Ernest F. Hollings Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Beaufort County, US

The Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge protects 11,815 acres in two unconnected units: the Combahee River Unit east of Yemassee and the Edisto River Unit on the South Edisto's east bank, which includes Jehossee Island. Marshes and managed wetland impoundments dominate, with forests covering much of the rest, about a third of it wet bottomland or swamp forest. Grove Plantation, the historic manor house that serves as refuge headquarters, stands in the eastern unit.

The refuge was established to protect wetland habitats and their wildlife, becoming an important conservation area over the decades. Within its boundaries stands Grove Plantation, a manor house built in 1828 that survived the Civil War era.

Rice was the main crop on the plantations that once covered this land, worked by enslaved people before the plantation economy ended. The old fields were later used for sport hunting of waterfowl. Grove Plantation, the 1828 manor house in the eastern unit, now houses the refuge headquarters.

You can access the refuge at two separate entry points, allowing you to explore different areas for hiking, photography, hunting, and bird watching. The best time to visit depends on what activities or wildlife viewing you prefer.

The refuge protects one of the largest continuous wetland areas along the Atlantic Coast and provides critical habitat for wood storks. These birds use the waters and marsh areas as hunting grounds and for raising their young.