If you are managing land for wildlife in the Southeast and are reading this blog, we almost certainly have something in common. I’m referring to the ire for the infamous American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). They are one of the most hated native trees in the country, and undoubtedly one of the most likely to survive a nuclear winter or a “Planet Killer” meteorite. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the American sweetgum and are asking yourself, “Why not just cu

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our founder, Mr. Gary Dietrich. While his passing leaves a tremendous void in the Interlaken Wildlife Foundation family, we are honored to carry forward the vision, passion, and legacy he built. Please keep Mr. Dietrich’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Garrett “Gary” Walter Dietrich, 91, of Cameron, SC, passed away on August 7, 2026, at his home

CAMERON, S.C. — August 5, 2026 — The Interlaken Wildlife Foundation is pleased to announce Robert Gibbes as its new Executive Director. Gibbes will oversee the Foundation's mission for connecting people to nature through outdoor recreation, education, and hunting and shooting sports. As Executive Director, Gibbes will lead the Foundation's efforts to expand wildlife habitat conservation, strengthen educational outreach, foster partnerships with public and private stakeholders

For more than thirty years, Gary and Carolyn Dietrich have lived on the Interlaken property outside Cameron, South Carolina, and managed it for wildlife. Their efforts have produced a beautiful mixed landscape of mature pinelands, agricultural fields, and the headwaters of Four Hole Swamp running right through the middle of the property. Wildlife abounds at Interlaken. This includes whitetail deer, raccoons, opossums, gray squirrels, fox squirrels, bobcats, wild turkeys, bobw

One of the Interlaken Wildlife Foundation's richest natural features is the headwaters of Four Hole Swamp, which starts on the northern boundary and flows three-quarters of a mile right through the middle of the property. This swamp land is a small blackwater river that is a tributary to the Edisto River. After the swamp begins on the Interlaken property in Calhoun County, it flows 62 miles to the confluence. But it all starts here at Interlaken. Four Hole Swamp is classified