Header Image: Mary Adkins, Traci Davis, Cassy Salgado, and Diana Reed at the 2025 Spring Gathering; Photo Credit: Justin Falk Photography
When Mary Adkins and Diana Reed first began supporting Lowcountry Land Trust in 2005, their involvement looked much like that of many new supporters: annual gifts, event invitations from friends, and a growing appreciation for the Lowcountry landscape they were just beginning to call home. Nearly two decades later, their relationship with the Land Trust has deepened into something far more personal, rooted in stewardship, leadership, trust, and a profound sense of responsibility to protect what makes this place extraordinary.
Mary and Diana were drawn to the Lowcountry in the early 2000s, initially as visitors from Pennsylvania. Golf outings turned into boat rides through tidal creeks near Bohicket, where they began to experience the region’s quieter beauty. Their connection became more permanent in 2006, when they purchased property in the ACE Basin from longtime conservation champion, donor, and former Lowcountry Land Trust board chair, Tom Hutto, and his wife, Barbara Neale. The farmland, which had previously been at risk of development but was protected by Tom, Barbara, and their neighbors, was a blank slate. Over the years, Mary and Diana built a small dock, shared picnics with family, and eventually created a home.
Living surrounded by conserved land shaped their understanding of what conservation truly means. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” Mary says. From their windows, they see birds, and from their kayaks, fish and crabs. Recently, eight roseate spoonbills appeared in the tree just next door. Mary and Diana believe moments like these reinforce what’s at stake as development inches ever closer. Protecting land, to them, is not abstract. It is immediate, visible, and deeply personal.
Invitations to events from Tom and Barbara led to friendships with staff and fellow supporters, and trust in the organization followed. Over time, Mary and Diana became increasingly impressed not only by the Land Trust’s mission but by how effectively and professionally it operates. “You don’t dedicate your time or make meaningful gifts unless you have real respect for how an organization runs,” Diana notes. That confidence has been central to their growth as supporters.
After retiring, their involvement expanded again, this time through hands-on volunteer work. Since 2023, Mary and Diana have assisted the Land Trust’s stewardship team in conducting annual monitoring visits to conserved properties throughout the ACE Basin. The work has given them a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the landowners who chose conservation easements, and the legacies they hope to preserve. Some properties are vast and historic; others are simple, natural homesteads passed down through generations. What unites them is intention.
These experiences transformed Mary and Diana from supporters into ambassadors. Mary joined Lowcountry Land Trust’s Board of Trustees in 2024, serving on committees and helping guide the organization through a leadership transition and long-term planning. Diana also contributes through committee service, helping shape the future Angel Oak Preserve. Both remark on the depth of talent within the organization, among staff, volunteers, and fellow board members, as well as the inspiration that comes from learning alongside them.
Mary and Diana’s growing confidence and connection have also shaped their philanthropy. In recent years, they increased their giving, including a significant It Can’t Wait campaign gift and consistent annual contributions. One of their favorite recent investments? Funding a new drone for stewardship and communications, an example of how practical investments can amplify impact by improving monitoring, documentation, and storytelling.
For Mary and Diana, giving is about partnership and ensuring that Lowcountry Land Trust has the resources it needs to remain strong, effective, and forward-looking. “We know it’s going to be well used,” Diana says simply. Their journey, from annual members to volunteers, trustees, and major donors, reflects what is possible when people engage deeply with the organization. In supporting the Land Trust’s work today, Mary Adkins and Diana Reed are ensuring that the Lowcountry’s landscapes and waterways endure for generations to come.
