We are a family that is passionate about the outdoors and believes we are responsible for its stewardship. Matt and I didn’t set out to instill this belief in our daughter. It just sort of happened. We looked at our baby girl and thought, “Well, you’re coming into the woods with us, kid”. It’s all she’s ever known, and we’re glad we did it that way. She loves and appreciates all that is nature.
So, we laced up our hiking boots and headed out, and we explored The Audubon Center & Sanctuary at Francis Biedler Forest. This 18,000-acre forest is protected by Audubon South Carolina; this group has made it their mission to conserve and restore land habitats that are vital to birds and their survival. Our family recently learned that almost 3 billion birds have disappeared from North America since 1970. This was shocking and disheartening to me! And I realized that we need to appreciate birds and the important role they play in our ecosystems. So supporting a site like the Audubon Center & Sanctuary is important to our family to ensure this ecosystem continues to be protected.
While at Beidler Forest, we decided to walk the 1.75-mile swamp boardwalk trail. It was a short walk, but it is meant to be walked leisurely to observe all the critters it has to offer, birds in particular. Unfortunately, we only saw one little critter: a cute, speckled turtle. We did see the occasional fleeing bird, but we were ill-prepared without binoculars. Don’t forget those at home! The center also advises you to visit at different times of the year to see different wildlife. Fall wasn’t the best time for us, but this doesn’t mean that Beidler Forest isn’t teeming with life. It is home to a variety of mammals like the cute North American river otter, bobcats, red foxes, coyotes, armadillos, and different types of rabbits. It provides sanctuary to our daughter’s favorite reptiles: snakes, turtles, and lizards. And amphibians, fish, insects, plants, and trees also call this sanctuary home.
Oh, you can’t forget birds, of course! This place is known to have over 150 bird species visiting each year. If you’re a bird enthusiast, this is your place. We can’t say that we are wholeheartedly into birds, but the interest is slowly creeping up on us, and we’ve come to appreciate the majesty, beauty, and importance of birds. They encourage us to stop, slow down, and observe. This is hard to do in an otherwise fast-paced world. I encourage you to take your kids out in nature. Instill in them an appreciation of nature and recognition of the contributions animals make in our diverse ecosystems. Beidler Forest offers that opportunity. If you can’t make it to Beidler Forest, support places like the Audubon Center & Sanctuary. Visit your local bird shop or state park. They will be able to direct you to local sanctuaries or advise you on how to help.
I hope you and your kiddos lace up your shoes and get outdoors! Comment on your favorite nature spots. We’re always looking for new places to explore.
For more information about visiting Beidler Forest, visit here. You can find information about admission, location, hours, pets, reservations, programs, and much more.
If you’re interested in the bird species found at Beidler, you can see their species lists here.
If you would like to learn more about birds and how you can help, visit the amazing Cornell Lab of Ornithology website here.
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