This year, the ACE Basin Task Force celebrates 35 years of extraordinary conservation success, safeguarding one of the most ecologically and culturally significant regions in the world. Named for the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers, the ACE Basin spans Charleston, Colleton, Beaufort, Dorchester, and Hampton Counties, encompassing over 300,000 acres of protected lands. This achievement is a testament to visionary leadership, enduring partnerships, and the unwavering dedication of private landowners.
The Roots of the ACE Basin Project
In the 1980s, a rural sea island faced an unfamiliar, daunting threat of waterfront development on a historically and ecologically significant tract of land on the Edisto River. The scale and scope of the proposed development on Edisto Island was unlike anything the island had seen before. This urgent “wake-up call” inspired a movement among a collaborative group of private landowners, wildlife agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Conservation visionaries Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley (private landowners), Charles Lane (private landowner), Dana Beach (SC Coastal Conservation League), LaBruce Alexander (The Nature Conservancy), Coy Johnston (Ducks Unlimited), and John Frampton (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) quickly realized the need for a public-private partnership to save one of the East Coast’s greatest natural treasures and its remarkable way of life. From this, the ACE Basin Project was born.
The initiative adopted a watershed and habitat-based approach to land conservation, blending public land acquisitions with private conservation easements. This strategy leveraged partnerships between federal, state, and private entities—a groundbreaking model at the time that has become nationally recognized. It also coincided with implementing the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, which prioritized critical habitats for migratory waterfowl and provided a framework for conservation initiatives to emerge along the flyway. This alignment designated the ACE Basin as one of South Carolina’s five coastal conservation focus areas.
John Frampton and Coy Johnston’s unrelenting advocacy and engagement with Senator Earnest “Fritz” Hollings and Senator Strom Thurmond were instrumental in enrolling significant support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, introducing a federal agency to the growing partnership. This effort led to TNC purchasing 2,000 acres of land to establish the Edisto Unit of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. The group’s unwavering spirit, leadership, and entrepreneurialism set the tone for a culture of trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.
Early Conservation Successes
The ACE Basin’s conservation journey began with the acquisition of Springfield Marsh and the donation of Sampson Island, both of which were conveyed to SCDNR for inclusion in the Bear Island Wildlife Management Area. Meanwhile, conservation easements were emerging as a tool for private landowners, complementing the myriad public land acquisitions. Botany Bay Island, the first easement protected by TNC, was followed by protecting conservationist Ted Turner’s Hope Plantation and its historic rice fields. Soon thereafter, 9,200-acre Mary’s Island was protected by Ducks Unlimited and SCDNR through a multi-faceted approach and later became what is now known as the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, aptly named for Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley.
These and other early successes demonstrated the power of public-private partnerships and provided a solid foundation for decades of continued land protection efforts. Given that the ACE Basin was and still is predominantly in private ownership, conservation easements have been a critical tool to protect land forever. Word-of-mouth among landowners helped accelerate the pace of protection, fostering a growing network of committed stewards.
Expanding Partnerships
By 1998, the ACE Basin Task Force had grown to include Mead-Westvaco Corporation, Lowcountry Land Trust, and Nemours Wildlife Foundation. Organizations such as the Beaufort and Edisto Island Open Land Trusts and the Open Space Institute later joined the coalition. This expansion solidified the ACE Basin’s reputation as a world-class conservation area and a model for public-private partnerships.
The Culture of the Task Force
The ACE Basin Task Force’s unique culture has been a cornerstone of its success. Meetings then and now are held at various conservation institutions, accompanied by quintessential Lowcountry meals that encourage fellowship. While well-organized and efficient, the meetings have an unconventional system of no minute-taking, open and candid dialogue, transparency, and occasional jokes. Folks leave each meeting knowing that the work goes on with focus and the same sense of entrepreneurialism that started the Task Force all those years ago.
Milestones Worth Celebrating
The ACE Basin Project’s anniversaries are moments to reflect on the Task Force’s achievements and thank the landowners who make land conservation possible. Early anniversaries, such as the 20th and 25th, were opportunities to celebrate progress and engage new partners. By the 30th anniversary, the Task Force’s ambitious goal of protecting 300,000 acres had been achieved—a milestone that underscored the collective power of collaboration.
This 35th anniversary is another moment to honor the past while looking to the future. Today, many original leaders, including Charles Lane, Mike McShane, and Coy Johnston, facilitate the Task Force while raising the next generation of conservationists across the private landowner community, nonprofit organizations, and natural resource agencies. The organic leadership succession allows the Task Force to continue to adapt and innovate, ensuring the ACE Basin remains vibrant for generations to come.
A Legacy for the Future
The ACE Basin Project is more than a conservation success story. It is a testament to what visionary leadership, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to protecting the places we love can achieve. Lowcountry Land Trust is proud to be part of this enduring legacy and looks forward to the next chapter of conservation in the ACE Basin.
Here’s to the leaders, landowners, and partners who made 35 years of success possible—and to the many more years of conservation ahead.
Feature Image: Mallard Tract, Credit Jon Engle, Green Eyes Aero
