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. This property will remain protected forever, thanks to the foresight and generosity of the landowners who donated conservation easements, and to the work of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, which will insure that the property is protected in perpetuity. As a direct result, current and future South Carolinians will enjoy the benefits of the unspoiled wildlife habitat, open spaces, timberland and viewscapes that we're privileged to call home.

The largest gift of conservation by a publicly held corporation in the history of South Carolina happened in August 2008 because of the exemplary citizenship of Norfolk Southern Corp., which donated 12,488 acres of Brosnan Forest. By gifting a perpetual easement in trust to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, Norfolk Southern Corp. ensures that the property will remain undeveloped forever. This act of corporate citizenship benefits the present and future residents and guests of South Carolina by protecting the natural resources, habitat, beauty and unique character of the area. The tract is located near Francis Beidler Forest, a globally-recognized bird sanctuary and old-growth swamp forest. The entire region now constitutes one of the most ecologically unspoiled land masses to have been protected in the state.

Other important properties protected in 2008 includes 374 acres of Ravenwood Plantation in Colleton County, donated by Nina and Frank Burke. This tract is in addition to the 392 acres that the Burkes already so generously placed under conservation easement in 2007, bringing their total to 766 acres in the ACE basin.  Good Hope Plantation conserved 2000 acres in Jasper County. The grant portion of the 16,000 acre property runs from Bees Creek Road to Old House Road and includes a large portion of the historic site of the Civil War Battle of Honey Hill, fought on November 30, 1864.  

If you are a landowner and would like to learn more about the benefits of land protection, you can click here.

If you are not a landowner, you can still help the work of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust by becoming a member. We’re a non-profit organization that provides our services free to landowners who donate conservation easements. As such, we’re dependent on the support of our individual and business members and foundations to be able to continue our work of helping landowners save the Lowcountry landscape.