OUR MISSION
Preserving Natural And Rural Land Throughout The Lowcountry
Since our founding in 1986, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust has become one of the leading land trusts in the country.
The Lowcountry Open Land Trust is a local land conservation organization that is focused on preserving natural and rural land throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; contributions from our members may be tax deductible.
We have protected more than 88,000 acres of ecologically, agriculturally, and historically significant land.
Conservation Easements
Our principal tool for protection has been voluntary conservation easements donated by private landowners. Our staff works with landowners to design easements that preserve the natural landscape and protect wildlife habitat, water quality and historic resources, while promoting traditional uses such as agriculture, hunting and forestry.
Learn more about conservation easements here.
Information Seminars For Landowners
In addition to providing educational materials and advice to individuals, we hold informational seminars for groups of landowners interested in learning more about their options for land protection and conservation easements. Similarly, we provide information on the technical and legal aspects of conservation easements to landowner advisors in the estate planning, accounting, real estate, and legal fields.
We also provide expertise, technical assistance and material support to numerous conservation groups and partnerships in the local area, across the Lowcountry.
One of the Nation's Most Successful Land Trusts
Early in 1985, the residents of Parkdale subdivision acquired the 20 acre Parkdale Island, now known as Alge Island, to prevent inappropriate development. With this initial step, the residents formed the nonprofit Lowcountry Open Land Trust (LOLT) as the vehicle for protection. During the next several years, conservationists in the Charleston community recognized the value of a land trust that could work with private landowners to help restrict development on other sensitive properties. The residents of Parkdale generously offered their organization for the larger endeavor.
This community-at-large effort has given a gift to us all by laying the foundation for what has become one of the nation's most successful land trusts. In twenty-five years the Lowcountry Open Land Trust and private landowners have protected over 88,000 acres from the Savannah River to north of Georgetown.
For Generations To Come
Today's conservation challenges are many in the Lowcountry. To meet each new challenge the Land Trust is continuing its partnerships with individuals, communities, state and federal agencies, as well as other conservation organizations to enhance the accomplishments made over the past two and a half decades.
Reflecting on the past, we see that we owe a great debt to those individuals who have charted a sound course for our organization. We will continue to draw upon their leadership to conserve land and open space for the generations to come.
