Boardwalk Reaching End of Lifespan

The 1.75-mile boardwalk at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest was completed in 1977.  Hurricane Hugo made a mess of it in 1989, but much of the boardwalk remains the original 1977 lumber.  Through it all, the boardwalk has allowed visitors the chance to safely venture into the heart of the old-growth swamp to experience the peace and serenity that have characterized the area for thousands of years.  Visitors can hear the sounds of birds, insects, and breezes that have echoed through the 1000-year-old trees for ages, take relaxing and informative walk back into time, and see a swamp the way nature intended.

Unfortunately, the boardwalk is showing its age and needs your help.  Please help us build a stronger, longer-lasting, "greener" boardwalk by funding a portion of this new trail.  We will be using three different sustainably-grown, naturally-durable tropical hardwoods.  All three are incredibly rot-resistant and should last three times longer than pressure-treated wood.  Costs will approach $2 million.  Your support will make it possible for people from all over the world to continue to experience this natural wonder.

You may mail your contribution to:
Francis Beidler Forest
336 Sanctuary Rd.
Harleyville, SC 29448
(put "Boardwalk Fund" in the memo line) or donate online at Beidler Forest Boardwalk Fund.

The January-February 2011 edition of Audubon Magazine contained an article highlighting the Francis Beidler Forest.

Image by Mark Musselman