Seminar on Tax Incentives for Conservation Easements

09/28/06

Alhambra Hall, Mount Pleasant

Attorneys, accountants, appraisers, developers, financial planners, foresters, realtors, other landowner advisors, and land-trust staff participated in this informative seminar.  The featured speaker was Stephen J. Small, the nation's leading authority on private land protection options and strategies. Small spoke about tax planning with conservation easements under the new law signed by President Bush on August 17, 2006. 

LOLT Vice President, Scott Barnes, Esq. and Ducks Unlimited Director of Land Protection for South Carolina, Badge Humphries, Esq., spoke about SC tax code issues. Other presentations included historic preservation easements, appraising conservation contributions, estate planning and post-mortem conservation easements.  A reception for seminar attendees and landowners followed the seminar.

Presented through a collaborative effort by the Mount Pleasant Open Space Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, the Coastal Conservation League, and the Southern Environmental Law Center, the seminar was sponsored by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation and the Center for Humans and Nature.

Blue Moon Barbeque

09/21/06

Goldbug Island

Edisto Island Art Opening at Ann Long Fine Art

09/16/06

Ann Long Fine Art
177 King Street, Charleston

Renowned Bristish painter, Antony Bream, lived at Edisto Island capturing the unique landscape of our Lowcountry.  While initially Tony was captivated by our marshland, he soon discovered Edisto's agricultural history reflected in abandoned farm equipment, tractors, and the ubiquitous "pick-up."

Members of the Land Trust were invited to attend this special evening, with Tony giving a gallery talk prior to opening at 5:30 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust and the Edisto Island Open Land Trust.

Daniel Island Event

07/27/06

LOLT hosted a gathering at the Pierce Park Pavilion on Daniel Island for area residents with cocktails, a lite dinner, and blue grass music by High Road Trio.  Daniel Island Co. and the Commonwealth Financial Group co-sponsored the event. Rob Spence donated Mobius Beer and floral arrangements for the tables were donated by Rosebank Farms. Over 100 people came out to learn about the Land Trust and what we are doing to help conserve the Lowcountry.

Otter Island Marine Education Program

06/27/06

Otter Island, a Heritage Preserve property, is isolated, undeveloped and protected by open water boundaries.  It’s best known for its abundance of wildlife species largely in part due to its location (Edisto Island is to the north and Hunting, Fripp Islands are to the south), as it is an optimal place for species to rest, feed, and reproduce without development pressures. Otter Island wildlife includes, white-tailed deer, raccoons, feral hogs, loggerhead sea turtles, and a variety of songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds, and shore birds.

Our group left from Bennett’s Point at 10:00 AM to enjoy a day of fun and learning aboard the Marine Resource Department Boat.  Discovery took us to Otter Island  where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and beach walk, and then we trawled down the waterways to sample some of the species that live in the ACE Basin. 

Wadmalaw Boat Tour

06/07/06

On June 7th, LOLT sponsored a boat ride on the Pirate’s Lady around part of Wadmalaw and up into the Leadenwah Creek area where some of our easement properties are located. LOLT has a total of 34 protected properties on Wadmalaw, totaling 3,700 acres.  Lewis Hay, Director of Land Protection and Wadmalaw native, guided the tour and pointed out some of these protected properties, giving a brief history of the Land Trust’s role in the conservation of the area. Many boat ride attendees had questions the easement process and how LOLT prioritizes our protection efforts.

Membership Picnic

03/11/06 
Ashe Point, Toogoodoo Creek

Once again we were graced with good weather and a great turnout for the membership picnic. Nearly 300 members and guests came to Ashe Point along Toogoodoo Creek to enjoy roasted oysters, barbeque, fellowship and live music by the Cavallaro Orchestra.  Former LOLT Board President and easement donor, Tony Merck, hosted the event, providing a beautiful venue along the scenic creek. 

 Guided boat rides left from the dock at Ashe Point and explored downstream before returning. Demonstrations on fly fishing were put on by Luden’s. International Birds of Prey had two birds and handlers on-site during event.  Tony Bream, artist in residence at Ashe Point for Ann Long Fine Arts, also displayed his paintings. Entertainment for the children included hay rides, croquets, face painting and a clown.

Annual Meeting 

02/13/06

5:30 p.m.

The Board of Trustees, members and friends attended the 2006 Annual Meeting, sponsored by the Bank of South Carolina. The event was held at the Historic Rice Mill Building at the City Marina. Our 2005 Easement Donors and the winners of the Essay and Photo Contest were recognized.

Guest author of Sweetgrass, Mary Alice Monroe did a reading and a book signing. A reception will follow the meeting.

20th Anniversary Gala 

11/22/2005

6:30 p.m.

Charleston Place

In celebration of 20 years preserving the Lowcountry’s sense of place and quality of life through land conservation, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust proudly hosted a 20th Anniversary Gala.

During the reception everyone browsed through the silent and live auction items.

A wonderful dinner and program followed, reflecting on the history of the Land Trust and the people who have been so instrumental in our success. Past Board Member, Vice Admiral Douglas Plate was awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent by Governor Sanford for his years of volunteerism. Mike McShane made the presentation.

Music was provided by Second Nature, one of the south’s leading bands. A live auction filled with unique and priceless items raised money for conservation.

Guided Walk through Audubon Sanctuary at Francis Beidler Forest 

10/23/2005

Members and friends of LOLT attend a special event at the Audubon Sanctuary at Francis Beidler Forest. Sanctuary Manager, Norm Brunswig, and LOLT Director of Land Protection, Lewis Hay, gave a brief program in an outdoor classroom about the joint effort of LOLT and Audubon to conserve property in Four Holes Swamp surrounding Francis Beidler Forest. Afterwards Brunswig took the group on a guided walk through the Sanctuary to view its unique habitats and wildlife.

Mysterious Carolina Bays 

9/25/2005

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Some of the most unusual wetland formations are the mysterious Carolina Bays. Nobody knows what formed these elliptical depressions in the ground, found mostly in the Carolinas. Participants spent a pleasant fall Sunday afternoon walking through the woods of the Francis Marion Forest exploring these Bays with an authority on the flora of South Carolina, Richard Porcher.

ACE Basin Wetlands Program 

6/30/2005

Lowcountry Open Land Trust in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Carolina Coastal Discovery Marine Education program held a destination-based marine science program for those interested in learning about our most treasured jewel in the Lowcountry, the ACE Basin salt marsh estuary. The group of 30 learned about estuaries, the salt marsh and the animals that inhabit theses areas. They participated in hands on activities and demonstrations and toured the new Edisto Interpretive Center.

Sandy Island Kayak Expedition 

5/21/2005

Land Trust members and staff kayaked from Waccawache landing to Sandy Island. The island is a unique land form in South Carolina, supporting a diverse assemblage of natural communities. It is located between the Waccamaw and Great Pee Dee Rivers and represents the largest undeveloped tract remaining in the Waccamaw Neck. The island is composed of wetland and upland communities. The 1,100 acres of wetlands along the Waccamaw River, on the east side of Sandy Island, were converted to rice plantations during the 1800s. A few remnant impoundments and water control structures used for rice culture are still intact. Coastal Expeditions provided all the kayaks and was our guide on the river. Participants enjoyed an educational program about the rare species of plants and animals existing in the longleaf pine forest followed by a guided walk.