intro
Discovery
Welcome to the Maritime Forest! We are glad that you landed here to find out more about this natural, endangered, environmental treasure. Maritime forests are located in the Southeastern part of the United States on barrier islands. The Forest provides homes for all types of wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. It provides shade and protects not only the shoreline but also our coastal homes from beach erosion. The tree canopy is dominated by live oak, Southern magnolia and cabbage palmettos; red bay, American holly, yaupon , wax myrtle, saw palmetto, and other flora make up secondary and ground layers. These trees and shrubs are adapted for salt spray and sand.
If you listen carefully, you may hear a Pileated Woodpecker laugh, or our long time resident Barred Owl call, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you?!”
Click here to view pictures of the birds that live in the Maritime Forest
Here’s some additional materials from Todd Ballantines’ book, Tideland Treasure:
Ballantine, Todd. Tideland Treasure: The Naturalist's Guide to the Beaches and Salt Marshes of Hilton Head Island and the Atlantic Coast. pp. 60-61. © 2013 University of South Carolina.