South Carolina Ecological Services Field Office

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Established in 1973 the South Carolina Ecological Services Field Office (SCESFO) covers 46 counties, 31,000 square miles and 187 miles of general coast line. It works with 13 threatened or endangered animal species, 19 threatened or endangered plant species, and approximately 70 other plant/animal species deemed to be at-risk. The primary focus of SCESFO is on the protection and recovery of threatened and endangered species while supporting conservation of migratory birds, fish, and wetlands. A few inhabitants of the area are the Carolina heelsplitter, eastern black rail, red cockaded woodpecker, small-whorled pogonia, and many more threatened/endangered species. 

Priorities:  

• Conduct consultation, habitat conservation planning activities, and candidate conservation activities under the Endangered Species Act; 
• Reduce impacts to fish, wildlife, and their habitats in the state from federally funded or authorized projects (e.g., Federal Energy Regulatory Commission activities); 
• Restore habitat through the Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife and Coastal programs; 
• Manage natural resources through the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act; 
• Conduct surveys on threatened, endangered, and at-risk species; 
• Identify, reduce, and prevent contamination of fish and wildlife resources through technical assistance, investigations, monitoring, and technical reviews of environmental contaminant issues; 
• Protect the ecological integrity of our National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries statewide; 
• Conserve migratory birds; and 
• Conduct education and outreach activities in support of fish and wildlife conservation.