Wetland Treasures of the Carolinas

Wetlands are natural treasures, but unfortunately have long been misunderstood and undervalued.

Few people recognize that wetlands provide water purification, flood prevention, habitat for extraordinary biodiversity, recreational opportunities, and more all for free.

Through the Wetland Treasures of the Carolinas program, Carolina Wetlands Association seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation of wetlands, and to generate community pride in and commitment to stewardship of wetlands that have regional, national and even international importance.

Wetlands are natural treasures, but unfortunately have long been misunderstood and undervalued.

Few people recognize that wetlands provide water purification, flood prevention, habitat for extraordinary biodiversity, recreational opportunities, and more all for free.

Interactive Map of Wetland Treasures

Each May during American Wetlands Month, Carolina Wetlands Association recognizes wetland sites across North Carolina and South Carolina. The long-term goal is to recognize high quality representatives of each of the wetland types found in each ecoregion (Mountains, Piedmont and Coastal Plain) of North and South Carolina . Collectively, Wetland Treasures will represent the wetland heritage of the Carolinas.

North Carolina

Antioch Bay (Hoke County, NC)
Black River Swamp (updated 9/20/2023) (Bladen, Pender and Sampson Counties, NC)
Bluff Mountain Fen (Ashe County, NC)
Brogden Bottomlands (Johnson County, NC)
Carolina Beach State Park (New Hanover County, NC)
Croatan National Forest (Craven, Carteret, and Jones counties, NC)
Green Swamp (Brunswick County, NC)
Goose Creek State Park (Beaufort County, NC)
Hemlock Bluffs (Wake County, NC)
Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve (Wake County, NC)
Kanuga Bog (updated 9/20/2023)(Henderson County, NC)
Mason Farm Wetlands (Orange County, NC)
Merchants Millpond (Gates County, NC)
Panthertown Valley Bog (Jackson County, NC)
Phelps Lake Shoreline (Washington County, NC)
Pink Beds Bog (Pisgah National Forest, NC)
Pocosin Lakes NWR (updated 9/20/2023) (Hyde and Washington Counties, NC)
Richardson- Taylor Preserve (Guildford County, NC)
Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge (Bertie County, NC)
Robertson Millpond (Wake County, NC)
Scuppernong River Swamp (Tyrrell County, NC)
Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area (Carteret County, NC)
West Branch Nature Preserve (Mecklenburg County, NC)
Weymouth Woods State Park (Moore County, NC)

South Carolina

Botany Bay Heritage Preserve (Charleston County, SC)
Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve (Greenville County, SC)
Congaree National Park (Richland County, SC)
Francis Beidler Forest (Dorchester County, SC)
Hobcaw Barony Wetlands (Georgetown County, SC)
Lewis Ocean Bay (Horry County, SC)
Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve (Horry and Marion Counties, SC)
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge (Beaufort County, SC)
Santee Coastal Preserve (Charleston County, SC)
Sparkleberry Swamp in (Lake Marion, SC)
Wambaw Swamp Wilderness (Charleston County, SC)
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge (Georgetown, Horry, and Marion Counties, SC)
Woods Bay (Florence, Clarendon, and Sumter counties, SC)

Recreation Opportunities

There are lots of way to enjoy our Wetland Treasures. Click here for a list of options. Remember to check hours and rules with site owner before visiting.

Carolina Wetlands Association thanks Wisconsin Wetlands Association, whose Wetland Gems program (wisconsinwetlands.org/gems.htm) is the model for this program.

Photo Credit: William Conner, Hobcaw Barony Wetlands (Georgetown County, SC)