The South Lowcountry (SoLo) is the largest of the coastal Focus Areas, containing the 1,426,000 acres of Allendale, Hampton, Jasper, and most of Beaufort counties. The area includes 17 rivers that wind through 1,000,000 acres of forestland and farmland and 90,400 acres of coastal wetlands.

The SoLo boasts six state Wildlife Management Areas and both the Savannah River and Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuges. Listed species found in the SoLo Focus Area include the peregrine falcon, coopers hawk, bald eagle, and wood stork as well as several species of upland and wetland plants. Numerous game species inhabit the Solo Focus Area, such as white-tailed deer, turkey, doves, quail, raccoons, squirrels and rabbits, making hunting and fishing popular activities. Historically, both rice and cotton cultivation were prominent across the landscape and the SoLo Focus Area includes sixty historic plantations spanning 315,424 acres.

Through cooperative efforts between landowners, public agencies and private conservation organizations, 75,000 acres have been protected in the SoLo Focus Area. The Lowcountry Open Land Trust currently holds 31 easements in the SoLo area, protecting 22,221 acres of natural and rural land.

The South Lowcountry Task Force includes: Private landowners; US Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service; S.C. Department of Natural Resources; S.C. Forestry Commission; Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; The Nature Conservancy of S.C.; Lowcountry Open Land Trust; Beaufort County Open Land Trust.

Return to Full Focus Area Map