Lowcountry Land Trust is delighted to provide you with some exciting updates on the progress at Angel Oak Preserve. Based on our design progress, we are one year away from our groundbreaking and two years from opening the new Angel Oak Preserve. This shared dream is now within our grasp, and we can’t wait.
Our landscape architect, Nelson Byrd Woltz, has reached the final stages of the design development phase for the Preserve. This milestone marks a significant step forward, involving detailed drawings and specifications to transform our vision into a tangible reality. At the heart of this design is the goal of creating a public space that supports the health and longevity of the Angel Oak and provides much-needed open green space for the surrounding community.
Liollio Architecture is working hard on the design of the Welcome Center, which will be central to the visitor experience. Per Nelson Byrd Woltz’s comprehensive plan, the Welcome Center will be located away from the Angel Oak’s root system and replace all structures currently in the Park. Later this month, Liollio will enter the schematic design phase, where the structure and layout of this important facility will be more clearly defined.
The Welcome Center will be crucial for orienting visitors to the site and helping them understand the significance of the land. It will have a new, more extensive gift shop to help fund operations. The center will feature interpretive panels that provide an overview of the history of the Sea Islands, offering the necessary historical background to enhance visitors’ understanding of the interpretation presented near the Angel Oak. As visitors move closer to the tree, the information will become more specific to the history of the property and the Angel Oak itself.
Across the Preserve, features such as an outdoor classroom, nature play area, wooded trails, interpretive signage, and a thoughtfully placed parking area away from the roots of the Angel Oak have been carefully curated to blend seamlessly with the landscape. Every design element prioritizes the preservation of the tree and the surrounding forest while providing an inviting, accessible space for locals and visitors to slow down and connect with nature.
Our interpretive committee brings invaluable expertise in Gullah Geechee culture, indigenous history, Johns Island history, education, and the Preserve’s natural history. Members include Dr. Tamara Butler, Executive Director of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, Ista Clarke, Coastal History Interpretative Specialist, McLeod Plantation, Chief Lisa Collins, Wassamassaw Tribe, Paula Feldman, Author and Historian, Rev. DeMett Jenkins, Director Of Education And Engagement For Faith-Based Communities For The International African American Museum, Jason Kronsberg, Section Chief, City of Charleston, Department of Facilities and Capital Projects, Danielle Lovelace, Forest school educator, Queen Quet, Chieftess, Gullah/Geechee Nation, Cameron Rickett, Bartlett Tree Experts, Angel Oak Arborist, Marissa Sams, Marissa Sams Events, Rev. Callie Walpole, St. Johns Episcopal Church, and Kristna Wheeler, Natural History Interpretation Specialist, CCPRC.
Last month, we hosted a focused workshop to ensure that the preserve’s design and signage authentically represent its historical, cultural, and natural narratives.
As our plans for the Preserve continue to solidify, we have formed new connections and opportunities to make our vision a reality. We will share more about the full construction costs and fundraising needs in the coming months. We invite you to participate in this process and hope you will consider donating to support our program work as we lead up to the construction phase. Your investment will support our community engagement, continued design, and early site work as we prepare to break ground in late summer of 2025.
The growing enthusiasm from both our local community and national partners is energizing, and we look forward to sharing more updates and building this shared vision together.
