U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The CarolinaHeelsplitter inthe CarolinasOur Natural Heritage

Freshwater mussels arefound in rivers, lakesand streams all over theworld. North Americahas more freshwatermussels species (nearly300!) than any othercontinent. The majorityof these species are foundthroughout theSoutheastern UnitedStates. North and SouthCarolina alone haveover 100 mussel species.Of these, almost half areconsidered threatened orendangered.

A Hidden TreasureThe Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigonadecorata) is the most criticallyendangered mussel species of theCarolinas. The U.S. Fish and WildlifeService (USFWS) designated theCarolina heelsplitter as a federallyendangered species in 1993. Jointly, theUSFWS Partners for Fish and WildlifeProgram, the North Carolina WildlifeResources Commission (NCWRC),cooperators and volunteers created thisbooklet to provide information on howyou can help protect a part of theCarolina’s natural heritage.

LifecycleThe Carolina heelsplitter has a greenishbrown to dark brown shell withyellow rays, and a pearly white toblue white nacre (inside surface).

Like otherfreshwatermussels of theCarolina’s, theCarolinaheelsplitter feedsby siphoning andfiltering food

particles, such as algae, plankton, andbacteria, from the water. Musselsrespire the same way by absorbingoxygen from the water with their gills.

The reproductive cycle of the Carolinaheelsplitter begins when the malereleases sperm into the water. Whentaken in by the female duringsiphoning, her eggs become fertilizedand she carries them in her gills untilthe larvae (called glochidia) are fullydeveloped. The female then releasesthe glochidia into the water wherethey must quickly attach to the fins orgills of a particular “fish host.” Theglochidia receive nourishment andoxygen from the fish, without harmingit, for several weeks until they developinto juvenile mussels. The fish alsoserves as a vehicle for the juvenilemussels for travel to farther reaches ofthe stream. In this way, mussels canestablish new populations.

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The CarolinaHeelsplitter

Once the juvenile mussel is fullydeveloped, it will drop from the fishand settle to the bottom of thestream. If habitat conditions aregood, the young mussel will begin itsadult life.

The Discovery!The first recordeddiscovery of theCarolinaheelsplitter was in1852. The largestrecordedspecimenmeasurednearly fiveinches across.Historicalgeographicalrecords from the1800’s reveal thatthe Carolinaheelsplitter oncethrived in many

streams and rivers of the Pee Dee,Catawba, Savannah, and SaludaRiver systems in North and SouthCarolina. Recent surveys, however,conclude that the mussel now exists

NC Wildlife ResourcesCommission

Presentdistributionof Carolinaheelsplitter(in red)

in only a small fraction of its initialknown range. There are six survivingCarolina heelsplitter populations: twoin North Carolina and four in SouthCarolina.

Home Sweet Home!Although the Carolina heelsplitteronce lived in large rivers andstreams, the remaining populationsare found in relatively shallowstreams (one to four feet deep). Thewater must be clean, free flowing(unobstructed by dams or culverts)have a high-oxygen content (usuallycreated by riffles and small rockfalls), and an abundant food supply ofmicroscopic plants and organisms.

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MusselHabitat

Checklist■ clean water

■ lots of oxygen

■ plenty of food

■ stablestreambanks

A stable stream bank is also animportant element of the mussel’shabitat. A stable streambank ischaracterized by having trees andvegetation with extensive rootsystems that help to hold the soil ofthe streambank in place. Vegetationalong streambanks provides shadefor the stream and help moderatewater temperatures during hottermonths. Plants and soils also act asnatural filters to help protect thestream against pollutants. Decayingleaf litter and plant material providea vital food resource for organisms inthe stream. Maintaining a wideriparian buffer has several benefits!It helps maintain an aquaticecosystem and provides a corridor forwildlife such as birds, mammals,amphibians and reptiles. It also helpsprotect our water quality.

ThreatsHabitat disturbance and water qualitydegradation are the leading causes forthe decline of the Carolina heelsplitterpopulations. Over 100 years ofurbanization in the Charlotte areaaltered stream and wetland habitats.For example, waterways werechannelized and floodplains filled. Inrural areas, best managementpractices for agriculture and forestrywere unknown. All of these factorshave had significant impacts on thewater quality of local streams.

Studies have shown that freshwatermussels, particularly juvenilemussels, are very sensitive to waterpollutants such as oil, gas, fertilizers,heavy metals, pesticides and otherchemicals. Over time, thesepollutants build up on our highways,driveways, lawns, and streets, wherethey become available to be washedinto nearby streams during a rain.Rain that moves across thesesurfaces is called storm water (rainor melting snow that does not getabsorbed into the ground or capturedby trees and plants). Asphalt, roofs,and compact soil are examples ofimpermeable surfaces that preventrain from naturally infiltrating intothe ground.

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Habitat alteration such aschannelization, impoundments, orstream dredging activities eliminatemussel habitat directly, while nearbyland clearing and disturbanceactivities enable pollutants, especiallysediment, to reach streams.Excessive sediment (soil that hasbeen eroded from land into water) instreams degrades water quality,smothers aquatic habitat, clogs fishand mussel gills, and cuts off neededsunlight to underwater plant growth.

To Live and Let LiveYou may be asking yourself, “Whyshould I be concerned about a coldand clammy animal that lives in thebottom of streams?” There are lots ofreasons! Most importantly, musselsare indicators of water quality, andwe know that their peril is due in partto polluted water. Poor water qualityshould be a concern of everyonebecause it harms not only the healthof animals that depend on the stream,but human health too! We rely onsurface water for drinking, irrigation,fishing, and recreation.

Native mussels also play an importantrole in the ‘web of life’ where all livingthings are interconnected. Mussels eatsmall plants and organisms likebacteria, algae, and plankton, whileother animals like the muskrat,raccoon, and otter in turn depend onmussels for food.

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The Carolinaheelsplitter is nativeto the Carolinas andis found nowhereelse on earth. Wecan be proud of thisunique naturalheritage feature.The best way thatyou can help protectthe Carolinaheelsplitter and

other aquatic wildlife is to keep ourwater clean and our streambanksundisturbed. The following chaptersare a guide to help you understandhow our developing landscape, andour daily activities affect the waterquality of our local streams. When youpractice environmental stewardshiparound your home, you are alsoprotecting water quality and that is ahealthy outcome we can all live with!

Most of us blame water pollution onindustries and corporations. In reality,we are all responsible. While asignificant amount of water pollutioncan be directly linked to industrialplants, much of the pollution comesfrom many other sources—nonpointsource or runoff pollution. But what isnonpoint source pollution? It is theeroded soil from a new construction

site. It is the spilledpaint from yourneighbor’s housepainting project. It isthe detergent youused to wash yourcar (and the oil thatdrips from it). It isthe lawn treatmentyou paid for. When itrains, all this andmuch more washesinto ditches or stormsewers under ourstreets and travelsdirectly (untreatedby sewage treatmentplants) into streams.

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Top: stormwaterrunoff; below:commonhouseholdpollutants

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Water Pollution

Watch the next time it rains, and seethe water run off your roof, over yourlawn, across your driveway andstreet. See the rain pick up the oil,grease, litter, soil, and otherpollutants. Eventually this runoffcarries them to nearby streams,where these pollutants can kill fish,shellfish, wildlife, plants, and degradewater quality.

Not all pollutants are visible however.Nutrients, dissolved metals, bacteria,and pesticides for example cannot beseen with the eye, but are just asdamaging. For example, nitrogen andphosphorus found in soaps andfertilizers are a serious threat towater quality. Once these nutrientsreach the water, they cause suddenand excessive growth of algae andaquatic plants. That seems like agood thing right? Wrong! When theseplants die and decay, they deplete thedissolved oxygen in the water neededby fish and other aquatic life andcauses instant ‘kills’.

All of us in our everyday activities areto some extent polluters. The amountof pollutants may seem negligible, butmultiplied by the millions of acres, lots,and homes across the Carolinas, theycreate a significant problem for ourwater resources.

Preventing Water Pollution At HomeMost of us live in areas that arecharacterized by acres of impervioussurfaces. Think of your streets,sidewalks, and driveways as the“Stormwater Pathway.” Whateverdrips, spills, pours, falls, or is washedonto these surfaces will eventuallyfind its way to a nearby stream.Reducing runoff and increasingwater infiltration is a good way tolimit contamination of our waters.

This may mean changing the way wecare for our cars, fertilize our lawns,or landscape our yards.

CommonHousehold

Products thatContribute to

WaterPollution

■ Ammonia-based cleaners

■ Car waxes

■ Chlorine bleach

■ Chrome andsilver polish

■ Concrete orwood sealant

■ Degreasers

■ Detergentswithphosphates

■ Drain cleaners

■ Furniturestrippers andvarnishes

■ Lawn-carechemicals(pesticides &fertilizers)

■ Mothballs

■ Motor oil,gasoline,antifreeze,brake fluid,transmissionfluid

■ Paint andbrush cleaners

■ Paints, paintthinners

■ Roach and antkillers

■ Toilet, tub &tile cleaners

Reducing RunoffYou can reduce runoff by directdownspouts to permeable areas, suchas lawn, trees and landscaping; andlimiting the amount of water youapply to your yard.

Permeable PavementsThe best way to reduce runoff is tolimit the amount of paved orotherwise impervious surface on yourproperty. Whenever possible, favorgreen space and natural groundcover. If you must pave an area, manyother materials provide the durabilityof concrete while allowing somerainwater to filter down into theground.

Landscaping to Benefit theEnvironment AND YouThe most common mistakeshomeowners make when landscapingtheir yards are (1) buying plants andgrasses that are not well suited to theclimate, soil, or location (non-native);or (2) selecting plants and grassesthat require large amounts offertilizer to grow in poor soil.

To protect water quality and savemoney, choose plants that are suitedto your area such as native plants.Native plants grow naturally in yourregion and will generally withstandcommon diseases and insectproblems far better than non-nativeplants, and will eliminate the need forspecial care and extensive watering.Native plants also provide food andshelter for visiting wildlife!

You could even convert a portion ofyour yard into wildlife habitat. TheNational Wildlife Federation (seeHelpful Programs and Services atthe back of this booklet) has anexcellent program designed to helpyou get started. Several specificguidelines can help you achieve agood aesthetic effect and protect theenvironment:

Examples ofPermeablePavements

■ bricks,

■ interlockingpavers,

■ flat stones(flagstone,bluestone, orgranite),

■ gravel,

■ crushed shellsor stone,

■ bark chips, and

■ preciseconcrete latticepavers

are all examples ofalternativesurfaces. (Andinstead of relyingof chemicals tocontrol weedsbetween pavers,you can plantnative mint ormoss!)

The Yard and Lawn

■ Locate deciduous trees (trees thatlose their leaves in the winter) toshade planting beds and outdoorseating areas.

■ Limit the amount of grass to areasthat will be used for play,recreation, etc.

■ Group together plants with similarsun, moisture, and soilrequirements.

■ In dry sites choose drought-tolerant and drought-resistantplant species.

■ Group and limit the use of plantsthat need more water, placingthem only in naturally wet areas.

■ Mulch or compost planting beds toconserve soil moisture, controlweeds, and to improve soilconditions.

■ If you live near a stream, maintaina forested riparian buffer.

Around Your Yard …The way you landscape and care foryour yard can reduce the pollutiontransmitted to streams.Environmentally sound watering andfertilizing—as well as strategicselection and placement of trees,plants and gardens—can limit runoffand the hazardous chemicalscontained in it.

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Nativelandscaping

Establishing and maintaining ahealthy yard with a variety of plants,shrubs, and trees not only make ahome more attractive and valuable, italso has important environmentalbenefits.

A healthy yard:

■ Moderates summer heat;

■ Helps prevent erosion;

■ Acts as a filter for rainwater fromroofs, downspouts, and driveways;

■ Minimizes dust;

■ Provides food and habitat forwildlife, and

■ Helps clean the air.

Having a healthy yard does notalways mean having the greenestyard on the block. It meansunderstanding and meeting theneeds of your plants. Different plantsrequire different amounts ofnutrients like nitrogen andphosphorous (fertilizer) in order togrow healthy. Some plants requiremore than others do. Applying morenutrients than a plant can use resultsin excessive nutrient loading that canlead to water pollution problems aswell as damage to your plants.

Consider Home Composting!How can you use up grass clippingsand yard waste, and save money andprotect the environment at the sametime? Home composting! Wastedisposal sites in the Carolinas arefilling up and are being closed downat an alarming rate. Twenty percentof the solid waste placed in landfillsconsists of yard and garden wastessuch as leaves and grass clippings.North Carolina has banned thesewastes from landfills.

When mixed with soil, compostincreases the organic matter content,improves the physical properties ofthe soil (especially of our Carolina

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Composting bins

What ToPlant

To AttractBeneficial

Insects■ Herbs

belonging tothe mint family:lemon balm,pennyroyal,thyme,spearmint

■ Plantsbelonging tothe carrotfamily: dill,parsley

■ Vegetablesbelonging tothe cabbagefamily:radishes,mustard, andbroccoli

■ Queen Anne’slace, also calledwild carrot is anectar plant forparasitic wasps

■ Poppies, blackmedick, redcampion toattractbutterflies andbees

clay!), and supplies essentialnutrients, enhancing the soil’s abilityto support plant growth. Compostcan also be applied to the soil surfaceto conserve moisture, control weeds,reduce erosion, improve appearance,and moderate soil temperatures.

Compost is an environmentallyfriendly alternative to applyingfertilizer. You can replace twentypercent of the nutrients supplied bythe conventional fertilizer you usenow with compost. That meanssaving money too! Ask yourCooperative Extension Service for abooklet on how to manage yard wastethrough composting.

InsectsInsects are considered by mostpeople to be harmful. When in fact,90 percent of the insects in your yardare beneficial! Too often homeownersapply a full spectrum “kill all”insecticide that eradicates both thegood and the bad bugs. If you suspecta pest problem:

■ Before choosing a strategy,examine the yard closely andidentify the pest to determine whatkind of remedy is really needed.

■ Consider a variety of naturalsolutions, even though this maymean accepting some imperfectionsin the appearance of your yard.

■ If chemical controls must be applied,insecticidal soap is less toxic thanconventional insecticides and can killaphids, fleas, and other pests.

■ Always read the labels on thepesticides containers and theiringredients before you buy anychemicals lawn treatmentproducts.

■ Buy only the amount you plan touse.

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Encourage beneficial insects to do thedirty work of pest control!Beneficial insects perform vitalfunctions and consume large numbersof pest insects. Beneficial insects workto:

■ Build the soil

■ Decompose organic matter

■ Pollinate crops

■ Eat weeds

■ Provide food for other insects,birds, and reptiles

Attract Insect Eating Birds and BatsBirds and bats have high energyrequirements and need to eat a lot offood. For example, six to eight batswill consume 10,000 flying insectseach night. You can attract birds andbats to your yard by doing thefollowing:

■ Install bird and bat houses on yourproperty.

■ Use groundcovers instead of grass.The leaves that will build up underthe groundcover provide anexcellent hunting ground for birds.

■ Plant native trees and vegetation ofvarying heights to accommodatebirds and bats with differentfeeding and nesting habits.

■ Plant shrubs and trees thatproduce berries.

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BeneficialInsects and

the PestsThey Control

■ Damsel Bugscontrol aphids,leaf hoppers,mites, psyllids

■ Ladybugscontrol aphids,aphid larvae,rootworms,weevils

■ StinglessParasiticWasps controlaphids, gypsymoths,caterpillars,cutworms

■ GreenLacewingscontrol aphids,white flies

■ Spiders controlfleas,treehoppers,flies, carrotweevils

If You Must Use Pesticides…Use your common sense whenstoring and disposing of pesticides.The power and persistence ofchemicals should not beunderestimated. Following theprocedures outlined here will helpprotect your family, your pets, andyour environment.

■ Store unused chemicals in a sturdy,well-ventilated area that has acement floor and is separate fromliving space. The storage areashould also be insulated, keepchemicals out of direct sunlight, andsecure from children and animals.

■ The best way to avoid having todispose of leftover pesticides is tobuy or mix only as much as youneed for one application.

■ Never bury, burn or pour pesticidesinto storm drains or toilets.

■ Give any unused chemicals toneighbors in clearly markedcontainers.

■ If you must dispose of pesticide,read the disposal instruction.

■ Some communities havehazardous waste collectionprograms where they will pick upchemicals once a year. If noneexists in your town, find out thecollection site nearest you todispose of the chemicals yourself.

■ If leaks or spills happen, neverhose them down. Instead,surround the contaminated areawith dirt or sprinkle an absorbentlike sawdust or kitty litter on thespill. Then shovel or sweep theabsorbent into a plastic bag andtake to your community’shazardous waste collection site.

■ Toads/Frogscontrol flyinginsects, snails,slugs

■ Big-eyed Bugscontrol insecteggs, leafhoppers, smallcaterpillars,Mexican beanbeetles

■ Assassin BugscontrolColoradopotato beetle,potato beetle,leaf hoppers,mites, psyllids

■ Syrphid Flycontrols plantlice (aphids)

■ Birds/Batscontrol grubs,caterpillars,mosquitoes,flying insects

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Low Toxicity Pest Controls■ Insecticidal soap: Potassium salt-

based, it effectively controlsaphids, red spider mites, andmealy bugs. It must be applied tothe pest directly.

■ Soft soap: Mild dish soap (1 cup/10gallons of water) can controlaphids, red spider mites, armyworms.

■ Pyrethrum: Derived from thechrysanthemum plant, it iseffective against most insects,especially aphids, but will also killbeneficial insects if not sprayeddirectly on the pest.

Caring for Your LawnAs beautiful as an immaculate lawnmay be to some, it represents anenormous investment of time, energy,and money! With over 20 millionacres of lawn in America, we spendan amazing $6 billion a year to keepthem green and weed-free, inaddition to the fact that we usenearly half of our municipal water forwatering our lawns.

Consider these alternatives to reduceyour lawn maintenance.

■ Plant native species asgroundcover instead of grass.

■ Plant trees and shrubs.

■ Create a water garden or pond.

■ Create a rock garden or mulchedpath.

■ Plant annual or perennial beds.

■ Establish a meadow or prairiepatch with native warm seasongrasses and wildflowers.

■ Use hedgerows.

■ Create an organic vegetablegarden.

■ Establish a butterfly orhummingbird garden.

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Overall management of lawns■ Choose grass that does well in

your region. Each grass typesrequire different combinations offertilizers, pesticides, water,and mowing.

■ Have your soil tested byCooperative Extension to find outwhat it needs for your plants togrow healthy. A clay soil needsorganic matter worked into it,not fertilizer.

■ Spread lime on acidic soil. Limestoneis a natural mineral and will notpollute water but should be used andhandled according to instructions.

■ Aerate your soil two or threetimes a year or as needed toalleviate soil compaction and toincrease its capacity toinfiltrate water.

■ Never, ever dump grass or otherorganic matter in or on the banksof streams.

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If you must fertilize…■ Use only fertilizers formulated

specifically for lawns. Gardenfertilizers, for example, will notprovide proper nutrients.

■ Apply fertilizer only when needed,and at the proper time andamounts according to theinstructions and your soil test.

The wrongfertilizer appliedat the wrong timecan cause diseaseand weeds,promote poorroot growth, orexcessive topgrowth. Incorrectfertilization can

reduce your lawn’s ability towithstand extreme temperatures andmoisture. Adding too much fertilizercan burn your lawn rather than makeit greener. And remember that agood rain can wash that excessivefertilizer off your lawn and into thestream where it can seriouslydamage aquatic ecosystems.

■ Avoid leaving fertilizer onsidewalks or driveways where itcan easily be washed into stormdrains and streams.

■ Use slowly soluble naturalfertilizers such as blood meal,feather meal, wheat germ, soya,muriate of potash, enzymes, andsoil microorganisms.

■ Avoid using fertilizers within 75feet of water.

■ Do not fertilize if a rain is predicted.

Clean up after your petsPet feces left on the ground can bewashed into the water, causingbacterial and viral contamination andboosting nutrient levels. It is best todispose of pet feces in the trash or toflush them down the toilet.

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Coping with weedsAll lawns have weeds, whetherherbicides are used on them or not.That is because many different kindsof plants normally live together innature. Trying to keep just one typeof plant established in an area and allothers out is literally working againstnature. The trick to maintaining alawn is to accept a “tolerance level” ofweeds, keeping them low enough sothat the grass is still attractive andhealthy.

■ A significant weed problem may bethe result of soil compaction, toomuch or too little fertilizer, awatering problem, or pH imbalance.

■ Crabgrass can be effectivelycontrolled with a pre-emergencecrabgrass herbicide when appliedbefore the grass germinates.Broadleaf weeds often only needto be spot-treated.

■ Pull weeds by hand when you can.

WateringOver-watering is the most commonmistake people make when caring fortheir lawn. Lawns need wateringwhen they have a bluish cast or whenyou can see your footprints afterwalking across them. An establishedor mature lawn should only bewatered during very dry periods, andin the manner described below.

Using grass clippings, mulch, leaves,pine needles, cocoa hulls, hay, andwood chips to cover the ground. Itwill help prevent evaporation andkeep the plant roots cool.

Minimize using sprinklers as theywaste water through evaporation.Drip irrigation is the most efficientsystem for watering your landscapedareas. This method can cut theamount of water you use in the yardby half! A rubber soaker hose is alsoa good watering system.

■ Water either early in the morningor after sunset to reduce loss fromevaporation.

■ Moisten the soil to a depth of fourto six inches (this usually requiresusing about 3/4 to 1 inch of water).Frequent shallow watering onestablished grass causes shallowrooting, and invites crabgrass,and encourages disease.

■ Aim sprinkler heads away frompaved surfaces to avoid runoff.You have watered too much if yourlawn is draining excess water intothe street or drainage ditch.

MowingMowing is crucial to the health ofyour lawn. Bluegrass or fescueshould be cut to two to four inches inheight and cut frequently enoughthat no more than a third of the leafarea is removed. Bermuda and zoysiashould be mowed when they reach aheight of one-half to one inch. Andremember, grass clippings shouldnever be dumped in or near streams!Grass clippings should be recycled onyour lawn, reserved for pick up byyour local collection facility, or youcan use them in your home compost.

A Word About Lawn Care ServicesMany people do not want to worryabout buying and applying the rightfertilizer and pesticides for theirlawns. A popular alternative is tocontract with a lawn service. It isstrongly recommended however thatyou consider the pros and consassociated with this choice. You wanta lawn care service that will tailor tothe specific needs of your lawn, notjust apply fertilizers and chemicalson a rigid schedule whether yourlawn actually needs them or not. Itwastes your money and can lead towater pollution!

So if you choose to use a lawn careservice:

■ Request natural lawn care methodsrather than those that rely solelyon chemical approaches.

■ Study the lawn care companies’management practices.

■ Have your soil tested beforeunnecessary fertilizers andchemicals are applied.

■ Ask to see all the labels of allpesticides products they intend touse on your lawn and ask aboutamounts that will be applied andprecautions that will be followed.

Everyone Can BeAn Environmental Steward!The quality of our water depends onthe wise use of our land and naturalresources by communities andindividuals alike. A healthyenvironment insures clean water andprotects the lives of people andwildlife. You and your neighbors(including the Carolina heelsplitter!)will benefit from your effort toprotect our water resources.

This brochure was made possible byan educational grant from thePartners for Fish and WildlifeProgram, Savannah-Santee-Pee DeeEcosystem Team, and inkindservices from the NCWRC and theUSFWS.Goose Creek

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Helpful Programs and Services

North Carolina Wildlife Resources CommissionDivision of Wildlife Management1724 Mail Service CenterRaleigh, NC 27699-1724Telephone: 919/661 4872www.ncwildlife

Catawba Lands Conservancy105 West Morehead StreetCharlotte, NC 28202Telephone: 704/342 3330clands@bellsouth.netwww.catawbalands.org

The Land Trust for Central North CarolinaP.O. Box 4284Salisbury, NC 28145-4284Telephone: 704/647 0302

Mecklenburg County Departmentof Solid Waste Management700 North Tryon StreetCharlotte, NC 28202Telephone: 704/336 5359(Excellent program called PLANT on reducing yardwaste, conserving water, and using native plant speciesin the Piedmont.)

National Wildlife FederationBackyard Wildlife Habitat Programs8925 Leesburg PikeVienna, VA 22184Telephone: 703/790 4434www.nwf.org/habitats

The North Carolina Wildlife Federation1204 The Plaza, Suite 2Charlotte, NC 28205Telephone: 704/377 4696ncwf_charlotte@mindspring.com

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The South Carolina Wildlife Federation2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 104Columbia, SC 29204Telephone: 803/256 0690mail@scwf.org(Excellent resource for wildflower, butterfly, andnative plant gardening!)

National Audubon SocietyNorth Carolina State Office410 Airport RoadChapel Hill, NC 27514Telephone/fax: 919/929 3899www.ncaudubon.org or www.audubon.org

Natural Resource Conservation Service4405 Bland Road, Suite 205Raleigh, NC 27609Telephone: 919/873 2124

North Carolina Cooperative Extension ServiceUnion County Center500 North Main Street, Room 506Monroe, NC 28112-4796Telephone: 704/283 3742www.ces.ncsu.edu

South Carolina Agricultural Extension ServiceClemson University Cooperative Extension ServiceClemson UniversityClemson SC 29634Telephone: 864/656 3382www.clemson.edu/public/(To find your local county agent,call or look up Extensions and Personnel list)

Pee Dee National Wildlife RefugeRoute 1, Box 92Highway 52 NorthWadesboro, NC 28170Telephone: 704/694 5334Laura_Fogo@fws.gov(Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program)

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service/ Asheville Field Office160 Zillicoa StreetAsheville, NC 28801Telephone: 828/258 3939www.fws.gov

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service/ Charleston Field Office176 Croghan Spur Road, Suite 200Charleston, SC 29407Telephone: 843/727 4707www.fws.gov

Pee Dee National Wildlife RefugeRoute 1, Box 92Highway 52 NorthWadesboro, NC 28170Phone: 704/694 5334Laura_Fogo@fws.gov(Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program)

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service1 800/344 WILDhttp://www.fws.gov

December 2002