The South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association recently held a workshop at Old Santee Canal Park. The day kicked off with an insightful presentation by Adam Bedard, the park’s Education Coordinator, on the history of the park and the various birding programs they offer.
Adam introduced the group to eBird.org, a popular online platform where bird enthusiasts can report their sightings and contribute to citizen science. He highlighted the park’s ongoing efforts in Nest Watch and bird banding programs, particularly for Prothonotary Warblers. For the past six years, the park has been monitoring these warblers, even outfitting some with small tracking backpacks to understand their migration to South America better. The hope is to recapture some of these birds next year to gather valuable data on their journey.
Adam also discussed the potential of using birding as a powerful marketing tool. He emphasized that birding has a vast and dedicated following, and platforms like eBird.org not only help enthusiasts track bird activity but also assist in planning travel destinations. Locations with high numbers of bird sightings or rare species become hotspots for birders, providing unique opportunities for promoting parks and nature-based tourism.
Another key point Adam made was about the accessibility of birding. He noted that some of the best birding can happen in simple locations, such as parking lots, making it an activity that anyone can enjoy without the need for specialized equipment or remote locations.
To further support birding activities, Adam recommended several useful apps: Merlin ID for identifying bird species, eBird for reporting and tracking sightings, and iNaturalist for broader nature observations, all of which enhance the birding experience for both beginners and seasoned birders.
The presentation highlighted how birding connects people with nature and serves as an engaging, accessible, and effective tool for nature-based tourism.
Following Adam Bedard’s presentation, we were joined by Matt Murphy from Phantom Outdoors, who spoke about the power of community support and the inspiring journey of his local outdoor sporting goods store. Phantom Outdoors, based in Berkeley County, provides quality hunting, fishing, and camping supplies along with an extensive clothing line for men, women, and children, making it a go-to destination for both visitors and locals looking to stay, play, and explore the area.
Matt shared the unique story of Phantom Outdoors’ founding: it all began as an initiative to take Wounded Warriors fishing. From these humble beginnings, a group of acquaintances developed a logo, created retail products, and grew the venture into a full-time business that now serves the community in various ways.
A key highlight of Matt’s presentation was Phantom Gives Back, a program dedicated to reinvesting a portion of their profits back into the community. For every individual sale of Phantom gear, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Veteran and law enforcement programs. Phantom Outdoors also supports the local area by offering educational seminars at schools and retirement homes, teaching beginners how to fish, supporting local fishing clubs, and demonstrating how to use equipment available in their store. They have even developed an on-site pond to enhance hands-on learning experiences.
One of the standout community programs supported by Phantom Outdoors is Cops and Bobbers at Old Santee Canal Park. This initiative brings together local first responders and students, providing them with the opportunity to go fishing. Many of these kids catch their first fish through this program, creating lasting memories and fostering a positive connection with nature and their community.
Phantom Outdoors serves as a shining example of how businesses can thrive while giving back, enhancing the outdoor experience for all in Berkeley County and beyond. The session underscored the importance of community-focused business practices and highlighted how supporting local initiatives can create a ripple effect, benefiting both the business and the broader community.
After the morning guest speaker sessions and lunch, Adam led a guided tour of some of the park attractions including the Interpretive Center, Stony Landing, and boardwalk.
Old Santee Canal Park’s centerpiece is its Interpretive Center, which chronicles the area’s natural and cultural history, including the 1863 construction of the Little David semisubmersible and the building of the Santee Canal.
The Santee Canal, completed in 1800, connected the Santee and Cooper rivers, providing a direct route to the Charleston Harbor. Built largely by Black tradesmen and enslaved people, it was a significant engineering feat of its time and is known as America’s first true canal. The 22-mile canal featured a series of locks to manage the elevation change between the rivers. However, the canal’s importance waned after the rise of railroads in the 1840s, leading to its closure in 1850. Today, most of the canal is submerged under Lake Moultrie, but parts can still be seen at Old Santee Canal Park.
Stony Landing, originally known as “Stone Landing,” is located on a high bluff at the Cooper River’s headwaters and was part of the Fairlawn Barony land grant to John Colleton. Renamed in the 1700s, it became a key commercial hub in colonial South Carolina, facilitating the transport of goods like rice, indigo, and cotton between Charleston and the interior via the Cherokee Path.
The Stony Landing House, built around 1843 by John H. Dawson, was home to notable figures such as Dr. St. Julien Ravenel, who co-founded the Colleton Lime Works on the property. During the Civil War, it served as the secret construction site for the Little David, the first successful semisubmersible torpedo boat.
The house remained privately owned until the 1970s and has since been restored with period furnishings.
Thank you to all of our speakers and hosts! We look forward to seeing you all again soon at our Annual Meeting on November 6-7, 2024 in Fort Mill!
