For the Birds

“We appreciate this old-growth forest. The carbon absorption rate of a tree accelerates as it ages. This means that forests comprised of tall, old trees – are some of the planet’s biggest carbon storehouses. This project combines carbon benefits with virgin forest preservation, watershed protection, and educational opportunities for tourism and the local communities.”

– Sid Yadav, Director of Project Research

Project Type: Avoided Nature Loss

Carbon Standard: Climate Action Reserve

Vintage: 2021

Additionality: Carbon finance has enabled this property to be conserved in perpetuity. Historical and surrounding-land harvests demonstrate the financial feasibility and economic value of the alternative scenario of cutting trees for this project.

Permanence: The landowners placed a conservation easement on the property, guaranteeing the land will be maintained in perpetuity in its natural state (no ongoing or planned harvesting).

Site Visit: Q2 2022

Home to snakes, crocodiles, bobcats, and bats, a visit to the Blue-Source Francis Biedler Improved Forest Management project is not for the faint of heart. In addition to 63 species of amphibians and reptiles, 56 species of neotropical birds, mammals and invertebrates, this swampy reserve is the world’s largest forest of virgin bald cypress and tupelo gum hard trees. Within its 16,000 acres of prop roots, murky waters, and range of biodiverse critters, 1,800 acres is considered an old growth forest- with some trees older than 1,000 years.

The Bluesource – Francis Beidler Improved Forest Management project is an Audubon wildlife sanctuary in Four Holes Swamp, a blackwater creek system in South Carolina. The project is dominated by native hardwood species (bald cypress, black gum, red maple, sweet gum, water oak) in uneven aged stands with a smaller component of native softwoods (loblolly, spruce, longleaf pine). While the streams are certainly not for swimming, 60 species of fish who reside in the Atlantic Ocean as adults, started life in these streams, as they feed into other streams and rivers that merge with the Atlantic Ocean.

Before the Audubon Society acquired the land, the area was harvested for timber, often cutting the most valuable trees up to 100% growth. The Audubon Society placed a permanent conservation easement on the forest property to prohibit future development or commercial harvesting. To generate funds for the long-term maintenance of the area and protection of additional buffering lands, Audubon initiated a forest carbon project.

Aside from the habitat protection provided to the flora and fauna, the forest is a tourist attraction with naturalist-guided tours, bird walks, canoe and kayak trips, summer camps, and a 1.75-mile guided walk on a raised boardwalk trail which serves to introduce newcomers to the concept of a cypress swamp.

• Preserves a unique forest environment in the midst of cropland and aggressive timber harvesting.
• Protects virgin forest habitat for 300 vertebrates, and 140 birds, including owls and 7 species of woodpeckers.
• Plays a vital role in protecting the freshwater systems of the Santee and Edisto watersheds. The swamp-like nature highlights how important forests are in acting as natural water filters for downstream city use.
• Summer camps, field trips, citizen science, and special events hosted on the property allow for the public to learn about the unique species protected on the property and the largest stand of virgin bald cypress trees in the world

• Fire is always a threat to any forest.
• The majority of trees in the sanctuary are Cypress trees and they can often be prone to disease if not properly monitored and managed
• Storms have gotten much worse, and the frequency of hurricanes has increased
• Annual reporting and stories from the project are limited and may not be available