Audubon's Beidler Forest Sanctuary

The Francis Beidler Forest is an Audubon wildlife sanctuary in Four Holes Swamp, a blackwater creek system in South Carolina, United States. It consists of over 16,000 acres (65 km²) of mainly bald cypress and tupelo gum hardwood forest and swamp with approximately of old-growth forest. It is the largest virgin stand of these trees in the world, with some trees over 1,000 years old. It is a favorite haunt of birdwatchers and is used for biological research projects by area schools. The preserve was established to protect 1,800 acres of what was then one of only two stands of old-growth forest in South Carolina. On May 30, 2008 the forest was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1979.