Yoga at the Angel Oak
2023-07-26 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Angel Oak Preserve, 3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island, SC, 29455, United States
In honor of MUSC and SC7’s Adventure Out week in Charleston this July, Lowcountry Land Trust and The City of Charleston will host an outdoor yoga experience at the Angel Oak on Wednesday, July 26, at 10 am. This event is free but limited to 40 participants. Register here: https://give.lowcountrylandtrust.org/SC7YogaAngelOak
Guests will experience the connection between nature and wellness under the majestic and centuries-old Angel Oak tree at this unique event. Popular Johns Island yoga studio Everybody Zen will lead the group, incorporating a blend of breath and movement into the rejuvenating, hour-long session. Beginners are welcome to attend as modifications for more complex poses will be demonstrated.
Yoga at the Angel Oak is the final experience of MUSC and SC7’s Adventure Out initiative. The week-long event series aims to encourage outdoor recreation. Exercising outdoors has many additional benefits to traditional indoor fitness activities, including improved stress management, self-esteem and mood, and a sense of well-being. The Yoga at the Angel Oak experience will bring together nature, conservation, mind, and body.
The free Yoga at the Angel Oak event will allow locals to experience a sample of programming offered at the future preserve. Lowcountry Land Trust’s Angel Oak Preserve Director, Samantha Siegel, will also be in attendance to answer any questions patrons may have about the much-anticipated project. Register here: https://give.lowcountrylandtrust.org/SC7YogaAngelOak

Preserving Your Legacy: Estate planning, charitable bequests, life insurance, & more
2023-08-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Lowcountry Land Trust, 635 Rutledge Avenue Suite 107, Charleston, SC, 29403, United States
Are you interested in leaving a lasting legacy? Join Lowcountry Land Trust on August 24 for an insightful estate planning panel discussion and Q&A in honor of National Make-A-Will Month (August). To help you get started on your plans for preserving your legacy, Trustees Bob Baldwin (Baldwin & Associates) and Bobby Creech (WebsterRogers), as well as attorney Carter Grant (Grant & Kuyk, P.C.), will provide participants with expert advice and guidance on navigating the intricacies of estate planning, charitable bequests, life insurance, and more. Light refreshments will be provided.
This event is free but limited to 30 participants.
Please click here to register.
Bob Baldwin grew up in Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia with undergraduate and graduate degrees in business and accounting. A Certified Public Accountant, he is a principal in a local accounting firm, Baldwin & Associates, following earlier experience with Ernst & Ernst. Mr. Baldwin is a Personal Financial Specialist and an Accredited Estate Planner. He has served as a Board member and Vice Chairman of the South Carolina Board of Accountancy and is a past president of the South Carolina Association of CPAs. Mr. Baldwin is a frequent speaker on many topics including Federal, State, and Local taxation.
Bobby Creech has been a practicing CPA in the Charleston area since 1988. He currently serves as the Regional Managing Partner of the Lowcountry and the Partner-in-Charge of the WebsterRogers Firm’s Real Estate Group. Additionally, he is the Chair for WebsterRogers Financial Advisor and serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Creech’s extensive professional experience includes income and estate taxation, compliance and planning, real estate development planning, historic rehabilitation projects, conservation easement planning, and timberland services. Mr. Creech is involved extensively in both professional and community activities including the SC Board of Accountancy, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, and the Trident CEO Council. He is also a past recipient of the SC Association of CPAs Service to the Profession award as well as the College of Charleston, Howard F. Rudd, Jr., Business Person of the Year.
Carter Grant concentrates his practice in areas of business law, taxation, and estate planning. He advises individuals, closely held businesses and their owners on a range of corporate, transactional, and planning matters. He counsels business clients in matters ranging from entity formation, corporate governance, and general commercial contract issues to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, financing transactions and reorganizations. Carter regularly advises individuals in basic will and trust preparation, probate administration, as well as complex estate planning and wealth preservation techniques. Carter grew up in Charleston and graduated from Davidson College and Wake Forest University School of Law. He lives in Mt. Pleasant with his wife and their three children.

Lowcountry Summer Sendoff Benefit Concert
2023-08-26 17:00 - 21:00 | Holy City Brewing, 1021 Aragon Ave, North Charleston, South Carolina, 29405
Lowcountry Land Trust’s upcoming Lowcountry Summer Sendoff benefit concert will take place at the marsh-front Porter Room at Holy City Brewing on Saturday, August 26, from 5 to 9 pm. This family-friendly event will feature live rock music performances by local musicians and cover bands in support of the organization’s mission to protect land and water forever, nurture the relationship between people and place, and connect the community to conservation. Tickets are $20, and advance purchases are recommended: https://give.lowcountrylandtrust.org/LowcountrySummerSendoff
The Lowcountry Summer Sendoff benefit concert will bring together music enthusiasts, nature lovers, and community members in a celebration of both local talent and environmental stewardship. Guests will experience scenic views while listening to local musicians and bands, such as Alan Price, Cult Rock Revival, and Speed of Sound, playing rock songs from the 1950s to now. Popular food truck Blue Pearl Caviar will be on-site, and a private bar within the venue will also be available for guests to purchase drinks. In addition to ticket sales, one dollar for every Angel Oak Pale Ale sold during the event will benefit Lowcountry Land Trust. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase and can be used toward various prizes.
The Lowcountry Summer Sendoff promises to be an inspiring event filled with live music, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to protecting the Lowcountry’s irreplaceable landscapes and waterways. Join us on August 26 at The Porter Room at Holy City Brewing to be a part of this significant conservation initiative. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://give.lowcountrylandtrust.org/LowcountrySummerSendoff

Cocktails for a Cause
2023-09-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Harbour Club at WestEdge, 22 WestEdge Street, Unit 700, Charleston, SC, 29403, United States
Lowcountry Land Trust is excited to be featured by The Harbour Club at WestEdge for its monthly Cocktails for a Cause event on Tuesday, September 12, from 6 to 8 pm. This social event promises to be an unforgettable experience, combining exquisite libations, engaging conversation, and thought-provoking programming. The event will bring together like-minded individuals who share a passion for ensuring that the soul of the Lowcountry—its renowned landscapes, vibrant waterways, diverse ecosystems, and thriving communities—are safeguarded in perpetuity. For more information and to purchase tickets ($20), please visit https://give.lowcountrylandtrust.org/2023cocktailsforacause.
Conservation trivia bingo will be the highlight of the evening, testing guests’ knowledge of the region’s flora, fauna, and conserved landscapes and waterways. Prizes will be awarded, delectable hors d’oeuvres will be served, and expertly crafted cocktails will be available for purchase at the bar.
Proceeds from Cocktails for a Cause will directly benefit Lowcountry Land Trust’s ongoing conservation efforts. By attending this event, patrons will not only enjoy an engaging cocktail hour but also make a meaningful contribution to the protection of beloved Lowcountry landscapes and waterways. For more information and to purchase tickets ($20), please visit https://give.lowcountrylandtrust.org/2023cocktailsforacause.

Clays Shooting 101 Workshop
2023-09-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Kiawah Island Sporting Club, 3345 Bohicket Rd, Johns Island, SC, 29455, United States
This event has sold out. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email Bea Girdnt at bgirndt@lowcountrylandtrust.org.
With the anticipation of Lowcountry Land Trust’s upcoming annual Sporting Clays Shoot, we are thrilled to offer a Clays Shooting 101 workshop at the Kiawah Island Sporting Club on Saturday, September 16, from 10 am to 12 pm. This event provides an introductory shooting experience allowing novice shooters, ages 16 and up, to receive basic clays shooting knowledge and practice led by certified instructors Demi Howard and David Holliday.
There will be five stands (stations) available from which to shoot, with six unique traps (targets) that vary in difficulty. At each stand, participants will individually shoot traps with one-on-one instruction from certified instructors. Guns and ammunition will be provided if needed. In addition, participants of the Clays Shooting 101 workshop will have the exclusive opportunity to shoot at the private Kiawah Island Sporting Club after the event for a fee.
By attending this event, participants will learn the importance of this traditional Lowcountry sport and the basics of shooting clays in order to be better prepared for the 2023 Sporting Clays Shoot tournament/fundraiser on October 27-29.
This event has sold out. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email Bea Girdnt at bgirndt@lowcountrylandtrust.org.

Award-Winning Tree Farm Tour
2023-10-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Bailey Mill Plantation, 1592 Bailey Mill Road, Ridgeland, SC, 29936, United States
Get outside and connect with the land trusts across the state during the South Carolina Land Trust Network’s Land Trust Days in early October. In this second annual celebration of South Carolina’s special places, local land trusts are uniting to help residents connect to the land and the people who work to protect it.
Lowcountry Land Trust Board Trustee Jim Porter and his wife Pam invite you to tour their award-winning tree farm at Bailey Mill Plantation in Ridgeland, SC, on October 6, 2023.
The Porters, SCLTN, Lowcountry Land Trust, Ducks Unlimited, Open Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and Open Space Institute have organized a program that features dynamic conversation and a comprehensive tour of the 2920-acre tree farm, half of which is protected via a conservation easement held by Lowcountry Land Trust. We’ll touch on the value of conservation easements in protecting our state’s natural resources, managing bottomland hardwoods for songbird habitat, and the benefits of growing longleaf pine.
Friday, October 6, 2023 from 9 am-12 pm
Bailey Mill Plantation
1592 Bailey Mill Road, Ridgeland, SC 29936
$10: Please register by clicking here.
The Porters look forward to sharing their passion for sustainable forestry, wildlife cultivation, and conserving precious land for future generations with you.

2023 Sporting Clays Shoot
2023-10-27 - 2023-10-29 | Brosnan Forest, Dorchester County, SC, United States
The 2023 Sporting Clays Shoot presented by Norfolk Southern will take place at Brosnan Forest once again! Garden & Gun is a national media partner of the 2023 Sporting Clays Shoot.
Beginning on Friday, October 27, the Inaugural Ladies’ Shoot and Lunch presented by Garden & Gun will feature instruction and warm-up on the five stand followed by a 100-target sporting clays tournament beneath towering longleaf pines. Following the shoot, guests are invited to attend a catered lunch with dessert and post-shoot cocktails featuring programming from wellness expert Dr. Ann Kulze and Suzette Bussey of Norton & Hodges.
On Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29, guests will join us for one of four rotations on the breathtaking, 14-station course. Each squad may include up to 4 people. Thank you to David Holliday and Demi Howard of the Fourth Thursday Shooting Club for your efforts to create a one-of-a-kind clays course that highlights the beauty of Brosnan Forest. Winners will be announced for each rotation; trophies will be awarded.
Tickets to each rotation include a catered lunch, post-shoot cocktails, live music, and social experiences such as our bourbon and cigar lounge, fly fishing demonstrations, local vendor market, and weekend-long silent auction.
Lunch tickets are also available for purchase. We encourage non-shooters to join us for astonishing views and long-established Lowcountry activities, emphasizing the importance of conservation in our coastal ecosystem.
Tickets go on sale September 15 and are expected to sell out. Purchase tickets here: https://give.lowcountrylandtrust.org/event/2023-sporting-clays-shoot/e502912

Longleaf Society Holiday Party
2023-12-05 17:30 - 20:00
Please save the date for our Annual Longleaf Society Holiday Party! More details will be emailed to members as the date approaches.
Membership in our Longleaf Society is for generous donors who give $2,500 or more during a calendar year. Benefits include early access to event registration, exclusive nature outings and happy hours, and the latest updates on all of our conservation wins. If you’re a Longleaf Society member, be on the lookout for more information about this event from our team. If you’re not yet a member, you can increase your annual giving to Lowcountry Land Trust by clicking here.

At Capacity - Wire Reef Build Volunteer Opportunity
2024-01-18 09:00 - 12:00 | SCDNR Fort Johnson, 217 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412
The restoration of local oyster reefs and Lowcountry Land Trust’s land protection efforts are interconnected in their shared goal of preserving and enhancing coastal ecosystems. As part of Lowcountry Land Trust’s community outreach program, Soul of the Lowcountry, we invite you to join us in January for an oyster wire reef build volunteer opportunity (Thurs, January 18) and family-friendly oyster roast (Sun, January 21)!
Oyster Wire Reef Build Volunteer Opportunity
Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 9 am to 12 pm
SCDNR | 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412
Click here to register.
Family-Friendly Oyster Roast
Sunday, January 21, 2024, from 2 pm to 5 pm
Gold Bug Island | 1560 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Click here to purchase tickets.
In 1996, Lowcountry Land Trust permanently protected Gold Bug Island by placing a conservation easement on the 29-acre parcel of both highlands and wetlands. Named after the short story by Edgar Allen Poe, Gold Bug Island sits between Mount Pleasant and Sullivans along Ben Sawyer Blvd and is owned by the East Cooper Outboard Motor Club.
Guests of the family-friendly oyster roast will enjoy a Sunday afternoon on Gold Bug Island, shucking fresh South Carolina oysters paired with homemade chili, salad, cornbread, and cobbler, socializing with other Lowcountry-loving locals while sipping bloody marys, mimosas, beer, wine, sweet tea, and lemonade, and listening to bluegrass music from the Charleston-based band, Dallas Baker and Friends. Hot dogs and a variety of activities will be available for children.
Volunteer the week before the oyster roast, helping Lowcountry Land Trust, SCDNR, and volunteers from Greystar recycle shells and build wire reef cages that support new habitats for juvenile oysters. Restaurants and the public recycle their oyster shells through SCDNR’s oyster shell recycling drop-off sites. Volunteers will shape the wire into small cages using power tools (experience not necessary) and add recycled oyster shells inside. These reefs will be used for SCDNR’s oyster reef restoration projects next year! Spat (baby oysters) are attracted to and settle on the shell in these wire cages, creating new oyster growth and, eventually, new reefs. Click here to register.
Both events will allow guests to learn about the region’s oyster habitat and how proper shell recycling benefits water quality and the Lowcountry’s diverse ecosystems.

Sold Out - Soul of the Lowcountry Oyster Roast
2024-01-21 14:00 - 17:00 | Gold Bug Island, 1560 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464, United States

Sold Out - SCHBC Happy Hour Highlight
2024-02-07 16:00 - 18:00
The South Carolina Healthy Business Challenge invites you to join us for the inaugural event in our “Happy Hour Highlights” series hosted in partnership with the Lowcountry Land Trust‘s Business Leadership Council, featuring bestselling author, physician, and wellness expert, Dr. Ann Kulze on February 7 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Alhambra Hall.
About the Event:
Nourish your mind while you network as we gather for a ‘Happy Hour Highlight’ event featuring Dr. Ann Kulze, a physician, renowned wellness expert, and bestselling author.
In this interactive session, Dr. Ann will share the many ways a dose of Mother Nature triggers a multitude of powerful physiologic changes that can enhance well-being and reduce the risk of a startling range of diseases. Whether your goals are to reset the stress button, kick-start creativity, boost immunity, reduce cancer risk, or practically anything else, “greening” may be the safest and most effective “medicine” of all!
Attendees will enjoy nourishing light bites and refreshments while having the opportunity to learn, network, and engage in a Q & A session with Dr. Ann and Community Business Spotlight, Heritage Sustainable Solutions.
About Our Speaker:
Dr. Ann Kulze is a trailblazer in the field of health and wellness, known for her empowering approach to living a vibrant and balanced life. Through her engaging and informative presentation, she will share practical tips and evidence-based strategies to enhance your wellbeing.
Please note: This is a FREE event sponsored by the SC Healthy Business Challenge and the Lowcountry Land Trust open to all members of the community! Please click here to register.

Angel Oak Preserve Clean-Up
2024-02-21 10:00 - 12:00
Save the date for our next clean-up at Angel Oak Preserve on February 21 from 10 am to 12 pm. Register here.

Longleaf Society Conservation Reception
2024-03-03 13:00 - 15:00
Please save the date for our Annual Longleaf Society Conservation Reception! More details will be emailed to members as the date approaches.
Membership in our Longleaf Society is for generous donors who give $2,500 or more during a calendar year. Benefits include early access to event registration, exclusive nature outings and happy hours, and the latest updates on all of our conservation wins. If you’re a Longleaf Society member, be on the lookout for more information about this event from our team. If you’re not yet a member, you can increase your annual giving to Lowcountry Land Trust by clicking here.

Angel Oak Preserve Clean-Up
2024-03-13 10:00 - 12:00
Save the date for our next clean-up at Angel Oak Preserve on March 13 from 10 am to 12 pm. Register here.

2024 Annual Spring Gathering
2024-04-13 11:00 - 15:00 | Stevens Family Farm, Wadmalaw Island
Lowcountry Land Trust’s annual Spring Gathering, presented by Wells Fargo Advisors, will occur on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Stevens Family Farm on Wadmalaw Island. Situated on 396 acres protected by a Lowcountry Land Trust conservation easement, guests will enjoy a family-friendly, all-inclusive event highlighting the waterfront landscape.
Tickets are all-inclusive – $85 for adults and $25 for children under 12. Guests will enjoy delicious Lowcountry fare from Marvin Ross of Peculiar Pig Farm, local drinks, and bluegrass music. During the event, family-friendly activities such as hay rides, fishing demonstrations, and farm animal petting will occur. A silent auction featuring local products and experiences will also be a part of the homegrown gathering.
A limited number of tickets are available for this event. All tickets must be purchased in advance and are non-refundable. The event is rain or shine. This event will take place outdoors and under a tent. Handicap parking will be available. While we love your furry friends, please leave pets at home.

Lowcountry Earth Week
2024-04-22 - 2024-04-28
Back by popular demand for the second year, Lowcountry Land Trust will partner with over 50 local, conservation-minded organizations to continue its Lowcountry Earth Week initiative in 2024. This week-long celebration of the Lowcountry’s natural environment (April 22-28) is set to feature a diverse array of volunteer opportunities, nature activities, seminars, workshops, and festivals. The initiative aims to engage the community and raise awareness about the importance of the many methods of conservation in the Lowcountry. The grand culmination will be a family-friendly Earth Week celebration and exhibition at Holy City Brewing in North Charleston, SC on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 11 am to 3 pm.

Lowcountry Earth Week, scheduled from April 22-28, 2024, is poised to be a momentous occasion, bringing together individuals, organizations, and communities in a collective effort to celebrate and protect the region’s natural wonders. A complete listing of events that provide an opportunity for everyone to find their own way to connect with and contribute to the Soul of the Lowcountry can be found at www.lowcountryearthweek.org.

Common Ground Screening and Discussion
2024-04-23 17:30 - 20:00
“Common Ground is the highly anticipated sequel to the juggernaut success documentary, Kiss the Ground, which touched over 1 billion people globally and inspired the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to put $20 billion toward soil health.”
This documentary will be shown for our community at the MUSC Drug Discovery Building, along with a 45 minute conversation to bring the focus to our local grounds.

Come learn more about how to integrate regenerative farming techniques into your own farms, backyards, community gardens, and beyond. Or just come to find hope. We can do this

This screening is a part of Lowcountry Earth Week. Check out other events happening around town!

Common Ground Documentary Screening & Conversation

Tuesday, April 23, 5:30-8:00 pm
MUSC Drug Discovery Building, Downtown Charleston
Suggestion donation of $10
Parking in Jonathan Lucas Parking Garage – vouchers will be given at lecture for free parking.

Event partners:

Event Sponsor:

Painting At The Angel Oak
2024-04-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Angel Oak Preserve, 3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island, SC, 29455, United States
Community members are invited to put their artistic abilities to the test at this first-ever Painting at the Angel Oak. Facilitated by local artist Frank DeLoach, attendees of all levels are encouraged to put their spin on the beautiful masterpiece – The Angel Oak.
All supplies will be provided, including a canvas, paint, and paintbrushes. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own art supplies.
Reusable water bottles, folding chairs, bug spray, and sunscreen are all recommended.

Registration Full: Alge Island Kayak Clean-Up
2024-04-26 10:00 - 13:00
Community members are invited to explore and clean up Alge Island, a property once threatened by development that led to the organization of Lowcountry Land Trust in 1986.
The kayak clean-up will occur on Friday, April 26, at 418 Owen Street, Charleston, SC 29414 (West Ashley). It will begin promptly at 10 am, and registration is required. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. Please dress weather-appropriate and bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Earth Week Celebration at Holy City Brewing
2024-04-28 11:00 - 15:00 | Holy City Brewing, 1021 Aragon Ave, North Charleston, South Carolina, 29405
Celebrate the end of earth week with all partners of Lowcountry Earth Week through this family-friendly tabling event at Holy City Brewing. This event is open to the public and does not require registration.

In Conversation with Dr. Fields-Black on “COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War"
2024-05-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Charleston Library Society, 164 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401
The Charleston Library Society and Buxton Books, along with community partners Lowcountry Land Trust, Avery Institute, and the SC Historical Society, are honored to host renowned author and historian Dr. Edda Fields-Black in conversation to discuss her most recent publication, COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War. In her book, Dr. Fields-Black dives into the story of the Combahee River Raid, one of Harriet Tubman’s most extraordinary accomplishments, based on original documents written by a descendant of one of the participants. Helping to shape the conversation will be the Chief Conservation Officer of Lowcountry Land Trust, David Ray.
Tickets: Purchase Here
$50 – CLS Members or $55 – General Admission
$60 – Limited Option // 2 Tickets and 1 signed copy of COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War
About the Book:
Many biographies, children’s books, and films about Harriet Tubman omit a crucial chapter: during the Civil War, hired by the Union Army, she ventured into the heart of slave territory–Beaufort, South Carolina–to live, work, and gather intelligence for a daring raid up the Combahee River to attack the major plantations of Rice Country, the breadbasket of the Confederacy.
In COMBEE, Edda L. Fields-Black–herself a descendant of one of the participants in the raid–shows how Tubman commanded a ring of spies, scouts, and pilots and participated in military expeditions behind Confederate lines. On June 2, 1863, Tubman and her crew led two regiments of Black US Army soldiers – the Second South Carolina Volunteers – alone with their white commanders up coastal South Carolina’s Combahee River in three gunboats. In a matter of hours, they torched eight rice plantations and liberated 730 people, people whose Lowcountry Creole language and culture Tubman could barely understand. The Second South Carolina Volunteers included a core group of black men who had liberated themselves from bondage on South Carolina’s Sea Island cotton plantations after the Battle of Port Royal in November 1861. In recounting this history, Fields-Black also brings to life intergenerational, extended enslaved families, neighbors, praise-house members, and sweethearts forced to work in South Carolina’s deadly tidal rice swamps, sold, and separated during the antebellum period. These formerly enslaved peoples of the Sea Island indigo and cotton plantations come together with the semi-urban port cities of Charleston, Beaufort, and Savannah, and the rice plantations of the coastal plains, creating the distinctly American Gullah Geechee dialect, culture, and identity–perhaps the most significant legacy of Harriet Tubman’s Combahee River Raid.
About Dr. Edda Fields-Black:
Edda Fields-Black teaches history at Carnegie Mellon University and has written extensively about the history of West African rice farmers, including in such works as Deep Roots: Rice Farmers in West Africa and the African Diaspora. She was a co-editor of Rice: Global Networks and New Histories, which was selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title. Fields-Black has served as a consultant for the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture’s permanent exhibit, “Rice Fields of the Lowcountry.” She is the executive producer and librettist of “Unburied, Unmourned, Unmarked: Requiem for Rice,” a widely performed original contemporary classical work by celebrated composer John Wineglass.
Fields-Black is a descendant of Africans enslaved on rice plantations in Colleton County, South Carolina; her great-great-great grandfather fought in the Combahee River Raid in June 1863. Her determination to illuminate the riches of the Gullah dialect, and to reclaim Gullah Geechee history and culture, has taken her to the rice fields of South Carolina and Georgia to those of Sierra Leone and Republic of Guinea in West Africa.
About David Ray:
David Ray is Lowcountry Land Trust’s Chief Conservation Officer. His team protects land and water in South Carolina’s coastal plain using traditional and innovative tools and funding. They steward a wide variety of conservation interests and works with communities to preserve places of natural resource, recreational, and cultural significance. Previously an attorney in government, large firms, and academic settings. He became Lands Program Director for the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in 2002. Subsequently, he managed conservation planning and grant-making programs at the Open Space Institute and has led conservation programs for The Nature Conservancy in the Southern Blue Ridge and Colorado. David holds degrees from Davidson College and the University of Georgia School of Law. During his career, he has played a significant role in over sixty conservation projects on more than 48,500 acres.

Event Partners
Lowcountry Land Trust:
Founded in 1986, Lowcountry Land Trust has worked for 37 years protecting land that makes coastal South Carolina extraordinary and sustains the culture that thrives within it. Operating in seventeen coastal counties, Lowcountry Land Trust has grown from a small community effort that rallied to protect an island on the Stono River to an institution that protects more than 150,000 acres. Protecting and maintaining our natural resources by avoiding overdevelopment is crucial to the continued enjoyment of the Lowcountry for generations to come. In addition to Lowcountry Land Trust’s conservation easements held and privately owned lands, LLT owns and protects publicly-accessible properties that are in direct harmony with the culture and values of the Lowcountry. These ambassador sites emphasize the importance of regional lands and showcase examples of conservation to the community.
Avery Research Center:
Founded in 1865 as the Avery Normal Institute, this community hub provided education and advocacy for the growing Charleston African American community and trained blacks for professional careers and leadership roles. Although the Institute closed its doors in 1954, it graduates preserved the legacy of their alma mater by establishing the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture. The modern rebirth of Avery began in 1985 with the establishment of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston. The newly christened center came to fruition through a memorandum of understanding between the former Avery Institute and the College, with many of the charter members graduates of the original Avery Normal Institute. For the last thirty years, the Avery Research Center has collected art and archival materials that document the history, traditions, and legacies of African Americans and their influence on American society and culture, as well as their place within the American narrative.
South Carolina Historical Society:
With 350 years of state history comprised of rare books, manuscripts, and visual materials, the South Carolina Historical Society is the state’s largest and oldest private archive as well as a modern historical museum. Founded in 1855, the organization’s preservation, exploration, and interpretation of the state’s historical legacy continues to benefit generations of learners. Its mission is “to expand, preserve and make accessible our collection; to improve knowledge of and encourage focus, interest and pride in the history of our state.”
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina:
Coastal Community Foundation works to create communities rich in equity, opportunity, and well-being by uniting people and investing resources so that all community members have a pathway to achieve their goals. Through endowment funds established by individuals, families, businesses and organizations, our combined resources allow us to not only address community needs today, but help us chart a course for a brighter future in the nine counties we serve along South Carolina’s coast. With our donors, we invest millions of dollars through grantmaking, impact investing and scholarships each year. We are also known for understanding and acting upon the dynamic needs of the communities we serve, with recent examples including our disaster response efforts during and after major storms such as Hurricane Florence, and the creation of the Lowcountry Unity Fund in the wake of the Mother Emanuel AME Church massacre to support causes addressing systemic racism.

Pollinator Palooza
2024-06-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Magnolia Park and Community Garden, 720 Magnolia Rd, Charleston, SC, 29407, United States
Have you heard the buzz about pollinators? In honor of National Pollinator Week, join Lowcountry Land Trust, Charleston Parks Conservancy, SC Wildlife Federation, Bee City Charleston, Charleston Area Beekeepers Association, and Roots & Shoots Nursery for a day of unbeelievable outdoor fun at Magnolia Park and Community Garden.

Swing by this family-friendly event anytime between 10 am and 2 pm to learn about the many benefits of pollinators and the native plants that attract them. King of Pops will also be serving up cold popsicle treats. You can find more details about the event activities and organizations involved below.

This is a family-friendly, free palooza! We kindly request advance registration. Please click here to register: https://give.lowcountrylandtrust.org/…/2024…/e588927

Preservation Through Art - Charleston
2024-07-19 17:00 - 19:00 | City Gallery, 34 Prioleau Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29401
Preserving A Picturesque America is bringing its “Preservation Through Art” experience to Charleston, featuring Lowcountry Land Trust as one of its community partners to support the organization’s work of conserving the natural and historic Lowcountry landscapes.
The “Preservation Through Art—Charleston” exhibition will be held from July 19 through September 8 at the City Gallery, 34 Prioleau Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
You are invited to the opening night reception on July 19, from 5 to 7 pm at the City Gallery. No RSVP is necessary; just drop in and enjoy the art exhibition.
This unique “then and now” exhibition aims to raise awareness for local preservation and conservation efforts. The non-profit organization Preserving A Picturesque America (PAPA) will conduct an art sale to benefit Lowcountry Land Trust and other local partners in the Charleston area whose focus is preserving Charleston’s natural, cultural, and historic landscape.
For the “Preservation Through Art: Charleston” Exhibition and Sale, over forty artists have contributed exciting new artworks in a variety of mediums depicting scenes from Picturesque America in and around Charleston, like this watercolor by Giselle Harrington, titled “Rutledge Avenue.” These artists hope to motivate viewers to protect these iconic treasures by revealing how these natural and cultural landscapes appear today.
We hope to see you at the opening reception!

Oyster Reef Build
2024-07-30 08:30 - 11:30 | Remley’s Point Public Boat Landing, 112 2nd St, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464, United States
Advanced Registration Required: Register Here
We’re looking for 20 volunteers ages 16+ to join us on Tuesday, July 30, from 8:30 to 11:30 am to build an oyster reef along the banks of the Cooper River.
Volunteers will meet representatives from Lowcountry Land Trust and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) at Remley’s Point Public Boat Landing in Mount Pleasant, where they will work together to load bags of oyster shells into SCDNR boats.
Lowcountry Land Trust and SCDNR will then boat the volunteers and oyster shells to a designated location along the banks of the Cooper River, where volunteers will create an assembly line to place the oyster shell bags into a reef formation.
Afterward, all volunteers will return on the boat to Remley’s Point Public Boat Landing.
All volunteers will be required to sign Lowcountry Land Trust and SCDNR waivers before partaking in physical activities. Expect to lift and carry 20-40 pound bags of oyster shells while standing in pluff mud. Reef builds are a blast, but they are labor intensive.
Gloves, arm protection, sunscreen, bug spray, and a water refill station will be provided. Please bring a reusable water bottle. We recommend wearing closed-toed shoes that can get muddy (no sandals), shorts, a long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses, and hats.

Sip and Shop for Conservation at Rivers and Glen Trading Co.
2024-08-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Rivers & Glen Trading Co., 122 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC, 29464, United States
Join us for a Sip and Shop at Rivers & Glen Trading Co. on August 14th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM to prepare for hunting and clays shooting season while supporting Lowcountry Land Trust.
Enjoy live music, light refreshments, and the opportunity to learn about Lowcountry Land Trust’s important land conservation work while shopping Rivers & Glen’s supply of outdoor clothes and sporting gear.
A percentage of the evening’s sales will support Lowcountry Land Trust.

Clays Shooting 101 sponsored by Norton & Hodges
2024-09-11 10:00 - 15:00 | Kiawah Island Sporting Club, 3345 Bohicket Rd, Johns Island, SC, 29455, United States
Sign up for an upcoming Clays Shooting 101 session, sponsored by Norton & Hodges, for the opportunity to learn from expert Elizabeth Fennell and familiarize yourself with the sport before our annual Clays Shoot on the weekend of October 25-27. This event is ladies only, with space for six women per session. Ammo, gun, and instruction will be included in each purchased ticket.
Register for one of the upcoming sessions at Kiawah Island Sporting Club on Wednesday, September 11, from 10 am – 12 pm or 1 pm – 3 pm. Click here to register!

Clays Shooting 101 Sponsored By Norton & Hodges
2024-10-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Kiawah Island Sporting Club, 3345 Bohicket Rd, Johns Island, SC, 29455, United States
Sign up for an upcoming Clays Shooting 101 session, sponsored by Norton & Hodges, for the opportunity to learn from expert Elizabeth Fennell and familiarize yourself with the sport before our annual Clays Shoot on the weekend of October 25-27. This event is ladies only, with space for six women per session. Ammo, gun, and instruction will be included in each purchased ticket.
Register for one of the upcoming sessions at Kiawah Island Sporting Club on Thursday, October 2, from 10 am – 12 pm or 1 pm – 3 pm. Click here to register!

Yoga at the Angel Oak
2024-10-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Angel Oak Preserve, 3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island, SC, 29455, United States
At this unique event, guests will experience the connection between nature and wellness under the majestic, centuries-old Angel Oak tree. Popular Johns Island yoga instructor Lauren Frye will lead the group, incorporating a blend of breath and movement into the rejuvenating, hour-long session. Beginners are welcome to attend, as modifications for more complex poses will be demonstrated.
Date: October 9th, 2024
Time: 10 am – 11 am
Location: Angel Oak Park; 3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC
Due to limited space, we kindly request advance registration. This event is free, but donations are welcome. Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. If inclement weather occurs, the event will be rescheduled.

2024 Sporting Clays Shoot
2024-10-25 08:30 - 2024-10-27 16:30 | Brosnan Forest, Dorchester County, SC, United States
We’re excited to share that Lowcountry Land Trust’s annual Sporting Clays Shoot will occur at Brosnan Forest from October 25 to 27, 2024! Fuel your soul at this gorgeous private property just 45 minutes from downtown Charleston.
Tickets to each rotation, including the second annual Ladies Shoot & Lunch presented by Garden & Gun, are $225 and include a catered lunch, dessert, post-shoot cocktails, live music, and social experiences such as a local vendor market and a weekend-long silent auction. Lunch-only tickets are also available for purchase for $55-80.
Tickets ARE NOW ON SALE and are expected to sell out quickly.

Birding at Stono Preserve
2024-11-12 09:00 - 10:30 | Stono Preserve, 5300 Dixie Plantation Rd, Hollywood, SC, 29449, United States
Join us for a delightful morning immersed in nature on our “Feathered Friends Walk” at the Stono Preserve! This guided bird walk will take you through the preserve’s lush habitats, offering a unique opportunity to observe and learn about the diverse avian species that call this area home.
The walk will be led by Nicole Marie Pettinelli of the Charleston Bird Club and Melissa Hughes, Professor of Ornithology and Associate Chair of the Department of Biology at the College of Charleston. We’ll walk a portion of the main nature trail, allowing us to explore various habitats, from wetlands to woodlands. There will be opportunities to spot common and rare species and advance your birding skills as we make frequent stops. This event is suitable for amateur and experienced birders.
Date: November 12, 2024
Time: 9 am – 10:30 am
Location: Stono Preserve; 5300 Dixie Plantation Rd. Hollywood, SC 29449
Directions: After arriving at the first gate, you will keep driving to the next gate on the left (gate 4). We will then all meet at the barn.
Advance registration is required. Please plan to bring binoculars and a water bottle. Comfortable walking shoes and long pants are highly recommended. This event is free, but donations are welcome. If inclement weather occurs, the event will be rescheduled.
More Information About Stono Preserve
The College of Charleston at Stono Preserve is a majestic 981-acre property along the Stono River and the Intercoastal Waterway. The myriad ecosystems include long-leaf pine forests, wetlands, savannahs, tidal marshes, and brackish, saltwater, and fresh-water ponds.
Stono Preserve enables the College of Charleston to educate its students in an unparalleled natural setting, inspire collaboration across campus, industry, and governmental agencies, and prepare students and faculty to be leaders in today’s environmentally volatile global society. In collaboration with the Lowcountry Land Trust, the College of Charleston is embarking on a strategic, comprehensive plan to restore Stono Preserve to its original purpose as a “conservationist’s classroom.” Native, diverse ecosystems will be restored and maintained to provide experiential learning for College students and faculty. With the “light on the land” minimalist support facilities in place, Stono Preserve will become an urban refuge for those interested in and appreciative of the natural world around us.
