FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Vision to Conserve Wildlife Habitat

Marsh Furniture Company, based in High Point, N.C., and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have made a commitment to preserving the wildlife habitat along the Great Pee Dee River located within 45 minutes of the Myrtle Beach Area in Marion County.

In December 2005, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources purchased the 8,560 acres of Marsh Furniture Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for $7 million from Marsh Furniture Company. The acquisition was funded with $2 million from the S.C. Conservation Bank and $5 million from the DNR Heritage Trust program. According to Marvin Davant, executive director of the S.C. Conservation Bank, “the dedication of the beautiful Marsh Furniture property is the celebration of a vision to conserve and protect our wild and natural areas, a vision that reaches well into the future”.

Reid Marsh, the chairman and chief executive of Marsh Furniture at the time the deal was completed, was hesitant to sell the land to a private buyer - even if it was a good offer - because he didn't want the cherished wilderness to become developed. Reid Marsh and the Marsh family’s decision to sell the land to the S.C. DNR and the S.C. Conservation Bank are especially significant because similar tracts in the area are rapidly being split and sold”.

The Marsh tract is Marion’s second such preserve, owned and managed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in addition to the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve. The Marsh tract includes 8.5 miles of river frontage and bottomland hardwood forest on the Great Pee Dee River, enhancing and protecting the water quality of the river and its tributaries. The more upland areas consist of various aged longleaf and loblolly pine stands. The Marsh tract has tremendous restoration potential and provides valuable habitat for deer, turkey, wood storks, duck, black bear, and quail.

A dedication ceremony commemorating the acquisition was held Friday, April 7, 2006, in Marion County. Representing Marsh Furniture Company at the ceremony was Jimmy Marsh, the vice president of cabinet-maker Marsh Furniture. His father, Everett Marsh, bought the land in 1957. Just like his father, Jimmy felt a close attachment to the land. The Marsh family used the vast tract as a place to hunt, swim, and fish. Over time, the family used the property less and less, and in 1991, the tract was opened as public hunting land.

“Since 1991, South Carolinians have enjoyed public access for hunting, fishing and other wildlife related activities within the Marsh Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area” , according to DNR director John Frampton. “Thanks to the Marsh family’s long standing commitment to conservation, this vast expanse of recreational land and important wildlife habitat is now in public hands and protected in perpetuity.”

The DNR Heritage Trust Program protects significant natural and cultural lands in South Carolina. The policy-making Heritage Trust Advisory Board serves as a liaison between the public, the Heritage Trust Program and the S.C. Natural Resources Board. Formed by state law in 1976, Heritage Trust has protected 80,217 acres on 66 state heritage preserves found throughout South Carolina. Visit www.dnr.sc.gov to learn more.

The SC Conservation Bank was established in 2001 for the purpose of making grants and loans to public and private entities to acquire land, green space and wildlife habitat worthy of conservation.

Marsh Furniture Company has been manufacturing fine kitchen and bath cabinetry for over 99 years. As we approach our 100th anniversary we are committed to delivering the highest level of customer care and quality products. Because of these values, Marsh Furniture remains one of the largest independently owned stock cabinet manufacturers in the United States. Visit our website at www.marshfurniture.com.

Inquiries:
Tom Reinbold, Marketing Manager
Telephone: 336.884.7363

	1001 S. Centennial Street, P.O. Box 870, High Point, NC 27261-0870 Phone 336.884.7363 Fax 336.884.3553