Another welcome example of that trend came Tuesday as Gov. Mark Sanford helped dedicate the Wee Tee State Forest, covering 12,439 pristine acres along the Santee River in Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. The forest's location, across the river from the Francis Marion National Forest, assures that another large area of South Carolina wilderness will endure.

As Lynne Langley reported last week, the $8.6 million purchase of the Wee Tee tract from the John D. Hollingsworth Trust was made possible by a federal-state, public-private partnership, including $2.85 million from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, $1 million from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's North American Wetlands Conservation Act, $3.9 million from the S.C. Forestry Commission, $100,000 from Ducks Unlimited, $250,000 from the National Wild Turkey Federation, $266,000 from the Conservation Fund and $200,000 from DNR's equivalent in-kind services and land match.

The S.C. Forestry Commission and S.C. Department of Natural Resources will manage this state treasure, which features a lake of more than 200 acres, numerous ponds and more than 12 miles of river frontage. The forest will eventually offer an assortment of recreational uses, including fishing, hunting, canoeing and hiking, after opening to the public on a limited basis early next year. And artifacts from the Santee Indian tribe that once lived on the land are being discovered through an ongoing cultural-resource inventory.

During Tuesday's dedication, Gov. Sanford correctly pointed out that land conservation can be a valuable asset for the state's economic development, explaining: "Quality of life is one of the biggest competitive advantages we have as a state. A big part of that goes back to our natural resources and what we're doing to protect them."

And a big part of South Carolina's natural heritage is being preserved for future generations to enjoy.

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