Caton Creek Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank

Just beyond Charleston, South Carolina's bustling growth lies a hidden sanctuary that pulses with wildlife. Caton Creek is more than just a wetland — it’s a forested wetland working to improve water quality for wildlife and people alike. It’s a place where waterfowl settle in for the season, and the quiet hum of nature carries on undisturbed.

But that quiet is becoming rarer. As the Charleston metro area stretches its boundaries, landscapes like Caton Creek face growing pressure. What was once remote is now within reach, and at risk.

That’s why protecting this habitat is more than a conservation goal. It’s a commitment to the waterfowl that rely on these wetlands year after year — and to future generations who deserve clean water and natural areas. At Caton Creek, the stakes are high, but so is the potential to make a lasting difference.

Caton Creek Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank has restored, enhanced and preserved approximately 29,000 feet of Caton Creek and its tributaries and approximately 113 acres of wetlands. HDR and Smurfit WestRock oversaw the bank’s development and ecological restoration.

“Caton Creek’s restored meanders and cypress-tupelo swamps provide wetland functions and wildlife values of incalculable worth,” said HDR Project Manager Blair Wade.

This site produces stream and wetland credits that help offset unavoidable environmental impacts within the Bank’s designated service area, which includes the rapidly developing Ashley River and Cooper River watersheds. Since the wetlands and streams here are freshwater, not affected by tides or saltwater, any credits from this site can only be used to offset impacts to other freshwater systems.

Thanks to an established 479-acre conservation easement, the future of this land now centers on what matters most: conservation and the enduring tradition of recreational hunting. Wetland and upland habitats that once faced an uncertain fate are now safeguarded, offering vital nesting and feeding grounds for countless species of waterfowl and wildlife.

“The Caton Creek Mitigation Bank project plays a vital role in improving water quality across the region,” said DU Conservation Lands Coordinator Diana Iriarte. “By restoring native wetlands and stream systems, we're enhancing natural filtration processes that reduce sediment, nutrients and pollutants before they reach our waterways. These efforts benefit local ecosystems and contribute to cleaner, healthier water for surrounding communities.”

This is more than land protection — it’s a promise to preserve the natural rhythms of this landscape for generations to come. While sustainable forestry and outdoor pursuits continue on neighboring properties, the heart of this land beats stronger than ever, protected and thriving as a beacon of habitat stewardship.