BLUE HERON NATURE TRAIL & LEARNING CENTER

Traveling on I-95, you will see this billboard alerting travelers to this hidden treasure at Exit 21, South of Charleston and just north of Savannah.

A Success Story of Community, Conservation, and Dedication

With the vision of the Jasper Soil and Water Conservation District and many other volunteers, construction of a nature trail and Learning Center in Jasper County was a high priority in the late 1980s. Many partnerships evolved from this endeavor.

This is the entrance to the trail before construction. Note the light pole in the center and stores in the background.

This is the same location once construction was completed.

This is another angle of the same area of the trail with protected wetlands in the background. Note again the light pole and flagging laying out the trail.

This is the same location after trail construction.

Much thought went into the detail of trail construction. A local brick mason donated his talent and materials for the butterfly garden.

Butterfly garden attracts many visitors as well as wide array of wildlife.

At the center of the trail is the 3-acre pond that offers great wildlife viewing.

Floating docks were installed for better wildlife viewing.

This is a typical scene at the pond.

These grass carp assist in the weed management of the pond.

Viewing pond wildlife from the dock is always a popular activity at the trail.

When visitors aren’t present wildlife like it too.

This is a picture of the original dirt trail around the lake.

Visitors now enjoy a spring in their step from the recycled tire materials in the trail. This surface was made possible with a grant from SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control.

Wildlife like it too.

Carol Stanley, Conservation District commissioner, was always on hand to help with the construction of the entire Learning Center and trail. Sadly, Carol passed away before the project was complete. The Learning Center classroom is dedicated to him.

Maintenance is also needed and community volunteers are an integral part of the Center.

Kiosks along the trail provide visitors information on SC Lowcountry’s natural resources.

This completed kiosk tells about the wonderful world of wetlands.

Other interpretive centers along the trail aid in educating visitors.

Also featured along the trail is a dry fire hydrant which provides additional education opportunities and fire safety.

Of course, we try to identify the local flora with these metal signs.

A ¼ mile of boardwalk was constructed to facilitate access to the wetlands included in the trail.

The outdoor classroom adds to the education experience of our young visitors.

After the completion of the trail, a plan emerged for the construction of the environmental education Center.

Our Conservation District chairman, Gordon Wells, began fundraising in December 1999. Lowcountry RC&D received funds through Environmental Justice Grant program to kick off the fundraising drive. Projects of this magnitude are not possible without financial assistance and the determination of individuals like Gordon Wells.

Another example of community involvement, this local logger cut the sawtimber off the lot, hauled it to the mill, and gave the District the check from the mill at no charge.

Foundation for the Learning Center was laid out.

Logs arrive August 2000.

A local contractor donated his time to this project. Allowing the costs to remain as low as possible to the District.

The Learning Center begins to take shape….

Once the building was complete (October 2001), our attention focused on landscaping. The District was fortunate to receive assistance from Stan Jones, Clemson Extension, in landscape design.

Palmetto trees were the first to go in as part of the landscape design.

Salkahatchie Youth Challenge Academy provided landscaping work as a teaching tool for their commercial horticulture program.

Beds prepped and mulched.

Pavers were installed.

All landscaping material was donated by local businesses; lowering the overall cost of the project.

Environmental Center complete!

The 4,200 sq. ft. Center houses an exhibit room, dedicated to Jim Cope.

The exhibit room contains a wealth of materials, mostly donated from locals who support resource conservation. A bee farm is pictured here.

The Classroom is dedicated to Carol Stanley. Currently, over 2,000 students visit the classroom annually. Pictured here is one of our favorite programs: Feathers, Furs, and Fins.

Everyone loves animal tracks!

We utilize the pond and the trail in all of our outdoor programs. Here we are doing an activity in pond ecology.

Numerous workshops are conducted for the public at the Center also.

We hope you will come see us at the Blue Heron Learning Center, we are tucked away behind the pond and live oaks at Exit 21 on I-95.

We would like to extend a special thanks to all those who helped make this a true success story.

Thanks for keeping Jasper Beautiful!