The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) has unveiled a new preservation plan for Pritchard’s Island.
Pritchard’s Island is an important barrier island off the coast of Beaufort County. It is home to a variety of plant and animal life, and is an excellent representation of the region’s ecosystem. USC Beaufort plans to amp up its research and educational efforts, as promised when the land was donated to the school by the Rhodes family in the 1980s. When donated, a contract conditioned that Pritchard’s Island would be designated for research and not be developed commercially.
The faculty members with the Natural Sciences Department at USCB unveiled to the Rhodes family their proposal of programming on Prichards which will serve all types of people in our community. The Rhodeses were pleased with the exposition. The action is long overdue, as per the original contract. This contract was made when Atlanta businessman Philip Rhodes donated the Island.
Pritchard’s Island is one of the sea islands off the coast of Beaufort, South Carolina.
It lies just southwest of Fripp Island and is only accessible by boat. It remains uninhabited but for students and faculty managing the preservation of the loggerhead sea turtles on the shores of the Island. As the crow flies, Pritchard’s is about 13 miles from the city of Beaufort and about 16 miles from Hilton Head.
Pritchard’s Island is just one of many barrier islands off the coast of Beaufort County. These islands are important for a variety of reasons. They provide habitat for wildlife. Barrier islands also protect the mainland from storms and erosion. They serve as a buffer between the rivers and estuaries and the ocean.
USCB must now acquire the money to fulfill their intentions from grants and donations. South Carolina’s Governor McMaster supports the project whole heartedly and will participate financially with State funding.