The Ebb & Flow BLOG

The Ebb & Flow: October

Dear Friends,

It’s finally starting to feel like a new season in the Lowcountry, and the slight change in the weather beckons us to deepen our connection to the outdoors. When we think of autumn, we often think of oyster harvesting, hunting, and a whole new season of opportunities to get out and enjoy the lands that provide so much to us. 

As we count the ways that the bounty of the Lowcountry supports our way of life, I feel so fortunate for the rich natural and agricultural presence of the region. Not only does the land and water sustain our bodies through its many foodways, it also nourishes our minds and souls alike through its ever-present beauty. 

Earlier this month, LLT was part of a multi-organization effort to protect a piece of land in the Ashley River Historic District. As I walked the property, known as The Oaks, I experienced just that—I felt inspired and galvanized in our mission as I wandered this breathtaking landscape. It reminded me how important it is to get out and share first-hand the benefits of our work. 

With that in mind, I would like to personally invite you to join us on November 13th and 14th as we bring back our annual Sporting Clays Shoot. We are delighted to host the shoot again at a protected property in Green Pond after a necessary pause of events last year. It’s a beautiful opportunity to engage in a fun, recreational activity reminiscent of early 1900’s sporting and enjoy a privately protected property in the ACE Basin. Shooting tickets are sold out for Saturday, but we still have plenty of lunch tickets available. 

There is no better way to convey the importance of conservation than to offer this kind of experience and honor the people who make our work possible; it is our distinct privilege to share the results and public benefits of perpetual conservation with you. Whether attendees would like to participate in the shoot, just come for lunch, or offer their time to volunteer, all will enjoy a bespoke experience that ultimately supports Lowcountry conservation. Please visit our website to learn more and sign up. 

It’s a busy time for us here at LLT as we prepare for the flurry of activity that comes with the end of the calendar year. As we work hard to close our final easement projects of 2021, we hope that you will join us—whether out in the ACE Basin at our Sporting Clays Shoot–by making a gift to support our vital efforts to protect the lands we love. However you choose to deepen your connection to the lands and waters around you, please never take the Lowcountry landscape for granted. It is a threatened resource, and it is ours to protect.

Your biggest fan,

Ashley Demosthenes
President & CEO
Lowcountry Land Trust


 

Why We Conserve: Wildlife & Agriculture

At the Land Trust, we are proud of how our work is in direct harmony with the culture and activity of the Lowcountry. By preserving land we also preserve the integrity of our wildlife, agriculture, and economy. Conservation is a full circle practice and we are lucky to live in a place where the locals understand that need for that all-hands-on-deck kind of effort.

This month, in celebration of the fall season, we spoke with Joe Hamilton; wildlife biologist and founder of the Quality Deer Management Association, and Matt Lee; author, entrepreneur, and all-around Lowcountry foodways expert, about how conservation works in tandem with the efforts of hunters and farmers to nurture the Lowcountry landscape, wildlife, and culture.


Other News

LLT to Host Annual Sporting Clays Shoot: Join us for our Annual Sporting Clays Shoot at White House Plantation, a protected property in Green Pond, SC. On Saturday, November 13, and Sunday, November 14, guests will enjoy a professionally set clays course (courtesy of the Fourth Thursday Club) highlighting the scenic landscape of the ACE Basin and the Ashepoo River. Experienced and novice shooters are encouraged to attend one of four rotations throughout the weekend. Saturday registration is officially full, but there are still shooting spots open for Sunday. Additionally, non-shooting lunch tickets are available and we are seeking event volunteers. Register or learn more here

LLT Part of Multi-Organization Effort to Protect Land in Ashley River Historic District: LLT, The Open Space Institute, South Carolina Conservation Bank, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, and Dorchester Preservation Trust secured the protection of 204 acres in South Carolina’s Ashley River Historic District. The property, known as The Oaks, has been conveyed to the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust with a conservation easement held by LLT. Read more here

Webinar: Join Clemson Extension for the Women Owning Woodlands Fall Webinar Series. This series runs through the month of November and serves to engage and educate women in stewardship of land by connecting them to resources, trusted professionals, and a community of other women. Register here

Wild Reads: Thank you to everyone who participated in our October Wild Reads meeting where we discussed “The White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett. In November, we will explore “Am I Blue” by Alice Walker. Learn more and sign up here

Drayton Hall Family Day & Bulb Planting: Bring the whole family out to Drayton Hall on Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm for a fun and exciting day of interactive learning activity and bulb planting for spring blooms! Learn more or register here.

Unique Lowcountry Outing and Feast: LLT Board Member, Albert George, founder of Resilience Initiative for Coastal Education (RICE), will be the special guest speaker at the Center of Heirs’ Property Preservation’s 5th Annual Fall Fundraiser “Unique Lowcountry and Outing and Feast” at beautiful McLeod Plantation on James Island, on Saturday, November 20th from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. Learn more or register here.

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