Dear Friends,
As this year comes to a close, we’re still hard at work, and exciting things are happening! Lowcountry Land Trust has recently protected a 22-acre property in McClellanville. This land will be permanently protected after owners, Charles and Frances Geer, opted to grant a conservation easement to LLT. Known as Taylor’s Farm, this Pinckney Street property is in the Santee River Focus Area, one of 12 focus areas in the state identified for wildlife protection and land conservation.
The protection of Taylor’s Farm expands a network of existing privately and publicly protected lands near McClellanville, including the Francis Marion National Forest, the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, and several other conservation easements. With about 615 feet of creek frontage, the protection of Taylor’s Farm promotes scenic viewshed protection, biological diversity, and preservation of downstream water quality. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to provide stewardship for yet another significant property.
In addition to Taylor’s Farm, LLT is on track to protect approximately 1,600 additional acres before the end of December. In the coming weeks, we hope to share more exciting news with you as we continue on our mission to preserve landscapes, natural resources, and water quality for Lowcountry communities.
Best regards,
David Ray
Acting CEO & Chief Conservation Officer
Lowcountry Land Trust
November 2nd: LLT’s Conservation Committee met to discuss upcoming land protection and stewardship projects. As we referenced earlier, Conservation staff are busy closing a number of projects before the end of 2020.
November 3rd: Nathan Moyer, Director of Science and Stewardship, monitored a property on Edisto Island. The end of year is also a busy time for Stewardship staff as they work toward completing all monitoring visits and preparing the final annual reports to send to landowners.
November 4th: David Ray, Acting CEO and Chief Conservation Officer, Bruce Binney, Mid Coast Project Manager, and Board Chair, Scott Wallinger, participated in the monthly Johns Island Task Force, discussing conservation concerns and opportunities on the island with over two dozen citizens, stakeholders, and officials.
November 5th: Ellen Blake, Executive Assistant and Board Liaison, attended “Removing Our Blinders: A White CEOs Personal Journey After George Floyd,” an online session with Carl Humphries, CEO of HopeHealth and a Together SC board member. During this webinar, Mr. Humphries shared his personal journey as a white CEO. Click here to read the full story.
November 6th: Sam Seawell, Stewardship Associate, completed his final monitoring visits of 2020 by visiting two properties in Beaufort and Jasper County. In total, Sam monitored 117 properties this year.
OTHER NEWS
Good News: South Carolina wrapped up the 2020 sea turtle nesting season with about two-thirds more nests than the 10-year average as four decades of conservation work begins to come of age. Read more from The Post & Courier.
[The President’s Log will feature a series of rotating guest writers, including LLT staff and board, as well as friends of Lowcountry Land Trust]
This edition of the Lowcountry Land Trust President’s Log is presented with support from Gilchrist/Bissell Wealth Management of Raymond James. Thank you!
