Columbia, South Carolina – The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has been recognized with the prestigious Agency Partner Award for its outstanding contributions to the conservation of the federally threatened Eastern Black Rail, a secretive marsh bird facing significant challenges in its coastal habitats.[1]
The award was presented on February 25, 2026, during the North American Migratory Bird Joint Venture gathering at the U.S. House of Representatives Rayburn Office Building. Staff from South Carolina’s congressional delegation supported the event, underscoring the national significance of the achievement.
Once obscure due to its elusive behavior, the Eastern Black Rail has undergone notable population declines throughout its range. As one of North America’s smallest marsh birds, it relies heavily on South Carolina’s coastal marshes for survival. The species demands specific water levels and thick marsh vegetation, making it particularly susceptible to habitat loss, rising sea levels, and alterations in coastal hydrology. Safeguarding and managing these marsh environments is crucial for the bird’s long-term viability.
For more than a decade, SCDNR has taken the lead in coordinated conservation initiatives that have substantially increased knowledge about the black rail‘s distribution, breeding patterns, and habitat requirements within the state. These efforts encompass documenting the bird’s presence and breeding timelines, observing chicks in the field, and experimenting with impoundment management techniques to enhance breeding sites.
“SCDNR has led the way in developing and implementing innovative research and management techniques to conserve this rapidly declining species,” stated Dr. Tom Mullikin, SCDNR Director. “This recognition reflects not only our agency’s commitment, but the tremendous collaboration among public and private partners across the state.”
SCDNR personnel have bridged key data gaps through rigorous fieldwork and have engaged in multi-state collaborations to standardize monitoring methods and exchange best practices across the species’ range. Their research findings have directly informed conservation strategies and management practices throughout South Carolina.
A pivotal element of these accomplishments is the establishment of the South Carolina Black Rail Working Group. This coalition unites various agencies and organizations, including the Nemours Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, Ducks Unlimited, American Bird Conservancy, Audubon South Carolina, Folk Land Management, and private landowners and managers. Together, they have executed vital on-the-ground actions to stabilize and expand suitable habitats for the bird.
Key examples of these collaborative projects include efforts at the Yawkey Foundation, where SCDNR staff tested irrigation methods to potentially create new black rail habitats while also managing and surveying existing populations. Similarly, the Nemours Wildlife Foundation and the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge have launched targeted impoundment management tailored for black rail habitat. Birds have already displayed interest in the Nemours site, signaling promising progress. Private landowners and SCDNR staff continue to maintain habitats supporting active black rail populations.
Funding for nearly all of this work has originated from federal sources, highlighting the critical role of sustained federal support in science-based wildlife conservation. This national accolade emphasizes South Carolina’s leadership in partnership-driven, evidence-based approaches to protecting imperiled species.
The recognition reaffirms SCDNR’s dedication to securing the future of the Eastern Black Rail for generations to come, ensuring that this tiny marsh dweller continues to thrive amid evolving coastal challenges.
For more information, visit South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.