Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science
The Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science (BICEFS) is located in Georgetown, South Carolina on Hobcaw Barony, a 16,000 acre tract of undeveloped land owned by the Belle W. Baruch Foundation, a non-profit organization.
The coastal environment of Hobcaw offers a diversity of ecosystems including estuaries, tidal marshes, and freshwater swamps; coastal forests, and streams and rivers.
Topics of research at BICEFS address critical environmental issues including climate and land-use change, coastal science, water quality and quantity, biodiversity loss, and forest and watershed ecology and management. Our researchers work both at Hobcaw Barony, as well as across the state, nationally, and internationally. Findings from our research inform conservation, management, and policy.
BICEFS is located on the southern east coast of the United States, on the Atlantic Ocean's inlets and beaches.
Facilities
- 12,000 square foot conference and education facility
- Office space for resident faculty, visiting faculty, and visiting scientists
- Smart classroom for videoconferencing and distance education
- Large meeting room for workshops and symposia
- Conference rooms for small meetings
- 7,000 square foot office and laboratory facility
- Laboratories for water quality and environmental research
- New 1,250-square-foot research and operations building
- Two cottages for overnight lodging with a total of 13 beds
Board & Stakeholders
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2024 Pate Foundation Board Members
Mr. Jeffrey C. Shields (DeBordieu)
Georgetown, SCMrs. Lawly Ford (Pate Family)
DeBordieu Colony
Georgetown, SCGeorge Bullwinkel III (CUREF)
Charleston, SCDr. James T. (Jim) Anderson, Executive Director
Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science
Georgetown, SCMr. D. Wayne Rogers (DeBordieu)
Catalyst Architects, LLC
Lexington, SCMr. Bartow S. Shaw, Jr
American Forest Management, Inc; Retired
Sumter, SCMr. James R. Hendricks, Jr
Pawleys Island, SCLaura L. Jordan, Advisor
Development
Clemson University
Clemson, SCMrs. Ann W. Hunter (CUF)
Member-At-Large
Greenwood, SCDavid Morrow (CUF)
Mount Pleasant, SC -
Stakeholder Representatives
William Campbell
Former President, The Discovery Channel
Litchfield Beach, SC & Miami, FLKenneth Dunn
Forester, Center for Heirs Property for Preservation
Myrtle Beach, SCAnn English
State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS
Columbia, SCJoey Ferguson
Resource Management Services
Georgetown, SCBill Gaskins
American Forest Management
Sumter, SCAmy McFadden
White Oak Forestry
Georgetown, SCKen Rentiers
Deputy Director, SC Dept. of Natural Resources
Land, Water, and Conservation
Columbia, SCWayne Rogers
Catalyst Architecture
Wallace Pate Foundation board member & Debordieu residentJosh Sandt
Canfor
Conway/Myrtle Beach, SCDan Scheffing
For. Consultant/Retired Westvaco Land Mgmt.
Andrews, SCBo Shaw
Retired Founder & Chairman, American Forest Management
Sumter, SC/Charlotte, NCErnie Wiggers
Nemours Wildlife Foundation (retired)
Beaufort, SCAndrew Bridges
Nemours Wildlife Foundation
Beaufort, SC
Hobcaw Barony
Belle W. Baruch Foundation
The Belle W. Baruch Foundation is a non-profit organization and owner of Hobcaw Barony, where the Clemson Baruch Institute is located. In 1968, an agreement was signed between Clemson University and the Baruch Foundation to establish the Baruch Institute.
hobcawbarony.org