From Malta to the Marshes

Lessons from the Mediterranean stir continued appreciation for South Carolina

By Alex Junes-Ward

Dr. Tom Mullikin, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), has for more than four decades developed a profound appreciation for the natural wonders of the world. And following a recent journey through the Mediterranean; the globally recognized conservationist returned to a familiar and “all-important” conclusion: Few places on Earth rival the natural beauty and ecological diversity of South Carolina.

Invited to deliver a series of educational lectures while enjoying a vacation cruise through the Mediterranean region, Mullikin expounded on the opportunity to share his lifelong passion for conservation, environmental education, and the protection of natural resources with fellow travelers.

Mullikin’s lectures explored the ecological significance of the historically significant Mediterranean Sea, the relationship between human civilization and the natural environment, and the increasingly important role of conservation in protecting fragile ecosystems for future generations.

“After 40 years of traveling around the world and witnessing firsthand some of the most spectacular environments on Earth, I am more convinced than ever that South Carolina is one of the most beautiful places in God’s creation,” Mullikin said. “From the Jocassee Gorges to the ACE Basin, we have been entrusted with a very special piece of the Lord’s Garden. With that extraordinary blessing comes an equally extraordinary responsibility to protect it for generations yet unborn.”

Mullikin made the interesting observation that though the Mediterranean’s waters account for less than a percent of the global ocean surface, the sea supports an exceptional concentration of marine biodiversity, including thousands of species found nowhere else on Earth. “Its surrounding coastlines, islands, forests, and wetlands also provide essential habitats and migration corridors connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia,” Mullikin reminded his audiences.

Mullikin discussed the “delicate relationship” between the Mediterranean’s ecosystems and the civilizations that have depended upon them for thousands of years. “From Malta’s ancient landscapes and prehistoric temples to Sicily’s dramatic volcanic terrain, the region provides striking examples of how geological forces, biological diversity, and human activity have shaped the natural world,” he says. Moreover, Italy’s Mount Etna, one of Europe’s most active volcanoes, serves as a powerful reminder that the Earth remains a dynamic and constantly changing planet. Meanwhile, the region’s marine habitats, coastal wetlands, and migratory bird corridors face mounting pressures from development, habitat degradation, and changing environmental conditions.”

Mullikin emphasized that protecting these resources requires international cooperation, sound scientific research, public education, and a recognition that environmental stewardship transcends political and geographic boundaries. “Whether we are discussing the Mediterranean, the African savannas, the polar regions, or the coastal marshes of South Carolina, the fundamental principles of conservation remain the same,” he said. “We must understand the natural systems upon which life depends, recognize the pressures threatening those systems, and work together to ensure their survival.”

Mullikin says that like the Mediterranean region, South Carolina occupies a special place among the world’s natural treasures. “Within a relatively compact geographic area, the Palmetto State contains an extraordinary range of ecosystems extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean,” he says. “These include pristine mountain streams, ancient hardwood forests, rolling Piedmont landscapes, longleaf pine habitats, blackwater rivers, freshwater wetlands, coastal estuaries, salt marshes, and barrier islands.

According to Mullikin: “S.C.’s Jocassee Gorges, with its dramatic mountain scenery, waterfalls, rare plant communities, and exceptional biological diversity, represent one of the Southeast’s most significant natural landscapes. Farther south, Congaree National Park protects one of the nation’s most remarkable remaining expanses of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest.

Mullikin also points to the ACE Basin which is formed by the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto river systems and, as he says, “Standing among the Atlantic Coast’s great conservation success stories, preserving an interconnected landscape of tidal marshes, maritime forests, wetlands, and productive estuarine habitats. South Carolina’s beaches provide important nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles, while its rivers, forests, and wetlands support countless species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.”

Mullikin believes S.C.’s ecological richness deserves the same international recognition afforded to many of the world’s more famous natural destinations.

“People travel thousands of miles to witness extraordinary natural beauty, and certainly there is much to admire around the world,” Mullikin said. “But we should never overlook the treasures in our own backyard. South Carolina possesses an ecological richness that is truly remarkable, and every citizen should take pride in that inheritance.”

Mullikin points to S.C.’s expanding conservation efforts as a reason for optimism. “Approximately 3.2 million acres of land across the state have been protected through the combined work of public agencies, private landowners, conservation organizations, and concerned citizens,” said Mullikin. “These efforts represent a broad commitment to preserving natural habitats, protecting water resources, maintaining wildlife corridors, and ensuring future generations can continue enjoying S.C.’s outdoor heritage.”

He adds: “Under Gov. Henry McMaster’s leadership, S.C. has advanced an ambitious long-term vision of protecting 10-million acres through collaborative conservation efforts. The state’s Priority Conservation Action Plan seeks to strengthen partnerships among government agencies, conservation organizations, private industry, and landowners to identify and protect environmentally significant landscapes.”

Mullikin also reiterated his belief that conservation and economic prosperity should not be viewed as competing priorities. “Healthy forests, productive estuaries, clean waterways, and protected wildlife habitats support tourism, recreation, agriculture, fisheries, and countless industries that contribute to S.C.’s economy,” he said. “They also protect communities from flooding, improve water quality, and sustain the outdoor traditions that have helped define the state’s cultural identity. Conservation is not simply about protecting beautiful scenery. It is about protecting the natural systems that sustain our communities, support our economy, and connect us to our history and heritage. It is about recognizing that responsible stewardship is both a privilege and a duty.”

Throughout his lectures, one of Mullikin’s central messages was that successful conservation depends upon cooperation. “Governments alone cannot protect the world’s ecosystems,” he said. “Lasting environmental progress requires the participation of scientists, educators, businesses, landowners, conservation organizations, and ordinary citizens. The same principles apply whether protecting marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean or preserving S.C.’s forests, wetlands, and coastal environs.”

The lessons of the Mediterranean, where human civilization has interacted with the natural environment for thousands of years, reinforce the importance of planning carefully and acting before irreplaceable resources are lost, he says.

Listen to more of Dr. Mullikin’s “lessons learned” at INTO THE WILD.
[https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/show/into-the-wild]

– Pictured are Dr. Tom Mullikin and wife Virginia Ann Mullikin traveling across the northern Mediterranean earlier this month.

– Alex Junes-Ward is a S.C.-based freelance writer.