New Hours of Operation | Visitor Center Renovations | 50th Anniversary | Firefly Programming 
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Audubon Center at Beidler Forest
The Boardwalk Post | March 2024
A White-breasted Nuthatch is climbing down the trunk of a tree.
Dear {{FirstName or 'Friend'}},

It’s almost spring and we are gearing up for an exciting season here in the swamp. Prothonotary Warblers are starting their long migrations back to North America, and we at Beidler Forest are so excited for their return. In the swamp now, Yellow-throated Warblers are singing, snakes have begun to emerge, and signs of spring are all around us.

With renovations all wrapped up, we are eager to share our newly transformed spaces inside and outside of the visitor center with all of you. Check out our virtual tour below or plan your next visit to Beidler to check out the visitor center transformation. 

We have more exciting updates to share – read on to learn more about upcoming changes to our hours of operation and our 50th anniversary celebration on May 11th!

 Donate to Beidler
White-breasted Nuthatch. Photo: Richard Hernandez.
A blossom hangs from a twig with a drop of dew.
New Days, New Hours & Discounted Tickets!
Beginning March 1st, the boardwalk at Beidler Forest will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 9am – 4pm and Sundays from 11am – 4pm. In April, we will be extending our hours Wednesday – Saturday from 9am – 6pm!

Discounted tickets are now available for those who make reservations online at least 24 hours ahead of your scheduled visit. We’ve also added discounted rates for groups of 12 or more adults.  

Don’t forget that every second Saturday of the month is admission-free!

We are deeply grateful for your continued support and can’t wait to welcome you into our new and improved Visitor Center.

 
Highbush Blueberry. Photo: David Ramage.
Save the date. The 50th anniversary of Francis Beidler Forest on May 11th, 2024
50th Anniversary Event
On May 11th, 1974, a dedication ceremony for the creation of the Francis Beidler Forest was held to honor the protection of more than 3,000 acres of land in Four Holes Swamp. Exactly 50 years later, to the date, is Saturday May 11th, 2024 - a day that is also recognized across the world as International Migratory Bird Day. 

Join us on May 11th for a day of celebration at Beidler Forest as we pay tribute to 50 years of conservation work in this watershed and look forward to the next 50 years!

 
Three adults kayaking on dark slow-moving water.
New Programming at Beidler Forest
This spring and summer will be loaded with public programming for all ages and experience levels. We will be updating our website throughout the season with all these exciting program opportunities: 
  • Guided Boardwalk Tours
  • Nature Journaling 
  • Beginner Birding 
  • Kayak & Canoe Trips
  • Firefly Nights
  • Night Explorations
  • Family Foray
Photo: David Ramage.
A yellow bird is looking up from a small snag across dark slow-moving water.
Prothonotary Warbler First Sighting Contest
Every spring, Prothonotary Warblers migrate from Central and South America to the swamp at Beidler to nest. As one of our mascot birds, we look forward to the return of these “swamp canaries” each year, and to make things exciting, we’re sharing our 2024 Prothonotary Warbler First Sighting Contest! Winners who guess the right date will receive a year-long family membership to Beidler Forest. What date do you think we’ll spot the first “swamp canary”?

Hint, Hint! The arrival date of Prothonotary Warblers is usually between end-of March and early April!

 
Prothonotary Warbler. Photo: Aaron Angel.
A large buttress of a cypress tree is covered in green moss and fog is settling above dark water.
Beidler's Annual Photo Contest
Have any epic pictures taken from Beidler or maybe you’re just looking for a reason to come out and walk the boardwalk? We want to see your pictures and we have some awesome prizes for winners this year. Learn more about the photo contest and the categories. We even have one for the kiddos!

 
Photo: Matt Johnson.
A medium sized black bird is perched on a wooden post
Species Spotlight: Crows
Last year in October, two guests named Debbie and David Anderson came off the boardwalk and approached the front desk where I was working to ask if I could identify a sound. Now, if you work at a nature center, any guest approaching and expecting you to identify a sound they heard just by describing can be a hit or miss on your chance of figuring it out. But when someone comes to you with an actual recording? Always a treat.

 
American Crow. Photo: Danielle Cooper.
Firefly Nights at Beidler Forest.
Firefly Nights
Interested in fireflies? Sign up to make sure you are the first to know when firefly programming will be available at Beidler Forest.  

Last year, after a “test-run” season, we are ready to offer more public firefly programming this spring and summer. Spaces are limited, but by filling out this firefly interest form, we will make sure you know when tickets go on sale.  

  Sign up for firefly updates
Beidler Forest visitor center renovated with fresh white walls, wood floors, bright lighting
Take a virtual tour of our recent renovations!
We are so excited to share with you all the improvements to our visitor center!

Take a virtual tour and see all of the visitor center renovations and enhancements inside and out in this video. We can’t wait for you to see it in person. 

  Take the virtual tour!
The visitor center at Beidler Forest. Photo: Matt Johnson.
A beaver is swimming in dark water.
More ways to connect with us:
American Beaver seen at Beidler Forest on March 7. Photo: Richard Hernandez.
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Audubon Center at Beidler Forest
336 Sanctuary Rd, Harleyville, SC 29448
843-487-9988 | beidler.audubon.org

© 2025 National Audubon Society, Inc.

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