Francis Beidler Forest
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The Francis Beidler Forest is an Audubon wildlife sanctuary in Four Holes Swamp, a blackwater creek system in South Carolina. It consists of over 15,000 acres (61 km²) of mainly bald cypress/tupelo gum swamp with approximately 1,800 acres (7 km²) of virgin, old-growth forest. It has an environmental education center and a 1.75-mile (2.82 km) boardwalk trail through the virgin, old-growth portion of the swamp. It is a favorite haunt of birdwatchers and is used for biological research projects by area schools. The Audubon Society which maintains the preserve along with the Nature Conservancy, has recently obtained funding with which to purchase additional adjacent land to expand the preserve. It is home to the largest virgin stand of cypress and tupelo forest, with some trees over 1,000 years old.
At high water there is guided canoeing in the swamp, which offers a different perspective as one paddles through the shallow channel and cypress knees. A list of plants and animals that can be seen from the boardwalk or canoe trail can be found at Species List.
The sanctuary is open Tues-Sun, 9am-5pm (closed Mondays and some holidays). The costs are $7.00/adult, $3.50/child (6-18), free (children 5 and under).
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