Pappa's Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Property Description

Papa's Island is a 125-acre tract that was protected through two separate Greenbelt awards. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) acquired the original 104-acre tract in 2018. In 2022, the Open Space Institute (OSI) acquired 25 adjacent acres fully protecting the 27-acre marsh hummock and 98 acres of tidal wetlands. OSI plans to transfer its tract to the USFWS for incorporation into the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Papa's Island is located on the Intracoastal Waterway less than ½ mile southeast of McClellanville in the Sewee to Santee Landscape-Scale Conservation Area, which consists of some 191,418 acres of protected lands. Protecting Papa's Island and surrounding ecosystems benefits countless wildlife and provides resilient natural infrastructure. Additionally, the project promotes the culture of nearby McClellanville, whose local economy is closely tied to commercial fishing and shellfish harvesting within the refuge.

Property Benefits

• Adds to the public lands of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
• Provides public access to Papa’s Island via a sandy beach area
• Provides opportunities for fishing, crabbing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation
• Located within the State-designated Santee River Focus Area and the culturally significant Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

Contact Information

For more information: Cape Romain Headquarters - 843-928-3264
Or visit: www.fws.gov/refuge/cape-romain/contact-us
Open Space Institute (OSI): www.openspaceinstute.org/states/south-carolina

Charleston County Council awarded a total of $337,500 in Greenbelt Program funding to purchase these tracts of property for public use.