ACE Basin Reserve

The ACE Basin NERR Volunteer program is dedicated to stewardship of the land that is within the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve. Our educational programs aim to instill a deeper understanding of the ACE Basin through communicating with visitors during outreach events and opportunities. Stewardship in the ACE Basin is conducted through property maintenance, invasive species removal, and citizen science programs. Many of these volunteer opportunities are based out of Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area; some may also take place throughout the sea islands and the McKenzie Field Station at Bennetts Point.

ACE Basin Volunteers will help enrich visitors experience and understanding of the ACE Basin’s cultural history and ecology by assisting with the education and outreach programs at the multiple locations within the ACE Basin NERR including Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Edisto Environmental Learning Center and McKenzie Field Station. Volunteer activities can include participating in citizen science projects (i.e. Hawk Watch and Monarch Tagging Program), educating and enhancing visitors experience at Botany Bay through the Education Kiosk, assisting with nature tours and other public outreach events, and helping with reoccurring property maintenance days.

Beach Education Kiosk: Located in the beach parking lot at Botany Bay Plantation HP/WMA, the beach education kiosk serves as the information outlet for those who visit Botany Bay Beach. Volunteer educators help to teach visitors on the natural wonders of Botany Bay as well as inform them of important regulations and tides. With an average of 70,000 visitors coming to Botany Bay annually, the beach education kiosk is vital for sharing knowledge of the ACE Basin and the many things that can be found at Botany Bay. Beach Kiosk shifts take place once a week for a 3-hour shift. These shifts vary by season, March-August include 9AM-12PM, 12PM-3PM, and 3PM-6PM. September-February include 10AM-1:30PM and 1:30PM-5PM. Kiosk volunteering also includes a mandatory yearly kiosk training day held in January.

Grunt Tuesday: This is exactly what it sounds like! Botany Bay Plantation HP/WMA is closed every Tuesday for routine property maintenance, which is primarily completed through the help of volunteers! Ideal interests include, but are not limited to mowing, bush hogging, trail maintenance, carpentry, post-storm clean up, wood duck box maintenance, and beach sweeps. Grunt Tuesday shifts take place every Tuesday from 9AM-12PM. Shifts are subject to change September-December depending on Botany Bay’s hunt schedule.

Hawk Watch: From September to November, migrating raptors pass through coastal South Carolina along the Atlantic Flyway on their journey south for the winter. Species include Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier, and more. Volunteers who participate in the Hawk Watch program collect migrating raptor numbers throughout these three months at Botany Bay Plantation HP/WMA and the Edisto Beach State Park in collaboration with the Hawk Migration Association. This data is submitted to Hawk Count to better understand raptor migration! Hawk Watch shifts are from 10AM-1PM and 1PM-2PM on regular volunteer days, then 10AM-2PM on archery hunting days. Volunteer opportunities take place at Botany Bay (BB) and the Edisto Beach State Park (SP). 

General Outreach/Tabling Events: Similar to the Beach Education Kiosk, volunteers will help in conducting general outreach through events hosted around the ACE Basin. This primarily consists of tabling events at the Edisto Learning Center or at Botany Bay.

Property Tour/Nature Tour Assistant: Volunteers are needed to help assist with free public property/nature tours led by SCDNR staff. Volunteers can either assist SCDNR staff by driving truck and passenger trailer (volunteer will have to attend a mandatory driver training course and pass a driving background check) or help lead tours. Property tours include a 1-hour guided beach walk and a 2-hour interpretive trailer tour. Other tours include guided beach walks that are held twice a month at the beach parking lot. These tours are 30 minutes to 1 hour and consist of an interpretive walk down the causeway to the beach.

Volunteer requirements include:

-Sign the SCDNR Regular Service Volunteer Agreement form annually

Participate in yearly volunteer training

- Submit a volunteer timesheet within one week of volunteering

Next Steps:

1) Fill out the ACE Basin Reserve Track (Volunteer Application) here

2) Wait until the Volunteer Coordinator approves qualifications. The volunteer coordinator will email letting you know if you have been accepted or denied. 

3) Once your application gets approved. You will be able to view the different volunteer opportunities available through this site. 

Common FAQs:

Why am I not able to see any other ACE Basin Reserve volunteer opportunities?

If your application hasn't been approve then you won't be able to view or respond to any other volunteer opportunities for this program. The volunteer coordinator will email letting you know if you have been accepted into the program. Hold on tight!

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