication will occur prior to the outing via email. Make sure you check email and if you change your address in the meantime, it is your responsibility to notify us. We plan to send a list of participants with cities and phone numbers to facilitate carpooling.  If you wish to avoid this, let us know.

Yes, Austin will have some prizes. He will bring the raffle tickets and some native plants. Currently the collection contains Georgia aster, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, and mayapple.

Cost: The cost is $75.00 per person and is limited to the first 20 people who register.