Carolina Bays: Hidden Wetlands with Big Benefits
Carolina Bays are unique, oval shaped wetlands in the southeastern US that provide habitat for many rare plants and animals and provide multiple benefits for people. Once numbering in the thousands, most Carolina Bays have been drained, altered, or destroyed, to the detriment of wildlife and people. Recognizing the significant challenge of protecting and restoring Carolina Bays, in 2025 conservation groups in North and South Carolina came together to develop a conservation plan, share resources and information, and collaborate to improve the status of these wetlands.
Who are we?
The Carolina Bays Collaborative is a group of conservation professionals who work in land protection, natural resource management, research, and monitoring. We started this group to bring more awareness and attention to these invaluable wetlands. Explore our website to learn more about Carolina Bays and what you can do to help!
Photo: Blue Dasher Dragonfly, Laura Gingrich
What are Carolina Bays?
Carolina bays are elliptical wetlands with a consistent southeast-northwest orientation and a sandy rim. They can be found across the Coastal Plain of eastern North America, from Florida to New Jersey. Carolina Bays play a crucial role in ecology and serve as hotspots for biodiversity. They also can store floodwater, filter rainwater, mitigate wildfire, and provide recreational and habitat value.
Photo: Dunahoe Bay NC, Jeff Marcus
Mysteries of the Carolina Bays
People didn’t realize what Carolina Bays are until the invention of airplanes allowed a view from above, such as this 1937 image from Hoke County, NC. How these wetlands formed is still debated and can be explored further at Origin Stories.
Photo: 1937 Aerial Image, Hoke County, NC
