Nine Times Forest to be protected

A special South Carolina place is being placed under protection. The environmental group Naturaland Trust, has announced that it and Upstate Forever have succeeded in protecting the 1,648-acre Nine Times Forest in Pickens County. Naturaland Trust describes Nine Times Forest as an ecological jewel, containing three mountains of granite outer-croppings with streams, creeks, and stands of hardwoods. It’s located near Jocassee Gorges and provides habitat for bear and other wildlife. The funding to make the protection possible came from four sources, including a grant from the U-S Forest Service.