PLANNING UPDATE for Proposed Boundary Expansions at 10 National Wildlife Refuges in Coastal Georgia and South Carolina Lowcountry at the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex and South Carolina Lowcountry Refuges Complex.
Highlights of the Proposal:
- Hunting and other permitted recreational uses would continue on existing public recreational areas, including state Wildlife Management Areas under jurisdictions of the states. The Service is not seeking to manage those existing public conservation areas; the Service is seeking to add lands to the existing conservation network in this important landscape.
- The proposal would not affect state navigable waters; fishing and boating would continue on those waters under state regulations.
- Being included within the proposed boundary expansion area would not affect how owners use their property or to whom they may choose to sell their property. The boundary expansion simply allows the Service to acquire lands that meet our conservation priorities through purchase from willing sellers or donations.
- If finalized, the proposal would conserve about 10% of the outlined Conceptual Focus Areas, aligning with Georgia and South Carolina goals, both State Wildlife Action Plans, and the Southeast Conservation Blueprint. Implementation of the proposed expansions could take many decades.
- The Service's policy is to work with willing sellers.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Major Boundary Expansions for National Wildlife Refuges in Coastal Georgia and South Carolina Lowcountry at the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex and South Carolina Lowcountry Refuges Complex. Click here to learn more.
Please be aware when visiting Pinckney Island NWR that there are no on-site staff or public amenities such as restrooms, drinking water, and shelter in the event of severe weather. Beyond the parking area, all movement within the refuge is on foot or bicycle and it is approximately a 2-mile walk round-trip from the parking area to the first pond (Ibis). Visitors should check forecasted weather conditions prior to visiting and make sure you bring plenty of drinking water. In cases of emergency, please call 911.
Visit Us
Situated between Hilton Head Island and the mainland town of Bluffton, SC, Pinckney Island is easily accessible and receives nearly a quarter of a million visitors a year. Visitors can enjoy wildlife-dependent activities such as hiking, bicycling, and wildlife watching. Saltwater fishing is allowed in the waters surrounding the refuge, however freshwater fishing in refuge ponds is not permitted.
The refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset. There are no visitor amenities such as buildings, shelters, restrooms, snacks, or drinking water.
Activities
A number of wildlife-dependent recreational activities are available to refuge visitors year-round including hiking, bicycling, wildlife observation and photography, fishing, and hunting during specified seasons.
Trails
Related Documents
Other Facilities in the Complex
Pinckney Island NWR is one of seven refuges administered by the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex which is headquartered at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center in Hardeeville, South Carolina.
Locations
Pinckney Island NWR is a back-barrier island situated between Hilton Head Island and the South Carolina mainland. The vehicle entrance is located on U.S. 278 between the two bridges that connect Hilton Head Island to the mainland.
From I-95: Take SC Exit 8 east towards Hilton Head Island approximately 16 miles to the entrance gate on the left.
From Hilton Head Island: Exit the island via US 278 West, and the refuge entrance will be on your right in approximately 1/2 mile.