Duck Creek - Saluda Bluffs

Duck Creek is a 28-acre parcel on the southeastern boundary of the Saluda Bluffs tract, now owned by SCDNR. From the beginning, when we set out to acquire the 1,092-acre Saluda Bluffs property, we hoped it would offer new opportunities for connections to protect the scenic, hydrological, and wildlife corridors around this important anchor. We didn’t know the opportunities would come so quickly. This property brings the protections of Saluda Bluffs to an important intersection on Scenic Highway 11, as it protects both sides of Caesars Head Highway (Highway 8) that heads north before converging with Geer Highway. Protecting nearly half a mile of Highway 11, Duck Creek also protects a mature forest that surrounds a tributary that flows into the South Saluda River.

The property is owned by South Saluda Woods LP. They own several hundred acres just east of this tract along the River, and about 10 years ago, they placed an easement on the majority of their holdings, with the exception of this property. They have agreed to a bargain sale and were excited for the prospect of it to become part of a larger land conservation strategy with the Saluda Bluffs acquisition. Naturaland Trust aims to close on the property and transfer it to SCDNR as the long-term takeout, and they will absorb this property into the Saluda Bluffs WMA property.