The Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
helps protect the largest undeveloped estuary along the Atlantic Coast, with
rich bottomland hardwoods and fresh and salt water marsh offering food and
cover to a variety of wildlife. ACE
Basin stands for the Ashepoo, Combahee, and
Edisto Rivers, which form the estuary and parts of the Refuge boundary.
The entire basin encompasses more than 350,000 acres, of which the Refuge
comprises just less than 12,000 acres.
American Alligators are frequently seen sunning on the dikes or edges of the water, and snakes and lizards are commonly seen during the warmer months.
Wood storks are commonly seen feeding in refuge impoundments along with other water birds, including herons, egrets, and ibis.
Other commonly seen wildlife species include raccoon, bobcats, deer, opossums, foxes, and feral hogs.
Upland fields are managed for neotropical migratory songbirds, such as the Painted Bunting.
Refuge impoundments are managed for wintering waterfowl and migratory shorebirds.
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Endangered wood storks have been slowly leaving their historic south Florida home due to loss of habitat and have moved north to places such as ACE Basin to nest.