Staff Report

Indian Creek Project tour participants visited a site in the Sumter National Forest to learn more about forest management practices that help improve forest health and provide crucial habitat for wildlife.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_larry_cope_road.jpgIndian Creek Project tour participants visited a site in the Sumter National Forest to learn more about forest management practices that help improve forest health and provide crucial habitat for wildlife. Courtesy photos

Landowner George Oxner, left, and Lisa Good, second from the left, listen as Reginald Hall, second from the right, discusses forest management practices implemented on Oxner’s property as Staci Henry, right, looks on. Good is the NRCS District Conservationist in Union County, Hall is an NRCS Natural Resource Specialist and Henry is the NRCS District Conservationist in Newberry County. Oxner is participating in the Indian Creek Project.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Oxner_group.jpgLandowner George Oxner, left, and Lisa Good, second from the left, listen as Reginald Hall, second from the right, discusses forest management practices implemented on Oxner’s property as Staci Henry, right, looks on. Good is the NRCS District Conservationist in Union County, Hall is an NRCS Natural Resource Specialist and Henry is the NRCS District Conservationist in Newberry County. Oxner is participating in the Indian Creek Project. Courtesy photos

Indian Creek Project tour participants visited the property of landowner George Oxner, an Indian Creek Project participant, to learn more about the forest management practices he implemented on his property, including prescribed burning, thinning and waterbar construction.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Oxner_group2.jpgIndian Creek Project tour participants visited the property of landowner George Oxner, an Indian Creek Project participant, to learn more about the forest management practices he implemented on his property, including prescribed burning, thinning and waterbar construction. Courtesy photos

NEWBERRY — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service and their state and local partners held a tour and workshop recently on the Indian Creek Project, designed to improve wildlife habitat, protect water quality and reduce wildlife threats on private agricultural and forest lands.

The tour and workshop were held Aug. 27 for Newberry County and Union County farmers and other landowners in the Indian Creek Project area.

“USDA is committed to helping farmers and other landowners in the Indian Creek area take full advantage of all the resources available to them on the federal, state and local levels,” said Ann English, State Conservationist for NRCS in South Carolina. “We want to invest in this valuable ecosystem for future generations.”

About 40 private farmers and landowners attended a three-hour tour of private agricultural land and public forest lands to learn more about the Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative (Indian Creek Project). During the tour, producers saw examples of forest management practices they can implement on their own properties.

During a workshop after the tour, they heard presentations from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, USDA-NRCS, S.C. Forestry Commission and USDA’s Forest Service about technical and financial resources available to them to implement forest management plans and practices such as prescribed burning, waterbar construction, tree planting and firebreaks.

The financial and technical resources discussed during the tour and workshop will be available to farmers and landowners who own private agricultural and forest lands and live within the priority areas covered under the Indian Creek Project. Much of the conservation work conducted on private agricultural and forest lands can significantly impact public forest and grasslands.

Encouraging collaboration in national forests and on nearby private lands is the essence of the Indian Creek Project.

Diverse partners from federal, state and local governments, non-government organizations and universities are involved and include USDA-NRCS, U.S. Forest Service, S.C. Forestry Commission, Newberry Soil and Water Conservation District, Union Soil and Water Conservation District, S.C. Department of Natural Resources, National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Forever, S.C. Tree Farm Program and Clemson Extension.

The three-year Indian Creek Project was selected for funding in 2015 through USDA’s Chiefs Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership. Projects funded through this partnership are designed to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where private and public lands meet.

NRCS will invest a minimum of $540,000 over three years to provide financial assistance to farmers and other landowners. The U.S. Forest Service and its partners will invest nearly $580,000 over three years on public lands in the two counties.

Initially began in 2004, the Indian Creek Project restored woodland savanna habitat on 8,300 acres of the Sumter National Forest as well as 7,700 acres of private agricultural and forest lands for the project’s first phase. The project received awards from the National Association of Forest Service Retirees and the USDA’s national Two Chief’s Partnership Award.

The second phase of the project will help speed up woodland savanna restoration, reduce wildfire risk and enhance water quality. The project will cover 21,000 acres of public land and 19,000 acres of private agricultural and forest lands.

The restoration also will provide crucial habitat for important and declining grassland birds, including Northern Bobwhite, Loggerhead Shrike, Prairie Warbler and Bachman’s Sparrow.

Landowners in Newberry and Union Counties can learn more about the Indian Creek Project and how they can apply for technical and financial assistance by visiting their local USDA Service Center. In Newberry, contact NRCS District Conservationist Staci Henry at 803-276-1978, ext. 107. In Union, contact NRCS District Conservationist Lisa Good at 864-984-6921, ext. 107.