Twenty Years of Preserving the Lowcountry Landscape for Future Generations

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 just two decades LOLT and private landowners have protected over 45,000 acres from the Savannah River to north of Georgetown! 

Today’s 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 decades.

Reflecting on the past 20 years, 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.