The Lowcountry Open Land Trust Announces the Largest Easement in our 23-Year History

We’re proud to have partnered with Norfolk Southern Corp to protect 12,488 acres of Brosnan Forest, a pristine Lowcountry property in Dorchester County.

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2008 is Surpassing All Records for Acreage Saved

As of August 2008, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust has already surpassed the unprecedented year it had in 2007, protecting 14,862 acres to date.

Federal Tax Benefits for Conservation Easement Donors Extended Through Dec 31, 2009

The tax laws that significantly improved incentives for Conservation Easements in 2006/ 2007 have now been extended through December 31, 2009. This is a victory for land conservation! Read more ...

Our Mission

To protect, through private voluntary conservation measures, the irreplaceable Lowcountry forests, farmland, open spaces, wildlife habitat and wetlands, thus helping to preserve forever our community's unique sense of place and quality of life.

Protection of land by conservation easements and other methods represents a lasting solution for preserving the Lowcountry's natural and historic landscape.

The Lowcountry Open Land Trust adheres to high ethical standards and has adopted the Land Trust Standards and Practices as guidelines for our operations.

With the support of conservation-minded landowners, members and foundations we have preserved over 47,000 acres throughout the coastal plain of South Carolina, from the Savannah River to Winyah Bay.  To learn more about our protected properties, view our Land Protection section.

We invite anyone who is concerned about the rapid loss of our natural environment in the Lowcountry to become a member and support our work.

"You can make difference!"  These are the words of one of our founding members, Nancy Hawk, reflecting back on the accomplishments of the organization that she helped to get started.