Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center

Considered one of the most outstanding gifts to wildlife conservation in North America, the Yawkey Wildlife Center (YWC) was willed to the State of South Carolina in 1976 by the late Thomas A. Yawkey as a wildlife preserve and research area. The property is owned and managed by the SC Department of Natural Resources. The YWC includes North and South Islands, and most of Cat Island, three coastal islands located at the mouth of Winyah Bay in Georgetown County. Composed of approximately 24,000 acres of marsh, managed wetlands, upland longleaf pine forests, beaches and maritime forests, the property is dedicated as a wildlife preserve, research area and waterfowl refuge. In 1977 the YWC was dedicated as a Heritage Preserve under the Heritage Trust Program. Visitation is by appointment only and reservations are required.