The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is the state agency responsible for protecting and managing the state’s natural and cultural resources, from fish and wildlife to plants and special places. With over 1,100 employees working across all 46 counties, their mission is to serve as the principal advocate for and steward of South Carolina’s natural resources. Their team includes technicians, biologists, game wardens, educators, scientists and administrators who work diligently to balance sound science, strong conservation ethics, and the public’s best interests. SCDNR enforces hunting, fishing, boating, and other state and federal laws to protect the resources and those enjoying them. They research solutions to new challenges, study the breadth of our resources, and advocate for science-based decisions. SCDNR also provides outdoor recreational opportunities on hundreds of thousands of acres of well-managed public lands for the benefit of current and future generations.
The 2024 issue of Loggerheadlines features articles about the state of sea turtle tagging, nesting, research, and conservation news in South Carolina. SCDNR works with volunteers to protect sea turtle nests as beach erosion and storms continue to threaten turtle breeding grounds. The South Carolina Sea Turtle Stranding and Savage Network handles calls and responds to sick, injured, or dead sea turtles along South Carolina’s beaches and coastal waters as the numbers of reported incidents increased from 2023. When turtles are stranded on South Carolina’s coasts and need additional care, the sea turtles are rehabilitated at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston. This newsletter also highlights efforts to educate people about the dangers watercraft and human debris can pose to sea turtles. SCDNR is also currently partnered with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, Georgia DNR, and the University of Georgia to study the maternal and paternal DNA of loggerhead sea turtles in South Carolina. There is so much to learn about sea turtles in the Palmetto State!
The complete list of May electronic South Carolina state publications is now available. The South Carolina Digital State Documents Depository provides electronic access to state agency publications. These publications provide citizens with crucial information about state government and include statistics, reports, and data on a wide variety of topics related to the state.
For more information about our depository for state publications, visit our online guide.
