The green minivan crawls into one of the oldest stands of the Francis Marion National Forest. Longleaf pines such as these once dominated the coastal plain, spreading from the ridge tops to the lowlands. Beach and Muckenfuss hop out of the van. Muckenfuss douses his worn leather work boots with bug spray and offers the can to Beach. I'll take my chances.
Beach is South Carolina's leading advocate for the preservation and restoration of natural forests.
The Columbia native has brought together more than 3,000 people who want to improve the state's forestry and wildlife management. Beach is so excited he can't walk straight. He stoops to tug at plants. He points out birds and butterflies. He blurts out names for each, often interrupting himself.