Francis Beidler Forest

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 18,000 acres (73 km) of mainly bald cypress and tupelo gum hardwood forest and swamp with approximately 1,800 acres (7 km2) of old-growth forest. It is the largest virgin stand of cypress-tupelo forest in the world, with some Bald Cypress trees over 1,000 years old. It is a common spot for birdwatchers and is used for biological research projects by area schools. The preserve was established to protect one of only two stands of old-growth forest in South Carolina. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1979. On May 30, 2008 the forest was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. In 2020, Four Holes Swamp was designated a site on the National Park Service's Underground Railroad - Network to Freedom program.