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Baruch Institute

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.

outline of a united states map with only south carolina filled in outline of a south caorlina map with only georgetown county filled in

BICEFS is located on the southern east coast of the United States, on the Atlantic Ocean's inlets and beaches.

building entrance of Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science

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

  • 2023 Pate Foundation Board Members

    Mr. Jeffrey C. Shields (DeBordieu)
    Georgetown, SC

    Mrs. Lawly Ford (Pate Family)
    DeBordieu Colony
    Georgetown, SC

    George Bullwinkel III (CUF/CUREF)
    Columbia, SC

    Dr. Mažeika Patricio Sulliván, Executive Director
    Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science
    Georgetown, SC

    Mr. D. Wayne Rogers (Deboardieu)
    Catalyst Architects, LLC
    Lexington, SC

    Dr. George R. Askew
    Vice President
    Public Service and Agriculture
    Clemson, SC

    Mr Bartow S. Shaw, Jr (CUF/CUREF)
    American Forest Management, Inc; Retired
    Sumter, SC

    Mr. James R. Hendricks, Jr
    (CUF/CUREF)
    Pawleys Island, SC

    Laura L. Jordan, Advisor
    Development
    Clemson University
    Clemson, SC

    Mrs. Ann W. Hunter
    Member-At-Large
    Greenwood, SC

  • Stakeholder Representatives

    a group of the stakeholders posing for a photo outside under a tree

    William Campbell
    Former President, The Discovery Channel
    Litchfield Beach, SC & Miami, FL

    Kenneth Dunn
    Forester, Center for Heirs Property for Preservation
    Myrtle Beach, SC

    Ann English
    State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS
    Columbia, SC

    Joey Ferguson
    Resource Management Services
    Georgetown, SC

    Bill Gaskins
    American Forest Management
    Sumter, SC

    Amy McFadden
    White Oak Forestry
    Georgetown, SC

    Ken Rentiers
    Deputy Director, SC Dept. of Natural Resources
    Land, Water, and Conservation
    Columbia, SC

    Wayne Rogers
    Catalyst Architecture
    Wallace Pate Foundation board member & Debordieu resident

    Josh Sandt
    Canfor
    Conway/Myrtle Beach, SC

    Dan Scheffing
    For. Consultant/Retired Westvaco Land Mgmt.
    Andrews, SC

    Bo Shaw
    Retired Founder & Chairman, American Forest Management
    Sumter, SC/Charlotte, NC 

    Ernie Wiggers
    Nemours Wildlife Foundation (retired)
    Beaufort, SC

    Andrew Bridges
    Nemours Wildlife Foundation
    Beaufort, SC

front entrance of 2-story brick home

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
Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science
Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science | 177 Hobcaw Road, Georgetown, SC 29440 | PO Box 596 Georgetown SC 29442-0596