South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

The Natural Resources Board has selected retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Stowe (Tom) Mullikin, Ph.D., J.D. as the next director of the S.C. Department of Resources. Mullikin served as chairman of the South Carolina Floodwater Commission and is a seasoned environmental attorney who has studied environmental issues worldwide. In addition to his environmental experience, Mullikin is a decorated retired senior military officer, having served with the U. S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps, U. S. Army Reserve, where he was the international legal officer and assistant staff judge advocate attached to an element of the U. S. Army Special Operations Command. Mullikin retired as major general/commander of the S.C. State Guard. Mullikin's selection follows the announced retirement of Director Robert H. Boyles, Jr. after 32 years of state service, and must be submitted to the state Senate for confirmation when the General Assembly returns next year. Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/eSyT9Ggq

Our Conservation Districts team, along with commissioners and district employees, attended the first Farm and Forest Recovery Resource Days this past Friday to connect those in need with their local districts. The next two events will be held at: - Greenville Technical College, Nov. 21 from 2pm-7pm - Farm Bureau Convention in Myrtle Beach, Dec. 6 from 9am-4pm If you are unable to attend any of these events and would like to be connected to your district, please fill out this brief survey: https://lnkd.in/eW8dChPb

?? Sea turtle nesting season may have ended, but you can help South Carolina sea turtles year-round. Here's how: Boat Carefully ?? Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially in small tidal creeks where young sea turtles often feed. Your attention can save lives! Report Hooked, Stranded or Dead Sea Turtles ?? If you hook a sea turtle at a pier or encounter a stranded or dead sea turtle along the coast, please call our 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431 so a volunteer/staffer can respond. Your quick report can make a difference! Check-Off for Wildlife ?? When completing your state tax return, consider making a contribution to the Endangered Wildlife Fund, which supports SCDNR's work on loggerhead sea turtles, among other species.

Attention, Edisto Island boaters: Be aware of a low-hanging power line along a section of Scott’s Creek, between the end of State Cabin Road and S.C. Highway 174/Palmetto Boulevard, due to a downed power pole. Sailboats should avoid the area altogether and other vessels navigate with caution. Buoys and signs will mark the area by the end of the day. Expect these markers to remain for up to several months while Dominion Energy works with the state to install an underground power line and remove the overhead line. Thank you for your cooperation.

We are closing a section of the access road and the entire trail at Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area in northern Pickens County, a part of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges and Franklin L. Gravely WMA. This closure is due to the road and trail being inaccessible and unsafe due to downed trees and other damage from Helene. Hunting season will remain open, and hikers may still hike off trail. The hiking trail and a section of the access road will remain closed until further notice.

Four thousand eight hundred — that's roughly the number of sea turtle nests documented by SCDNR staff and trained volunteers this season as it winds to an official close on Oct. 31. ??? Every day since April 29, members of the ~1,500-person team patrolled beaches, warded off predators and carefully excavated hatched nests to collect data. Thanks to their work, preliminary data suggests around 280,000 live hatchlings made it off South Carolina beaches and to the ocean. ?? The odds are stacked high against these hatchlings, but what's certain is that many of them would never have had a chance without the devoted efforts of so many people who care — from State Parks rangers to USFWS staff to longtime beach residents. ??? Thank you for everything you did to put another successful sea turtle season on the books! ??

Come be part of our team! We have multiple communication specialist positions available! Communication specialists are responsible for operating our statewide radio console system and Operation Game Thief hotline. Qualified individuals must possess a high school diploma and must be proficient with computers and phones. Candidates should have the ability to remain personable and have a good attitude when answering phones, including when dealing with high-stress situations. The communication center is located in West Columbia. These are on-site positions; remote work locations are not available. To learn more and apply, visit bit.ly/40aNkfz

Effective immediately, we have closed the Beech Bottom Falls and Twin Falls hiking trails in the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges in northern Pickens County. The trails are closed due to severe damage from Hurricane Helene.

Director Robert Boyles is speaking ?

Beth Foley, our conservation education coordinator and Emily Ruff, our community engagement intern participated in Riverbanks Zoo's 2024 World Migratory Bird Day this past Saturday! The event was held to bring awareness to migratory birds and factors that impact them and allowed for our staff to share conservation actions with the park guests. The theme for this year was "Protect Insects, Protect Birds" and focused on the importance of insects as essential food sources for migratory birds. Beth and Emily shared ways that our agency manages lands to improve habitat for many different bird species, as well as some of the bird surveys techniques that our biologists use to studies these species. Patrons enjoyed answering bird trivia questions for a chance to win prizes, such as subscriptions to the SC Wildlife Magazine.