O N A MILD FEBRUARY DAY , A SMALL , UNASSUMING PACKAGE ARRIVED AT THE CONSERVANCY OFFICE . EAGERLY GRABBING THE BOX , I ANNOUNCED TO THE REST OF THE OFFICE , “ THE TREES ARE HERE !”
Morgan Henkel — the Conservancy ’ s horticultural specialist and newest staff member — and I opened the box together , surprised that over one hundred trees fit into a box so little and light .
But as the saying goes , “ Big things come in small packages .” Inside sat nine species of trees native to the maritime forests of South Carolina , each initially grown at a farm in North Carolina , before being pulled from the ground during their dormant season and packaged with a coating of root hormone to ensure their survival .
Our coastal region has been grappling with the effects of climate change , characterized by frequent high tide flooding , increased storm surges , and more intense rainfall . These changes have left visible marks on our maritime forests , with eroded shorelines and stressed or dead trees becoming commonplace on our preserved properties throughout coastal South Carolina . In response to these challenges , the Conservancy launched a restoration initiative to bolster the resilience of our forests by introducing a variety of native tree species that will enhance biodiversity and create a healthier habitat for local wildlife .
This project , one of the first led by Henkel , already shows promising results . Lee Bundrick , the Conservancy ’ s senior ecological health and conservation coordinator , used satellite imagery and LiDAR data to identify potential restoration sites . He targeted areas along the marsh edge , near freshwater wetlands , and clearings in the forest with sparse midstory vegetation as focal points for the planting locations . Henkel selected tree species based on their preferred environmental conditions , and with the help of a few Conservancy staff , interns , and volunteers , she planted these trees on preserved properties on Kiawah Island as well as on newly acquired properties along Betsy Kerrison Parkway . The team mapped these new plantings in order to monitor survival rates .
Henkel and the team used a variety of methods to ensure the best chance of survival .
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