Inside Montage Palmetto Bluff’s Naturalist Programming

South Carolina’s Lowcountry contains an unspoiled, natural beauty that stays with travelers long past their stays. 

Nestled along the May River, luxury resort Montage Palmetto Bluff celebrates that environmental and historical backdrop with its own staff naturalist, who heads up programming for guests hoping to explore the Lowcountry’s richness. Knowledgeable and passionate environmental scientist Cassie Beato specializes in educating guests on local flora and fauna and sustainability through guided tours and special events. Beato came to the resort in April 2022, and her duties also include wildlife and land management, working in tandem with nonprofit Palmetto Bluff Conservancy to protect those lush maritime forests and winding tidal creeks that crisscross the region. 

Prior to joining Montage Palmetto Bluff, Beato spent seven years as an environmental coordinator and senior lifeguard trainer at Disney Hilton Head Island Resort.

On the programming side, guests see the fruits of that partnership through the resort’s yearlong activities. These include an inland waterway ecotour, in which guests glide along the lagoon waterways to learn about the region’s ecology and history. You can also tour the lush surroundings on foot, as Beato leads guests through pathways that highlight Bird Island, the resort’s treehouses, River Road, and more. Private tours are also available, catering to specific interests such as area songbirds and reptiles.

The Palmetto Bluff Conservancy was founded in 2003 to ensure the conservation vision for this amazing piece of land in the heart of the Lowcountry.

As for programming specific to this season, November and December contain a slew of opportunities to explore the Lowcountry surrounding the resort:

In November, Well Living programming includes “Exploring Native American Traditions: Crafting Fishing Poles and Clay Pots”—an immersive journey into the rich heritage of Native Americans and ingenious methods of catching and storing food. Participants use natural materials sourced from the environment to construct their own fishing poles and decorative pots. Participants will use leaves, sticks, and other found objects to mimic the artistic embellishments that Native Americans used to adorn their pottery, as well.

Also in November, the Fireside Chat “Talkin’ Turkeys” offers an ideal pre-Thanksgiving activity: Visitors get the chance to explore the fascinating world of wild turkeys and their role as an indicator species in the Bluff’s ecosystem with Beato. 

The Bluff has programs that focus specifically on the area’s fauna.

In both November and December, visitors can also participate in programming that explores the fruits and berries that fuels local fauna during the winter; take a stroll at dusk to discover the owls of the Bluff; and learn about the massive population of white-tailed deer via the staff naturalist.

 That’s just a taste at the wonders you can explore at Montage Palmetto Bluff. Learn more about the Bluff’s Naturalist programming and beyond here.