The Ebb & Flow BLOG

Our Story

Ours is a story of how one person’s passion can inspire an entire community to build a lasting legacy.  

On July 8th, 1984, Bill Alge held a meeting on the dock at his Parkdale, West Ashley home for his friends and neighbors. There, he made the following proposition: The 19-acre island across the creek from their houses was for sale, and the neighbors should all pitch in to buy it.  

And so, a legacy of community conservation was born. 

A little over a year after the initial meeting, Bill Alge and his neighbors were officially granted 501(c)(3) status and the Lowcountry Open Land Trust was created. 

Those neighbors who came together on Bill Alge’s dock believed they were protecting an unobstructed viewshed—an island sanctuary they enjoyed with their families. In reality, they accomplished so much more. 

Those neighbors, everyday folks just like you and me, didn’t just protect a beautiful place—they built the Lowcountry Land Trust—the organization you support today. The organization that works with more than 500 landowners to protect 142,000 acres of Lowcountry land in 17 coastal counties in perpetuity. 142,000 acres that you helped protect, forever.

At Lowcountry Land Trust, our roots are in community conservation. And your roots are right here, with us, in the Lowcountry. 

In 1984 Bill Alge and his Parkdale neighbors showed this region just how much passion and drive can accomplish for the good of the community. Today, we’re asking you to put your passion to work. 

By giving a gift to Lowcountry Land Trust, you’re standing up as someone who wants to be part of something bigger—something better—for the future of the Lowcountry. 

By donating today, you’re counting yourself as a passionate believer in the power of one person to change a community for the better. 

Your donation is more than a gift to a good cause. It’s your commitment to continuing a legacy that values clean water, quality air, healthy wildlife habitats, open spaces, and yes, beautiful viewsheds.  

There is more work to be done. The growth pressures the Lowcountry is experiencing right now is unprecedented. Without the support of people like you, clean water, thriving wildlife habitats and healthy air quality will remain under siege.  

Please put your passion to work today by making a year-end gift to Lowcountry Land Trust. Together, we can accomplish even more for this region we love. 

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