SUMMERTON, S.C. – Santee National Wildlife Refuge is one of 550 national wildlife refuges across the country that make up more than 150 million acres of land and water for fish and wildlife conservation.

“We would like to reach out to the local community by asking folks to donate their time to a good cause, our future and the future of this beautiful area in midland South Carolina,” said Susan Heisey, park ranger at the refuge.

Heisey said volunteering at the refuge affords participants an opportunity to appreciate the natural and cultural history of this part of the state and builds pride in all that this community has to offer. Volunteers are needed for many duties, from giving information to refuge visitors to constructing bird boxes and boardwalks and picking up trash, and may donate any amount of time they can spare.

The Santee National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1941 as a sanctuary for migratory birds, encompasses a little more than 12,400 acres of habitat along the banks of Lake Marion in four separate units. The refuge visitor center as well as the Santee Indian Mound and site of Fort Watson are located on the Bluff Unit, eight miles south of Summerton on Highways 15/301.

The refuge system offers a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, environmental education, wildlife observation and photography. The adventures sponsored by the refuge include nature hikes, bird watching tours, wildlife drives and trails and other activities.

For more information about volunteering, contact the Santee National Wildlife Refuge office at 803-478-2217, or e-mail Susan Heisey@fws.gov.

T&D Correspondent Shirley Upton can be reached by e-mail at writer@ntinet.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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