2007 - Lowcountry Open Land Trust
Transcription
2007 - Lowcountry Open Land Trust
2 0 0 7 A n n u a l R e p o r t margaret p. blackmer Lowcountry Open Land Trust Wor k i ng w i t h l a n d o w n e r s t o h e l p s a ve t h e L o w c o u nt r y l a n d s c a pe The Lowcountry Open Land Trust mission is to protect, through private voluntary conservation measures , the irreplaceable Lowcountry forests, farmland, open spaces, wildlife habitat and wetlands, thus helping to preserve forever margaret p. blackmer our community’s unique sense of place and quality of life. Three generations of conservation easement owners holding a longleaf pine cone: father, daughter and twin grandsons. ii Front cover: Longwood Plantation, a protected property on the East Branch of the Cooper River a message from the President and Executive Director It is difficult to adequately express the depth of our gratitude to all the people who combined to make 2007 the most productive year in the history of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust. The pace of land conservation but last year’s volume of 10,561 acres preserved was four times our average annual rate. The landowners who worked with LOLT to voluntarily preserve their land are margaret p. blackmer in the Lowcountry of South Carolina has been steadily rising over the years, the real heroes – the ones who made it happen, and we are grateful we had the opportunity to work with them. We are also appreciative of our individual members and our business and foundation supporters who stepped up their Scott Y. Barnes President, Board of Trustees contributions in 2007, enabling us to increase our operating budget to meet the unprecedented demand for our conservation work and yet still finish the year with a healthy operating surplus. We are pleased to have added four new members to our board of trustees Walters. We also want to express our gratitude to trustees Demi Howard and Frank Brumley, who served the maximum allowable term. Both gave great service to the board, with Demi being president from 2005-2006, and both margaret p. blackmer in February 2007: Jim Boyd, Elise Brown, Hunter McEaddy and Crayton are also easement donors, which we sincerely appreciate. We will miss them greatly. We welcome to the board LOLT’s former executive director Elizabeth Hagood, who joined in February of 2008. Lastly, we would be remiss in not Will Haynie Executive Director acknowledging the remarkable generosity of board member Jan MacDougal, who surpassed the $100,000 personal contribution mark in 2007. Jan is a vital member of our trustees and an inspiration to all members. The article that follows details the remarkable successes of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust in 2007. We again thank all of those who continue to make it possible for us to work with landowners to help save the Lowcountry landscape. 1 2007 Board of Trustees Scott Y. Barnes President * James G. Boyd J. Stuart McDaniel Elise S. Brown T. Hunter McEaddy Margaret P. Blackmer Vice President Frank W. Brumley W. Crayton Walters III Andrew E. Geer III Charles Webb III William L. Hiott Jr. Treasurer John B. Howard J. Rutledge Young Jr. Batson L. Hewitt Jr. Secretary Jan MacDougal Paula L. Kuyk * February 2007 – February 2008 TO M BLAG D E N David Maybank III Left to right: David Maybank, Rutledge Young, Hunter McEaddy, Gene Geer, Sam Hiott, Jan MacDougal, Charley Webb, Stuart McDaniel, Crayton Walters, Scott Barnes, Paula Kuyk, Jim Boyd and Margaret Blackmer. Not pictured: Elise Brown, Frank Brumley, Batson Hewitt and Demi Howard. LOLT Staff Will Haynie Brian Hedden Executive Director Development Associate Nancy DeWitt Tina Edwards Mayland Finance and Administration Director of Development Coordinator Lewis Hay Director of Land Protection Anna Nygaard Director of Stewardship Lisa Wilson Shealy Conservation Planner 2 margaret p. blackmer 3 a n u n f o r g e tt a b l e y e a r The year 2007 was phenomenal for the Lowcountry Open Land Trust. We helped landowners preserve 10,561 acres, which is the most in our 22-year history. Not only was 2007 the biggest year for preserving land, but thanks to our members and supporters, we also raised the second highest amount of money in our history. We couldn’t have achieved such success without our dedicated members! The Lowcountry Open Land Trust has now worked with landowners to save 57,579 acres since our founding in 1985. During 2007, we negotiated and recorded 28 new easements, as well as the expansion of two previously existing easements, for a total of 30 easements, bringing our protected properties to 211. In membership, we added 65 new individual members, 8 new businesses, and 4 new foundations as land trust supporters. Your generosity enabled us to meet the increased demand for our services and finish the year 4 margaret p. blackmer with a healthy operating surplus. The Pace of Conservation is Accelerating Although the land trust’s volume of property The pace of land conservation in the Lowcountry has been protection increased four-fold over our annual average, steadily growing over the decades as development pressure we are proud to report that our expenses increased only has escalated and increasing acres of land have been 19%. For example, rather than adding to our fixed costs, converted from traditional uses. The remarkable growth in we augmented our land protection staff with contract our land protection during 2007 was due to several factors. personnel to help handle the demand for our services. First, this was the initial year in which we worked through the South Carolina Conservation Bank and the Charleston County Greenbelt Bank to seek incentive payments for The Lowcountry Open Land Trust conservation easements. Though many of our easement takes on a monumental job for the donors received such incentives, they generously donated benefit of all of us, especially future $3 of the appraised value of their easements for every $1 in incentive payment received. Availability of these public funds has set high standards for preservation and valuation and is an important boost to the momentum of land conservation across the Lowcountry. generations. Hunting, fishing, recreation, forestry, and farming… they help protect our unique way of life. Marcia Wood – Board of Trustees of the Beaufort Fund of CCF The Conservation Bank is pleased to be a partner with the Lowcountry Lowcountry Partnerships Prove a Model Open Land Trust. Time for the Nation is running out in our Our partnerships with other land trusts and conservation effort to save the state’s organizations are vital not only to our own success, but also special places. to that of all the other groups working toward the common Charles Lane – Chairman of the Board of the South Carolina Conservation Bank goal of conserving the Lowcountry’s irreplaceable natural resources and beauty. Our work on all the Focus Area Task Forces and several grantee partnerships proved vital to the successes recorded in 2007. Please see the “Partnerships” The second factor contributing to this phenomenal year section for more details. was the scheduled expiration of the expanded federal tax A compelling example of the spirit of partnership is benefits for land conservation, making it imperative for the fact that half of new acres placed under protection by landowners to complete their conservation transactions on LOLT were in the newly-labeled Savannah River Preserve, or before December 31st, 2007. which is part of the South Lowcountry Focus Area in 5 a n u n f o r g e t t a bl e y e a r which we have been active for decades. Landowners governs itself,” observed that in all his work around there have coalesced in a remarkable way to preserve the America, in no other part of the country did conservation heritage and traditional uses of their beloved section of groups work as well together as in the Lowcountry. the Lowcountry. This collaborative effort has preserved over 40,000 acres, and LOLT is currently working with the owners of several thousand more acres in 2008. The Savannah River Preserve partnership (which is made Based on my experience, any up of The Lowcountry Open Land Trust, The Nature landowner would be blessed to Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, the South Carolina have people with such a high degree Department of Natural Resources, the State Conservation of competence as those who work at Bank and private landowners) has the goal of protecting the Lowcountry Open Land Trust 100,000 acres over the next few years. Neal Peirce, a syndicated columnist for The Washington Post who recently visited the Lowcountry to write a series of articles for The Post & Courier, sums it up best. Peirce, who is known as “the pulse-taker of change in how America 6 handle their affairs. John D. Carswell – Conservation Easement Donor, Savannah River Preserve 2008 Could Be Another Record-Breaker In our first 21years of operation, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust had saved just over 47,000 acres, which was an impressive achievement. In our twenty-second year, we broke all records, preserving over 10,500 acres, and 2008 is already shaping up to be another unprecedented year. While our Board of Trustees is pleased with this success, we recognize the need to maintain LOLT’s capacity to meet the growing demand landowners are showing for assistance in conserving their land forever. The Lowcountry Open Land Trust will be prepared for the coming years to be every bit as productive and exciting as 2007 was, thanks to the land ethic of Lowcountry landowners and to the Stewardship to me means leaving the land in better shape than you found it for future generations to nurture and enjoy. The Lowcountry Open Land Trust and its members are our stewards for tomorrow. Coy Johnston – Board Member of the Lowcountry Conservation Loan Fund 7 margaret P. Blackmer financial backing our wonderful members and supporters. ORA NGEBURG SANTEE 95 30 28 San lake 26 12 Ace Basin Focus Area SUMMER 11 WALTERBOR O 17 2 10 16 1 8 9 14 13 4 3 south lowcountry focus area 5 EDISTO ISLAND 6 RIDGELAND 7 georgia 8 95 BEAUFORT 15 MANNING KINGSTREE 29 Winyah Bay focus area GEORGETOWN Santee BASIN focus area ntee cooper es focus areA Francis Marion National Forest MONCKS CORNER 6 18 McCLELLANVILLE MMER VILLE 17 caws basin focus area 526 17 South Carolina Focus Areas The South Carolina Focus Areas were created in the late 1980’s through a state, federal, and private partnership to protect critical watersheds of the Lowcountry. More than 500,000 acres across South Carolina have been protected through voluntary conservation easements, aquisition, and gifts of land, 57,579 acres through the Lowcountry Open Land Trust alone. CHARLESTON 27 23 5 21 20 24 22 25 Coastal Protected Lands 1985 – 2007 LOLT Properties Protected in 2007 LOLT Protected Lands before 2007 19 26 Other Protected Lands Includes Federal, State, County and Private 9 The Lowcountry Open Land Trust currently protects 211 properties in perpetuity covering Properties added in 2007 shown in gold on map and listed below Protected Lands Area Protected Southern Lowcountry Basin Focus Area Cheney Tract, Jasper County....................................................................... 398 acres Mitchell Family Tract, Lady’s Island........................................................... 238 acres Mackay Point, Jasper County......................................................................... 6,376 acres Roseland Plantation, Jasper County................................................................158 acres Roseland Plantation II, Jasper County.............................................................. 55 acres Roseland Plantation III, Jasper County...........................................................487 acres Roseland Plantation IV, Jasper County............................................................. 42 acres Big Goethe, Hampton County........................................................................... 417 acres Little Goethe, Hampton County.......................................................................121 acres Wattie Tuten, Hampton County........................................................................268 acres Hunter’s Choice, Hampton County..................................................................910 acres Cypress Creek, Jasper County.........................................................................1006 acres 1) M. T. Laffitte Farm, Hampton County.................................................................... 449 acres 2) Winborn Asa Lawton Plantation, Hampton Co..........................................................1318 acres 3) Cypress Creek II, Jasper County........................................................................... 2910 acres 4) Cypress Creek III, Jasper County............................................................................ 346 acres 5) Roseland Plantation V, Jasper County.................................................................... 29 acres 6) Roseland Plantation Amendment, Jasper Co........................................................ 51 acres 7) Strawberry Hill, Jasper County................................................................................ 62 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES................................................................................................... 15,641 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES.................................................................................27% ACE Basin Focus Area Gregorie Tract, Yonges Island........................................................................... 280 acres Combahee Plantation I, Combahee River.....................................................722 acres Combahee Plantation II, Combahee River....................................................470 acres Oak Island Plantation I, Edisto Island..............................................................339 acres Oak Island Plantation II, Edisto Island..................................................................8 acres Plum Hill Plantation, Combahee River............................................................945 acres Prospect Hill Plantation, Parkers Ferry............................................................. 87 acres Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe Creek..........................................................................................58 acres Lavington Plantation, Ashepoo River......................................................... 2,324 acres Shell Point, South Fenwick Island....................................................................... 45 acres Battle Family Tract I, Edisto Island.........................................................................2 acres Battle Family Tract II, Edisto Island........................................................................2 acres Paul & Dalton Plantation, Combahee River...............................................2,122 acres Airy Hall Plantation, Ashepoo River............................................................. 1,062 acres McCollum Tract, Edisto Island.............................................................................. 33 acres Slann Island Plantation, Slann Island...............................................................375 acres Tilt Tract, Cuckhold Creek......................................................................................80 acres Horse Island, Wadmalaw River..........................................................................595 acres Ravenel Tract, Ravenel..........................................................................................527 acres Seabrook Plantation, Edisto Island..................................................................251 acres Creek House, Edisto Island.................................................................................... 47 acres St. Margaret’s Island, Edisto Island..................................................................... 33 acres Laurel Hill, Edisto Island.......................................................................................195 acres Temple of Sport, Green Pond............................................................................ 408 acres My Place, Fenwick.....................................................................................................38 acres McAlhany Nature Preserve, Edisto River........................................................370 acres Ravenwood Plantation, Chessey Creek..........................................................392 acres Rock Spring Plantation, Fuller Swamp............................................................370 acres Windsor House Plantation, Edisto Island.......................................................141 acres Windswept Farm, Meggett.................................................................................103 acres Ashe Point, Yonges Island....................................................................................301 acres Prospect Hill Farm, Neyles...................................................................................226 acres Lavington, Ashepoo River...................................................................................794 acres Truesdale Tract, Toogoodoo Creek.................................................................... 43 acres Wilson Tract, Toogoodoo Creek..........................................................................23 acres Salt Creek, Toogoodoo Creek..............................................................................28 acres Dodds Property, Orangeburg County..............................................................94 acres Green Tree, Green Pond ......................................................................................232 acres Remley Point Plantation, Chessey Creek.......................................................467 acres 10 Protected Lands Area Protected Moorer Property, Edisto River............................................................................786 acres Horseshoe Tract, Neyles.................................................................................... 1020 acres Gun Bluff, Edisto Island.........................................................................................109 acres Indigo Oaks, Four Holes Swamp.......................................................................176 acres Hickory Bluff, Edisto River...................................................................................... 29 acres 8) Brack I, Tilly Island................................................................................................ 24 acres 9) Brack II, Tilly Island............................................................................................... 10 acres 10) Temple of Sport Amendment, Green Pond........................................................ 70 acres 11) Round O Farm, Fuller Swamp.............................................................................. 90 acres 12) Edelhof, Grover.................................................................................................... 123 acres 13) Brookland Plantation, Edisto Island................................................................... 60 acres 14) Windsor House Plantation II, Edisto Island...................................................... 121 acres 15) Old House Plantation, Edisto Island................................................................. 269 acres 16) Belle Vista Bluff, Yonges Island............................................................................ 61 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES.....................................................................................................17,580 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES.................................................................................31% Ashley River Initiative (CAWS Basin Focus Area) Ashley River Marshland I, Ashley River.............................................................29 acres Ashley River Marshland II, Ashley River............................................................ 45 acres Eagle Creek Marshland, Ashley River.................................................................... 1 acre Ashley River Marshland III, Ashley River...........................................................94 acres Ashley River Marshland V, Ashley River..........................................................220 acres Ashley River Marshland IV, Ashley River........................................................154 acres Ashley River Marshland VI, Ashley River........................................................481 acres Lewis Tract, Ashley River........................................................................................ 20 acres Lowndes Grove, Charleston Peninsula............................................................. 12 acres Ashley River Marshland VII, Ashley River.........................................................98 acres Archdale Plantation House Remains, North Charleston...............................2 acres Millbrook Plantation Farm, Ashley River Road............................................141 acres Mateeba Estates Boat Landing, Ashley River....................................................5 acres Ashley River Road Buffer I, Ashley River Road................................................... 1 acre Ashley River Road Buffer II, Ashley River Road.................................................4 acres Ashley River Road Buffer III, Ashley River Road................................................. 1 acre Ashley River Road Buffer IV, Ashley River Road................................................2 acres Parkshore Island, Ashley River................................................................................. 1 acre Ashley River Road Buffer V, Ashley River Road.................................................3 acres Mateeba Estates Road Buffer, Ashley River Road............................................4 acres Middleton Marshland Tract, Ashley River........................................................ 81 acres Dogwood Ridge, Ashley River................................................................................9 acres Miller Tract, Ashley River........................................................................................ 10 acres 17) Live Oak Plantation, Rantowles Creek............................................................... 225 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES....................................................................................................... 1,643 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES....................................................................................3% Cooper / Wando Initiative (CAWS Basin Focus Area) Kensington Plantation I, East Branch Cooper River..................................... 83 acres Middleburg Plantation, East Branch Cooper River....................................326 acres Blessing Plantation, East Branch Cooper River............................................188 acres Parkers Island, Wando River..................................................................................99 acres Kensington Plantation II, East Branch Cooper River..................................141 acres Longwood Plantation, East Branch Cooper River......................................236 acres Longwood Plantation Amended and Restated..........................................141 acres Girl Scout Plantation, East Branch Cooper River.........................................153 acres Silk Hope, East Branch Cooper River...............................................................557 acres Hanlin Tract, Awendaw Creek.............................................................................. 32 acres Awendaw Creek Cottages, Awendaw Creek.................................................. 13 acres Hell Hole, Francis Marion National Forest....................................................... 93 acres 18) Midway Plantation, East Branch Cooper River.................................................. 1275 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES........................................................................................................ 3337 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES....................................................................................6% 57,579 acres of scenic vistas, farmland, timberland, tidal marshes and historic properties. Protected Lands Area Protected Sea Islands Initiative (CAWS Basin Focus Area) Alge Island, Stono River.......................................................................................... 20 acres Bayview Acres, City of Mt. Pleasant......................................................................3 acres Dixie Plantation Highway 162 Buffer, Meggett.............................................23 acres High Point, Wadmalaw Island.............................................................................. 14 acres Oak Grove Plantation, Wadmalaw Island......................................................122 acres Enterprise Farm, Wadmalaw Island..................................................................227 acres Martin’s Point, Wadmalaw Island........................................................................40 acres Andell/Kiawah River Marshlands, Kiawah River..........................................621 acres Black Island, James Island................................................................................2,000 acres Sullivan’s Island Beach, Sullivan’s Island..........................................................80 acres Longcreek, Wadmalaw Island.................................................................................8 acres Ravens Bluff, Johns Island....................................................................................154 acres Dixie Plantation, Meggett...................................................................................817 acres Williams Family Tract, Wadmalaw Island.......................................................144 acres Confederate Battery Cheves, James Island........................................................2 acres Little Rockland, Wadmalaw Island..................................................................... 26 acres Jacquelyn Lane Family Tract, Wadmalaw Island...........................................80 acres Gold Bug Island, Sullivan’s Island.......................................................................30 acres William Morgan Tract, Wadmalaw Island........................................................ 53 acres Confederate Battery #5, James Island..................................................................2 acres Selkirk Plantation, Wadmalaw Island..............................................................835 acres Coleman Tract, Wadmalaw Island...................................................................... 10 acres Coleraine, Wadmalaw Island..............................................................................630 acres Yaupon, Wadmalaw Island....................................................................................54 acres Elizabeth Hay Tract, Wadmalaw Island............................................................. 10 acres Goat Island, Isle of Palms....................................................................................... 83 acres Oakhart Plantation, Wadmalaw Island...........................................................314 acres Bugby Plantation Lot 1, Johns Island..............................................................108 acres Bugby Plantation Lot 2, Johns Island................................................................ 32 acres Bugby Plantation Lot 3, Johns Island................................................................25 acres Bugby Plantation Lot 4, Johns Island................................................................28 acres Oak Grove Farm, Wadmalaw Island...................................................................88 acres Irvin Tract, Johns Island.......................................................................................... 82 acres Veronee Tract, Johns Island..................................................................................30 acres Klinks Plantation, Wadmalaw Island................................................................ 110 acres Cedar Island, Johns Island..................................................................................... 37 acres Three Oaks, Johns Island........................................................................................98 acres Oak Point I, Wadmalaw Island..............................................................................23 acres Oak Point II, Wadmalaw Island............................................................................. 52 acres Rosebank Estates Lot VII, Wadmalaw Island................................................... 24 acres Andell House, Johns Island................................................................................... 13 acres Goff Point, Johns Island.......................................................................................... 15 acres Breezy Hill, Johns Island.........................................................................................60 acres Farmfield I, West Ashley............................................................................................6 acres Fiddler’s Green (The John Preston Frost Nature Preserve), James Island............................................................................28 acres Hart’s Bluff, Wadmalaw Island............................................................................. 16 acres Oak Point III, Wadmalaw Island........................................................................... 32 acres Oak Point IV, Wadmalaw Island...........................................................................48 acres Rosebank Plantation I, Wadmalaw Island........................................................ 32 acres New Cut Plantation, Wadmalaw Island..........................................................420 acres Rosebank Estates Lot II, Wadmalaw Island..................................................... 27 acres Rosebank Estates Lot III, Wadmalaw Island................................................... 23 acres Cotton Island, Rockville........................................................................................... 2 acres Rosebank Plantation II, Wadmalaw Island...................................................... 10 acres Red House I, Wadmalaw Island............................................................................ 32 acres Linton Family Tract, Wadmalaw Island............................................................. 17 acres Point Pasture, Wadmalaw Island.......................................................................144 acres Rosebank Plantation III, Wadmalaw Island.....................................................28 acres Belvidere Plantation, Johns Island..................................................................... 17 acres Heron Island, Clarke Sound......................................................................................2 acres Battery Logan, Sullivans Island...............................................................................2 acres Rosebank Estates Lot VIII, Wadmalaw Island.................................................22 acres Protected Lands Area Protected Holmfridur, James Island....................................................................................... 12 acres Brambleberry, Wadmalaw Island........................................................................ 19 acres 19) Dupree Farm, Wadmalaw Island........................................................................... 77 acres 20) Oak Point V, Wadmalaw Island.............................................................................. 10 acres 21) Oak Point VI, Wadmalaw Island...............................................................................6 acres 22) Young Property, Wadmalaw Island..........................................................................9 acres 23) Sosnowski Properties, LLC Property, Wadmalaw Island.................................. 178 acres 24) Bugby Plantation, LP Property, Wadmalaw Island........................................... 898 acres 25) Wilson-Bugby Properties, LLC Property, Wadmalaw Island . .......................... 146 acres 26) Racket Hall, Wadmalaw Island............................................................................ 244 acres 27) Bryan Dairy, Johns Island.................................................................................... 852 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES.....................................................................................................10,586 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES.................................................................................18% Santee Basin Ardea, McClellanville.............................................................................................137 acres Mather Tract, Awendaw ....................................................................................... 25 acres Echaw Creek I, Santee River................................................................................122 acres Echaw Creek II, Echaw Creek............................................................................. 656 acres Echaw Creek II Amendment, Echaw Creek...................................................558 acres Wambaw Point, Wambaw Creek.......................................................................124 acres Echaw Creek III, Echaw Creek.............................................................................248 acres Wadmacon Creek, Santee River........................................................................142 acres Echaw Creek IV, Echaw Creek ............................................................................603 acres Stewarts Neck, North Santee River............................................................... 1700 acres Hopsewee Plantation, North Santee River...................................................... 21 acres Hopsewee Plantation Amended and Restated . .......................................... 37 acres Crocker Tract, McClellanville................................................................................ 82 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES....................................................................................................... 4,455 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES....................................................................................8% Santee Coooper Lakes Bell Family Tract, Beidler Forest........................................................................... 31 acres Isaac Bay, Beidler Forest...................................................................................... 200 acres Big Pasture. Beidler Forest...................................................................................195 acres 28) James Bell Property, Beidler Forest.................................................................... 399 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES...........................................................................................................825 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES....................................................................................1% Winyah Bay Guendalos, Great Pee Dee River......................................................................... 32 acres Debordieu, Georgetown........................................................................................ 42 acres Waccamaw River Bluff I, Waccamaw River...................................................... 52 acres Waccamaw River Bluff II, Waccamaw River........................................................8 acres Breakwater Plantation, Great Pee Dee River................................................260 acres Weymouth Plantation, Great Pee Dee River.................................................175 acres Rosemont Plantation, Great Pee Dee River..................................................216 acres Woodland, Great Pee Dee River....................................................................... 200 acres Vaught Tract, Black Mingo Creek..................................................................... 254 acres DeBordieu II, Georgetown..................................................................................120 acres 29) Hobonny Fields, Black Mingo Creek................................................................... 196 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES....................................................................................................... 1,555 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES....................................................................................3% Outside Coastal Focus Areas Pocotaligo Plantation, Pocotaligo Swamp.................................................1000 acres The Land Farm, Pocotaligo Swamp.................................................................140 acres Lesesne Tract, Clarendon County.....................................................................315 acres Black River Swamp, Williamsburg County.....................................................407 acres Neeses, Orangeburg County............................................................................... 42 acres 30) Bamberg South, Bamberg County........................................................................ 53 acres FOCUS AREA TOTAL ACRES........................................................................................................ 1957 acres PERCENT OF TOTAL LOLT PROTECTED ACRES....................................................................................3% 11 2007 margaret P. Blackmer L a n d s pr ot e c t e d i n In 2007, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust added 28 new protected properties and 2 additions to existing easements, helping landowners save a record 10,561 acres in perpetuity. With these easements, the Land Trust now has 57,579 preserved acres in South Carolina. The following is a brief summary of the 2007 conservation projects and the properties they protect. 12 ACE BASIN FOCUS AREA Brack Properties – 2 easements for 34 acres This property is located on the tidal creek associated with Tilly Island and the Old Chehaw River, which drains into St. Helena Sound. The Sound is recognized as one of the most pristine estuaries on the eastern seaboard. Conserved by Andy and Courtenay Brack, the property sits at the gateway to Tilly Island. First settled prior to 1690, Tilly Island is one of only two partially-developed causewayconnected islands in the Ace Basin. Brookland Plantation – 60 acres Prior to the Revolutionary War, Brookland Plantation was a prosperous indigo plantation of the Jenkins Family, and later produced sea island cotton during the antebellum and postCivil War era. The earlier plantation house was replaced with the presentday house (circa 1800-1807), the core of which was built of black cypress. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Structural remains indicate that there were elaborately landscaped grounds, including a sunken garden. Longgone slave cabins once stood between what are now grand old oak trees. In the 1960s, a missionary couple bought the plantation and turned it into Brooklands Home for Boys. Remnants of the school still remain. The old school bell is mounted in the back garden and a rope swing hangs from a tree at the edge of Shingle Creek. The views include spectacular marsh vistas along Shingle Creek, an open grove of pecan trees, a pond, fields and numerous live oak trees draped in Spanish moss. This conservation easement was donated by Thomas J. J. Ravenel. Belle Vista Bluff old house plantation Belle Vista Bluff – 61 acres Located in Meggett, Belle Vista Bluff is comprised of open fields, marsh, forested wetlands, live oak groves, and mixed upland forests. It is unique in that it’s a peninsula, boasting over 8,500 feet of water frontage on Gibson Creek and part of an expansive public vista from the Wadmalaw River. The property has 36 acres of forested uplands, 16 acres of forested wetlands, 7 acres of cleared and open fields, and a 3-acre tidal impoundment. With pastures and open fields for horses, the conservation easement on Belle Vista Bluff will protect the rural and agricultural nature of this area for both the present and future generations to enjoy and cherish, thanks to Mike and Betsy Carroll. Edelhof – 123 acres Located inland of the Edisto River, Edelhof comprises a diverse array of forest types, including pine stands and mixed hardwoods. Primary management objectives are for enhanced wildlife habitat and production of healthy, sustainable stands of timber. Thanks to the generosity of John and Andrea von Lehe, it is hoped that protection of this property will encourage nearby landowners within the Edisto River watershed to consider protecting their land as well. Old House Plantation – 269 acres Old House Plantation has approximately 3,200 feet of forested frontage along a tributary of Westbank Creek. The house is the oldest on Edisto Island, predating the Revolutionary Period, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built by William Jenkins circa 1735-1760, its architecture is indicative of pre-Revolutionary era, with updates that reflect the 19th and 20th centuries. The commissary, which was constructed circa 1898, is 13 L a n d s pr ot e c t e d i n also on the National Register of Historic Places. The property has 84 acres of forested uplands, 110 acres of forested wetlands, 15 acres of non-forested wetlands, and 60 acres of cleared, open agricultural fields. As a result of this traditional agricultural use, a wide variety of wildlife habitat is preserved, as well as water quality. The conservation easement on Old House Plantation was donated by John and Gigi Frampton. Round O Farm – 90 acres Located between Sidney Road and a small stream near the head of Fuller Swamp, which drains directly into Horseshoe Lead Creek and the Ashepoo River, this area is known for the abundance of surface limestone formations and the rare plant communities associated with these formations. By virtue of hydrology and the presence of high-quality soils, a significant portion of Round O Farm contains a variety of uncommon upland deciduous forest communities, particularly beech-magnolia forests and some spruce pine. The balance of the property is comprised of agricultural fields, wildlife management areas, open water (waterfowl pond), and mixed hardwood/pine forests. Protection of Round O Farm, conserved by the Hiott family, creates a corridor of protection, adding 90 acres to the 370 acres associated with the adjacent Rock Spring Plantation which was protected by LOLT in 2001. Temple of Sport – 70 additional acres The original 408-acre conservation easement on Temple of Sport was donated in December of 2000 by Charley and Martha Lynn Webb, and this amendment adds another 70 acres, for a total of 478 acres protected by LOLT. Given its location on Green Pond, with neighboring wildlife management areas and Hwy 17, this property serves as a key piece of the puzzle for land protection efforts in the ACE Basin. Through the terms of the amendment, the protected property will continue to be used for traditional uses such as forestry, agriculture, equine and wildlife management. The name “Temple of Sport” derives from a classically-columned, preRevolutionary war-era structure built by Colonel Barnard Elliot, which “afforded an excellent stand for hunting deer.” 14 2007 Windsor House Plantation – 121 additional acres Thanks to the generosity of Demi and Ellie Howard, this addition to the existing 141-acre easement brings the total protected area to 262 acres. Situated along SC Highway 174 on Edisto Island, Windsor House Plantation II extends into the marsh and waters of Russell Creek. The ecosystems associated with the property include planted pine stands, maritime forests and saltwater marsh. The property is currently managed for sustainable harvest and prudent management of the forest resources and scenic features, preservation of the significant wildlife habitat, existing ecological features and the traditional uses of recreation and forestry. CAWS BASIN – The Sea Islands Initiative Bryan Dairy – 852 acres The Bryan Family has owned this farmland for over five generations (nearly 200 years), with four generations currently living on the property. Through this easement, agricultural land, forested uplands, three small island hummocks, and vast expanses of almost 700 acres of marshlands adjacent to the Kiawah River will be protected forever. Known to be the site of an Indian burial ground, the property was originally owned by Henry Woodward, a white settler who left the pre-Colonial encampments to live with the Indians. The original plantation house was burned by Union Forces during the Civil War. Bryan Dairy boasts vast uninterrupted waterfront vistas along Chaplin Creek and the Kiawah River, including views of the southern end of Folly Beach. John’s Island has always served as the agricultural heart of its area and, through the protection of Bryan Dairy, it will remain one of the largest properties on John’s Island to conduct traditional agricultural practices. The Bugby Plantation Properties – 3 easements for a total of 1,222 acres The three properties which comprise this outstanding landscape, recognized as the “gateway” to Wadmalaw Island, have been in the Sosnowski family for five generations. The dupree farm land contains historic features eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, including remnants of three historic tenant houses and the Sosnowski farm house, all circa 1915. There are also remnants of sea island cotton production on the property, including farm equipment, dike systems and buildings. The property is currently managed for diverse forest products and agriculture, sustainable harvest of timber resources, and restoration of longleaf pine ecosystems. Protection of these parcels conserves forever three significant viewsheds, prominently visible by the public from both Maybank Highway, Church Creek, and Bohicket Creek, with over 2 miles of primarily forested creek frontage, as well as over 7400 feet of tributary frontage, and includes some acres of adjacent marshland. Dupree Farm – 77 acres With 1,500 feet of forested frontage along Maybank Highway, Dupree Farm has 35 acres of forested upland, 25 acres of forested wetland, and 17 acres of cleared and open fields. The wetlands on the property feed into Bohicket Creek, and the existing natural condition of the protected property contributes very little nonpoint source pollution to this nearby waterway. John and Mina Dupree are great stewards of this 77-acre tract, with the property being managed for open space, wildlife habitat, and minimum-impact outdoor recreational activities, including hunting, as well as rural residential uses. Morning Hill Farm – 9 acres With the protection of scenic views from Bears Bluff Road and Church Creek, this conservation easement on Morning Hill Farm is just one of a series held by LOLT on the eastern point of Wadmalaw Island. Conservation of this property by Rutledge Young demonstrates a collaboration of protection among Wadmalaw residents dedicated to maintaining the rural character of the island. Oak Point – 2 additional easements bugby plantation for 16 acres With open fields and upland forests, these additional conservation easements bring the total number of protected Oak Point acres to 171, adding to the Henry M. Hay family’s generous effort to help protect Wadmalaw Island. Management of these protected acres revolves around 15 L a n d s pr ot e c t e d i n 2007 CAWS BASIN – Ashley River Initiative Live Oak Plantation – 225 acres As a working farm with cattle, chickens and horses, Live Oak Plantation is a unique property situated along Wallace Creek. The highland serves as pasture and open fields for the various agricultural operations, while the approximate 145 acres of historic rice fields provides valuable habitat to various waterfowl and aquatic species. The dike system allows for proper management of the rice fields for waterfowl management, as well as for establishing an ideal viewshed from the residential structures on the protected property. The conservation easement was donated by David and Becky Baird, and it serves as a model for protection for other properties along the Rantowles Creek and Wallace Creek watershed. CAWS BASIN – Cooper/ Wando Initiative Midway Plantation – 1275 acres live oak plantation enhancement of open spaces, wildlife habitat, and encouragement of traditional recreational uses. Protection of the parcels preserves important viewsheds, with significant frontage along Bears Bluff Road and 650 feet of forested frontage on Church Creek. Racket Hall – 244 acres Racket Hall is the remainder of a large 19th century farm that was one of several on this portion of Wadmalaw Island. It features a 1920s-era farmhouse, typical of Lowcountry farm architecture, as well as other agricultural structures that date back several decades. Present/future agriculture includes a rotation of crops, such as tomatoes, corn and other grain crops. Situated along Bohicket Creek, Racket Hall has over 2,500 feet of creek frontage which will be protected forever, thanks to the generosity of Bill and Jane East. The family encourages sustainable forestry practices to establish, maintain, and improve the wildlife habitat. The property has 60 acres of forested wetland, small patches of non-forested wetlands, 30 acres of planted pine and forested upland, and 150 acres of open agricultural fields. 16 Midway Plantation contains Midway Reserve, a contributing resource to the Cooper River National Historic District. Originally owned in 1790 by John Ball of Kensington and Hyde Park plantations, the property boasts remnants of a large inland rice reserve that was initially linked to Gough Creek through Kensington Plantation. The canal system and slave-made banks are still visible on the property. Modern water-control trunks and gates have replaced the originals, but the integrity of this 150-acre reserve which is still under watercontrol management remains high. The Plantation has over 2 miles of forested highway frontage on SC Highway 402, all of which will be preserved forever thanks to the conservation spirit of the members of Midway Plantation LLC. The property has a diversity of relatively natural habitats, including upland planted pine, longleaf pine stands, mixed pine/hardwood, wetlands, open fields and freshwater impoundments. WINYAH BAY FOCUS AREA Hobonny Fields – 196 acres With various landcover types, Hobonny Fields plays a key role in the protection of the watershed of Black Mingo Creek and Black River. Thanks to the generosity of the Vaught family, Hobonny Fields adds to the linkage of protected properties in the neighborhood and will contribute to the conservation of traditional uses in Georgetown County. The property is managed for enhanced wildlife habitat, which includes the planting of open fields, the management of interior waterfowl impoundments, and the preservation of the floodplain forest along Squirrel Creek. SOUTH LOWCOUNTRY FOCUS AREA Cypress Creek Plantation – 2 easements for 3256 acres Adjoining the already-protected 1006-acre property known as Cypress Creek Plantation, this 3256-acre addition represents significant acreage within Jasper County and the Savannah River Preserve Conservation Program. The Savannah River Preserve Program is designed with the goal of being the highest leveraged and most significant public/private conservation initiative in the history of South Carolina. It has been inspired and led by grassroots involvement of landowners and conservation partners working towards the common goal of protecting the landscape and the traditional ways of life in the Savannah River watershed. Situated off US Highway 321 near Tarboro, Cypress Creek Plantation is a mix of forest types, boasting over 1,700 acres of bottomland hardwood forests within the watershed of Cypress Creek Swamp. Other forest types include planted pine, mixed pine/hardwood, longleaf pine, and various other diverse stands of timber. The donors of the conservation easements (John D. Carswell and associated trusts) want to ensure the long-term conservation of the traditional uses of the land such as hunting and sustainable timber management, while at the same time protecting the property from future development pressures. Cypress Creek is adjacent to other protected lands, forming an 18,000-acre corridor of protection from US Highway 321 to the Savannah River. The additional Cypress Creek property contains historic features, including the Jessie Ives House, circa 1875, which is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, as well as remnants of the historic Two Sisters Ferry Road that dates cypress creek back to the early 1700s, which was utilized by William Bartram during his explorations of South Carolina in 1775 and also served as a strategic route across the Savannah River during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. M. T. Laffitte Farm – 449 acres Laffitte Farm in Hampton County is prominently visible by the public from Augusta Stagecoach Road and Jericho Road, having approximately 4,000 feet and 4,200 feet, respectively, of forested frontage. The farm has been historically managed for sustainable forestry, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreational activities, and agricultural uses. It has a diversity of relatively natural habitats including planted pine stands, forested wetlands, open fields, and open water, all of which can support a variety of plant and animal species. In its existing condition, the property contributes very little nonpoint source pollution to the downstream network of wetlands leading into Boggy Swamp. This is significant because the runoff eventually flows to the Savannah River, and the watershed quality is protected through the vast amount of forested uplands and wetlands that provide for nutrient uptake and sediment deposition, as well as the low percentage of impervious surface that reduces sources of pollution and nutrient loading. The conservation easement was donated by Monty Laffitte. Roseland Plantation – an additional 80 acres Roseland Plantation in Jasper County is the Huguenin family plantation, and has been owned by the family almost continuously since the Revolutionary War. The plantation is situated on Huguenin Neck near the confluence of the Coosawhatchie, Pocotaligo and Tulifiny Rivers. David and Deborah Huguenin’s goal is to reacquire and restore Roseland’s historic 20,000 acre extent. The development potential of waterfront land in this area is quite high, given its location between Beaufort and Hilton Head, in an area where residential subdivisions are now appearing. To date, the Huguenins have generously protected 822 acres of the historic landholdings and they intend to preserve its historic and natural character, as well as the wildlife habitat, while allowing for traditional, sustainable uses of the land. Planted longleaf pine, bottomland hardwood forest, and mixed hardwood/pine forests contribute to the conservation values of the plantation, creating a diverse landscape essential to many wildlife species. 17 L a n d s pr ot e c t e d i n Strawberry Hill – 62 acres Situated along Euhaw Creek in Jasper County, with approximately 1,200 feet of water frontage, this property will assist with the longterm conservation of lands near Hilton Head and surrounding areas. The terms of the conservation easement establish significant buffers along the waterfront, limit the number of residences, restrict impervious surface, and permit traditional agricultural operations on the property. Ann Laffitte, who generously donated this conservation easement, will manage the property to support habitats ideal for migratory birds, shore birds and various nongame mammal species. Winborn Asa Lawton Plantation – 1,318 acres This Hampton County property is significant to the on-going success of the Savannah River Preserve Conservation Program. This program is designed with the goal of being the highest leveraged and most significant public/private conservation initiative in the history of South Carolina. The plantation is dominated by a mixture of natural habitats, including forested wetlands, deciduous uplands, planted pine and open fields, all of which can support a variety of plant and animal species. Preservation goals include enhancement of natural wildlife habitat, producing valuable timber resources, and providing a wide variety of low-impact outdoor recreational opportunities. Forest management practices include reforestation, prescribed burning, removal of invasive species, thinning operations, timber stand improvement activities, and selective harvesting. Lawton O’Cain donated the conservation easement. 2007 SANTEE COOPER LAKES FOCUS AREA James Bell Property – 399 acres This property is one more important piece in the mosaic of Bell Family properties which sit adjacent to the Francis Beidler Forest. The land has been in the Bell family for generations, and the family is committed to securing the future of their lands through conservation easements. These easements act as a buffer against further development of the area around the Four Holes Swamp, helping to preserve this ecologically significant area. The easement program in the Francis Beidler Forest area was initiated in 2004 by Audubon South Carolina, in partnership with LOLT. The James Bell Property contains significant wetland ecosystems as well as planted and natural pine, mixed uplands, and open fields, all of which provide habitat for native game and non-game species. OTHER COASTAL FOCUS AREA Bamberg South –53 acres Located in close proximity to other protected lands (including Tibshrany Farm, protected by Ducks Unlimited, and Barnwell State Park, protected by South Carolina Department of Parks and Tourism), Bamberg South contains a diversity of natural habitats, including planted pine stands and forested wetlands, which support a variety of plant and animal species. It is visible from Sykes Road, with approximately 350 feet of forested road frontage. With the surrounding community primarily composed of rural and agricultural land, it is hoped that the generous protection of this property by Bill and Barbara Anderson will encourage nearby landowners to consider similar conservation. 2007 easement donors who attended LOLT annual meeting: (l-r )Ted & Meemee Williams, Bill Anderson, Mike & Betsy Carroll, Van Noy Thornhill, Demi Howard, Thomas Ravenel, Sam Hiott, Pat Mason, Wayne Hiott, Ann & Monty Laffitte, David Baird, Andrea von Lehe, Becky Baird, John von Lehe, and David Huguenin. 18 LOLT Stewardship Stewardship is defined as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” When the Lowcountry Open Land Trust accepts a conservation easement, we agree to become partners with the landowner in the perpetual protection of the easement property. This is what we call stewardship, and it’s a vital part of our mission. LOLT has a Stewardship Fund to ensure our financial ability to manage, monitor and defend the terms of all our easements, as well as to defend our ownership of fee-simple properties. Easement donors and LOLT members can make designated contributions to our Stewardship Fund. These contributions STE W ARDSHI P STAT s * 183 47,018 236 1 100% ensure that every easement can be adequately protected and safeguarded forever. Protected Properties Acres to Monitor Annual Workdays Stewardship Staff Percent Monitored * Does not reflect properties added in 2007 While membership contributions help in the day-to-day operations of LOLT, enabling the conservation of more new acres each year, contributions to the Stewardship Fund ensure that sufficient resources are available to safeguard our protected properties. Writing and recording a new easement is not enough to protect the valuable lands of the Lowcountry. It takes diligent stewardship to monitor and defend the terms of all our easement documents, particularly as the land changes hands through the next generation, new owners and beyond. We appreciate your support of the Lowcountry Open 19 margaret p. blackmer Land Trust and hope that you will consider making an additional contribution to our Stewardship Fund. Partnerships LOLT was a member of several par tnerships in 2007 Lowcountry Conservation Partners Sponsored by the Donnelley Foundation The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation consistently grants substantial support for conservation within the South Carolina Lowcountry. As a grant recipient, LOLT serves as a member of their Lowcountry Conservation Partnership, in which we meet regularly with Donnelley Foundation staff, board members, and partner grantees to analyze, compare, and cooperate in strategic conservation initiatives. The Donnelley grantees are coordinating and streamlining our conservation across the Lowcountry. Grantee partners include The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, the Coastal Conservation League, and the Southern Environmental Law Center. Lowcountry Conservation Partnership Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Foundation The Lyndhurst Foundation granted a 4-year program to LOLT, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and the Coastal Conservation League to protect the critical watersheds and ecosystems in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Savannah River Preserve Conservation Program The South Lowcountry (“SoLo”) Task Force, in which LOLT is a participant, is in the beginning stages of implementing a landscape-scale conservation plan for the Savannah River Preserve. This is a region of large tracts of rural land owned by relatively few landowners. The partnership includes LOLT, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the State Conservation Bank. Each partner organization reaches out to owners of property within the defined area and, on behalf of the owner, seeks partial payment for the conservation easement through the State Conservation Bank. In 2008, LOLT protected over 5100 acres in SoLo, of which 4574 acres received partial payment. To date, the partnership has preserved over 40,000 acres, and has the prospect to protect 100,000 acres over the next few years. Focus Area Task Forces The success of public/private conservation along the coast of South Carolina is dependant on the cooperation among all stakeholders who participate in the five Focus Area Task Forces. Each Task Force was formed by local and national conservation organizations to prioritize and strategize on their area’s protection. LOLT is a member of all five of the Task Forces and has contributed greatly 20 to their overall successes. Below are the five focus areas which are named for the watersheds they include, followed by the number of acres that LOLT protected in 2007: • CAWS (Cooper, Ashley, Wando and Sea Islands) – 3,920 acres • SoLo (South Lowcountry) –5,114 acres • Winyah Bay – 196 acres • Santee Cooper Lakes – 399 acres • ACE (Ashepoo, Combahee, Edisto) Basin – 758 acres. We also worked with ACE Basin Task Force members in partnership to monitor the proposed development of the 72,000 acre East Edisto tract. South Carolina Land Trust Network We continued to actively participate in this group of 20 local and three national conservation organizations operating in the state. The Network has been an invaluable source of information and training, especially in light of the past two years’ sweeping changes in conservation tax benefits, funding sources, and the upcoming Land Trust Alliance accreditation. We participated with the two other SC Land Trust Network members, the Edisto Island Open Land Trust and the Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy, in a land trust accreditation information seminar in November. Cooper River Partnership This partnership held a series of meetings with landowners in the region to advise them on voluntary ways to preserve the rural nature and natural beauty of this important region in the Lowcountry. This partnership resulted in 1,275 acres of new easement property for LOLT in 2007. Audubon Partnership This partnership helps preserve undeveloped land around the Francis Beidler Forest and the Four Holes Swamp area. This year’s partnership resulted in LOLT protecting 399 acres near the Beidler Forest. Ashley Scenic River Advisory Council The mission of this council is to promote ongoing stewardship of the Ashley River to protect and enhance its natural, cultural and scenic qualities for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The group is comprised of private landowners, conservation groups, and state and local agencies. 2007 donors The Lowcountr y Open Land Trust expresses our gratitude to our 2007 donors at the following levels. Foundations and Donor-Advised Funds Anonymous Alexander & Jacqueline G.Moore Memorial to Stephen P. Earls Atlantic Services of Charleston Charitable Trust The Beaufort Fund of CCF Bradley-Turner Foundation The Brumley Family Foundation Trust Ceres Foundation Coastal Community Foundation Diane and Andrew Allen Fund Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Elizabeth C. Rivers Lewine Endowment of CCF ExxonMobil Foundation Festoon Foundation Foundation For The Carolinas Gary W. Dietrich Family Foundation The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation The George E. Crouch Foundation of Georgia Henry M. Blackmer Foundation Heritage Classic Foundation Historic Charleston Foundation Jane Smith Turner Foundation The Joanna Foundation John M. Rivers, Jr. Foundation Lacuna Corporation Longwood Plantation Foundation Lyndhurst Foundation Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust Merck Family Fund Mills Bee Lane Memorial Foundation MK Pentecost Fund of the Savannah Presbytery Nick and Jill Davidge Charitable Trust The Philanthropic Collaborative Price R. and Flora A. Reid Foundation Trust The Richardson Family Foundation Saul Alexander Foundation of CCF The Seymour H. Knox Foundation, Inc. Susan R. and John W. Sullivan Foundation Tomlin Family Fund of Donors Trust Trident United Way The Turner Foundation US Fish & Wildlife Service William M. Bird & Co., Inc. Endowment of CCF William M. Camp Foundation Yawkey Foundation We work hard to insure that all our donor names are listed correctly. However, occasionally mistakes do occur. Please contact the Development Office so we can keep our files as up to date as possible, and thank you for your event sponsors The Bank of South Carolina Blackbaud, Inc. The Brumley Family Foundation Trust Charleston Appraisal Service Daniel Island Associates, LLC Holcombe, Fair & Lane Investment Real Estate Tidewater Foods & Catering, LLC Van Smith Concrete Co. gifts in Kind Dixon Hughes PLLC Lee Helmer Design Tidewater Foods & Catering, LLC Jupiter Holdings, LLC Atlantic Tent Co. Carolina Catering Mr. Scott Y. Barnes Snyder Event Rentals & Staffing Half-Moon Outfitters Mr. and Mrs. Charley Webb Business Donors Sp o n s o r L e v e l ($2,500 +) The Bank of South Carolina Daniel Island Associates, LLC Dixon Hughes PLLC Holcombe, Fair & Lane Investment Real Estate Mackay Point Associates L.P. Van Smith Concrete Co. William M. Means Company Insurance Pat r o n L e v e l ($1,000 - $2499) Blackbaud, Inc. Charleston Appraisal Service First Federal of Charleston Greenwood Development Corp Jupiter Holdings, LLC Lee Helmer Design MeadWestvaco Morgan Stanley Community Affairs Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. R.G. Darby Rental Tidewater Foods & Catering, LLC B e n e fac t o r L e v e l ($750 - $999) Atlantic Tent Co. Berkeley Electric Cooperative Fleet Landing F r i e n d s L e v e l ($500 - $749) Carolina Catering Carolyn S. Griffith, LLC Interior Design Davis & Floyd, Inc. The GEL Group, Inc. Giant Cement Maybank Law Firm, LLC Robert Frank Land Surveying Worthwhile A s s o c i at e L e v e l ($250 - $499) Blitch Plumbing, Inc. Cape Romain Contractors, Inc. CDS Painting Coastal Expeditions Croghan’s Jewel Box Dwight L. Stewart, Jr. & Associates Frametastic Haddrell’s Point Tackle and Supply Half-Moon Outfitters Hartnett Realty Company, Inc. Mitchell Brothers Inc. Newkirk Environmental, Inc. The Peninsula Company LLC Salmons Dredging Corporation The Scott Trotter Company A d d i t i o n a l D o n at i o n s (Under $249) Sandy’s Guide Service Snyder Event Rentals & Staffing LOLT Trustee Charley Webb (far right) and his wife Martha Lynn Webb (far left) are pictured with members of the Mitchell family, easement donors from Beaufort, (l-r) Sally Mitchell, Lisa Philp and Katy Jones. contribution. 21 2007 I ndividual D onors P r e s e r v e D o n o r s ($5,000 +) Mr. and Mrs. James G. Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Brumley Mr. and Mrs. J. Henry Fair Jr. Mr. Paul L. King Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. MacDougal Mrs. Jan MacDougal Dr. and Mrs. Stuart McDaniel Mrs. Alexander Moore Mrs. Alfred Nathan Mr. and Mrs. Roy Richards Mr. John M. Rivers Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rockefeller Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stanback Mr. and Mrs. John W. Sullivan L a n d s c a p e D o n o r s ($2,500 - $4,999) Dr. and Mrs. Strachan Donnelley Mr. Stephen Gavel Mr. and Mrs. Batson L. Hewitt Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hill Ms. Catherine E. Sadler Dr. H. Del Schutte Jr. Mr. and Mrs. J. Rutledge Young Jr. P l a n tat i o n D o n o r s ($1,000 - $2,499) Mr. and Mrs. John J. Avlon Mr. and Mrs. Dana Beach Mr. and Mrs. William M. Camp III Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Coen Mr. and Mrs. Howard D. Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Todd Eischeid Mr. and Mrs. Stephen F. Gates Dr. Andrew Geer III and Dr. Susan E. Moore Mr. and Mrs. S. Parker Gilbert Mr. and Mrs. David Maybank Hagood Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hagood II Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hay Mr. and Mrs. Dean Harton Mr. and Mrs. William L. Hiott Jr. Mr. and Mrs. M. Whilden Hills Sr. Mr. H. Anthony Ittleson Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Jones Mrs. Northrup R. Knox Mr. and Mrs. Hugh C. Lane Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lane Mr. Peter O. Lawson-Johnston II Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Lee Mr. T. Cartter Lupton II Mr. and Mrs. Phil M. Maddox Mrs. Patricia Manigault Mr. and Mrs. Irenee duPont May Mr. and Mrs. David Maybank Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David Maybank III Mr. and Mrs. Barclay McFadden III Dr. Patrick O’Neil Mr. Charles Patrick and Dr. Celeste H. Patrick The Honorable and Mrs. Robert V. Royall Mr. M. Edward Sellers and Dr. Suzan D. Boyd Mr. and Mrs. T. Grange Simons V Mr. and Mrs. Donald Tomlin Mr. and Mrs. James C. Vardell III Mr. and Mrs. W. Crayton Walters III Mr. and Mrs. John Winthrop W o o d l a n d D o n o r s ($500 - $999) Mr. and Mrs. Scott Y. Barnes Ms. Louise D. Bennett Ms. Martha C. Black Mrs. Rebecca Blackman Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Blagden Jr. Dr. and Mrs. John G. P. Boatwright Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Bowe Ms. Charlotte Caldwell and Mr. Jeffrey Schutz Ms. Louise B. Clay Dr. and Mrs. Charles P. Darby Jr. Mrs. J. Hugh Davis Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Edmonds Mr. and Mrs. J. Bratton Fennell Dr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Franklin Ms. Mary French and Mr. Arno French Dr. and Mrs. Harry B. Gregorie Jr. Mr. Alvin Hammer Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hanlin Ms. Charlotte McCrady Hastie Dr. and Mrs. George H. Khoury Ms. Elizabeth C. Rivers Lewine Mr. and Mrs. Fulton D. Lewis Jr. Mr. Michael Mahoney Dr. Thomas R. Mather Ms. Tina Edwards Mayland and Mr. Lawrence Mayland Mr. and Mrs. Charles Measter Mr. Antony Merck Mr. and Mrs. Dudley L. Myers Mrs. Thomas E. Myers Mr. and Mrs. John D. Ohlandt Mr. Greg Padgett Ms. Margaret P. Schachte and Mr. Hal S. Currey Dr. Sally Self Mr. G. Dana Sinkler Mr. and Mrs. Huger Sinkler II Mr. and Mrs. D. Van Smith Sr. Dr. and Mrs. J. Richard Sosnowski Col. and Mrs. George B. Stackhouse III Mr. and Mrs. James T. Truesdale Mr. Alvin R. Veronee Jr. Dr. and Mrs. D. P. von Lehe Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Webb III W e t l a n d D o n o r s ($250 - $499) Mr. Winthrop Allen Ms. Johanna Allston and Mr. Edward Swinnerton Mr. and Mrs. William D. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Ed Arrington Mr. and Mrs. J. Miles Barkley Ms. Susan Battle-McDonald “A Garden Is Never Finished.” Gardener Jan MacDougal likes to quote this Japanese saying. On her many trips to Japan, she has overheard discussions about gardens “becoming” rather than “being.” This idea also characterizes Jan’s involvement with the Lowcountry Open Land Trust. Jan and her husband John began supporting the land trust at its inception, initially as members at the minimum gift level. Overtime, Jan’s passion for the work of the land trust grew. “I’ve been lucky enough to see the world, from the Cape of Good Hope, to Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, and all over Europe and nowhere is it more beautiful than in the Lowcountry of South Carolina,” says Jan. So, she budgeted an ever-escalating contribution to LOLT each year, until she realized in 2007 that her total gifts had nearly reached $100,000. “No one was more surprised than I, but it made me feel great to write that extra check to achieve that nice round number.” Upon reflection, Jan mused, “I could have bought a piece of art each year or margaret p. blackmer a rare book, but nothing means more to me than helping save the land I love. 22 Forever is an investment that yields a big payback!” Three years ago, Jan’s commitment to the land trust continued to evolve when she joined the Board of Trustees. “I didn’t set out with this goal in mind, but if my story inspires others to support their passions, then it will continue to reap rewards.” Just like a garden, becoming…. Mr. Martin Bluford and Ms. Cara L. White Mr. and Mrs. David P. Brown Dr. and Mrs. G. Stephen Buck The Honorable and Mrs. George E. Campsen III Mr.and Mrs. Steven Conte Mr. and Mrs. Nick Davidge Mr. John G. Davis Miss Nancy-Carroll Draper Mr. and Mrs. Howard D. Edwards Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Eiserhardt Jr. Mr. James E. Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Ellison II Mr. Mark Essig and Ms. Martha Craft-Essig Mr. and Mrs. W. Foster Gaillard Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Grimball Mr. and Mrs. David Grubbs The Honorable and Mrs. Benjamin A. Hagood Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Hay Jr. Mr. Richard F. Hendry Dr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Herbert Jr. Mr. Rick Horger Mr. and Mrs. Ozey K. Horton Jr. Mr. and Mrs. R. Walter Hundley Mr. Robert H. Huntoon Ms. Mary Pope M. Hutson Dr. and Mrs. Robert G. Irvin Mr. Harry L. Johnson Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Johnson Mrs. Katharine Knott Mr. and Mrs. James K. Kuyk Mrs. Beverly G. Lane Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Lane Mr. Merrill D. Lester Ms. Elizabeth S. Lipscomb Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lofton Sr. Mr. and Mrs. John M. Lundin Ms. Lindsay G. Luther Dr. and Mrs. John C. Maize Dr. W. Theo Mattison Mr. and Mrs. T. Hunter McEaddy Mr. and Mrs. Michael N. McGinty Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. McInerney III Mr. and Mrs. William J. McKenzie Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Menefee Jr. Mr. Jessie A. Mikell Mr. and Mrs. Mills Lane Morrison Miss Anna O’Quinn Mr. Thomas C. Peters Mr. and Mrs. Graeme F. Philp Vice Adm. Douglas C. Plate The Honorable and Mrs. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Ms. Diana Reed Mr. and Mrs. Claron A. Robertson III Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sarnoff Miss Elizabeth Settle Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Sharry Mr. and Mrs. William Ray Sutton Dr. and Mrs. W. Wallace Vaught Mr. and Mrs. G. Trenholm Walker Dr. and Mrs. E. K. Wallace Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher Waller, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kurt O. Wassen V i s ta D o n o r s ($100 - $249) Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Allen Dr. and Mrs. James Allen The Right Reverend and Mrs. C. Fitzsimmons Allison Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Applegate Ms. Josephine B. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Archie E. Baker Dr. and Mrs. J. G. Baldwin Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Barr Mr. and Mrs. William J. Bates Dr. Carolyn C. Battle Mrs. Robert N. Bavier Jr. Ms. Katrina H. Becker Ms. Allison Bello Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Bischoff Mrs. Mary Black Miss Margaret P. Blackmer Dr. and Mrs. Bo Blessing Mr. and Mrs. John H. Boineau Dr. and Mrs. Walter M. Bonner Jr. Mr. Charles Boyce Mr. and Mrs. C. Thomas Bryant Dr. and Mrs. William Y. Buchanan Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Cain Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Capelli Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Carr Dr. and Mrs. John A. Colwell Mr. and Mrs. Mark Crawford Mr. and Mrs. William Davis Mrs. Louis Y. Dawson III Ms. Ann Dibble Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. H. Dodge Ms. Patricia Failla Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Ferguson Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Fleming Mr. and Mrs. Eric G. Friberg Miss Brenda J. Gall Mr. and Mrs. A. Eugene Geer Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William Jenkins Gibbs Maj. Gen. and Mrs. James A. Grimsley Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth S. Gustafson Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Hagood Sr. Dr. and Mrs. Langdon A. Hartsock Will and Connie Haynie Mr. and Mrs. Todd E. Henderson Mr. and Mrs. R. Scott Hood Ms. Janet Hopkins Mrs. Mary Means Hutson Mr. and Mrs. Raymond L. Jacobs Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Edgar S. Jaycocks Jr. Mrs. Harriott Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Johnson Mr. Harold W. Jones Ms. Patricia C. Jones Mr. Christopher Jones Mr. H. Mikell Jones Mr. James O. Kempson Mr. and Mrs. John F. Kinney The Honorable and Mrs. John R. Kuhn Ms. Jessica Lee Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Lee Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Chisolm Leonard Mr. and Mrs. Scott Liipfert Dr. and Mrs. Irwin G. Linton Jr. Mr. and Mrs. C. Boyd Loadholt Mr. and Mrs. Elliot D. Lobel Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Lockwood Mr. and Mrs. Stephen W. Malley Ms. Carolyn Marshall and Mr. Michael Marshall Mr. and Mrs. William McGowan Matthew Mr. Peter Maybank Mr. Hugh McDaniel Mr. Wallace E. McIntyre Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. McShane Mr. John W. Meffert Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Michaeli Ms. Sara H. Michelin Ms. Mary Alice Monroe Mr. John M. Moore and Caroline V. Beeland Mr. and Mrs. Edmond N. Moriarty Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. New Mr. and Mrs. William K. Oelsner Mrs. Anne P. Olsen Mrs. Louis Parker Jr. Mr. and Mrs. W. Scott Parker Mr. and Mrs. Wilson R. Pierpont Dr. Richard Porcher and Ms. Phyllis Ewing 2007 LOLT picnic at a Longwood Plantation Please become a donor by using the enclosed envelope. 23 2007 I ndividual D onors Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Ragin Mrs. Marguerite W. Rathbun Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Ravenel Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rice Sr. BG and Mrs. Francis D. Rogers Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David Rosengren Mr. H. Middleton Rutledge Mr. and Mrs. John I. Saalfield Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Scholz Mr. and Mrs. John M. Settle Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Simmons Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Sedgwick L. Simons Dr. and Mrs. William M. Simpson Jr. Mr. J. H. Small Mr. and Mrs. Don Smith Mr. and Mrs. Park Smith Jr. Mayor and Mrs. Carl J. Smith Col. and Mrs. Norman W. Smith Jr. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Smyth Jr. Ms. Mary R. E. Staats and Mr. Charles Staats Ms. Patricia Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Swanson Ms. Martha A. Teichner Mr. Clyde Timmons Mr. John F. Tomlin Mr. Richard Watkins Mrs. Mary T. Whaley Mr. and Mrs. Frederick J. Whittle Mr. and Mrs. George W. Williams Mr. Cope M. Willis Mr. and Mrs. David Wilson Ms. Audrey Windsor Mrs. Alston Osgood Wolf Dr. and Mrs. G. Frederick Worsham Jr. B u f f e r D o n o r s ($50 - $99) Mr. and Mrs. C. Robertson Allen Ms. Amy E. Armstrong Mr. Robert M. Baldwin Dr. and Mrs. William H. Barnwell II Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Berretta Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Bloch Dr. and Mrs. John C. Bonner Mr. Buddy Bramlett Mr. Lee Brockington Ms. Margaret F. Brooks Dr. and Mrs. Alton G. Brown III Mr. and Mrs. Tom Browne Mr. and Mrs. William Buxton Dr. and Mrs. William C. Carter III Mr. and Mrs. Belk Daughtridge Ms. Patricia H. Dennis and Mr. Kent MacDougal Ms. Ferdinan S. Dodds Mr. and Mrs. Gaillard T. Dotterer Mr. and Mrs. John Dukes Mr. and Mrs. Brian Duncan Dr. and Mrs. Haskell S. Ellison Ms. Henrietta J. Evatt Mr. and Mrs. Alfred J. Finch Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Harold I. Fox Mr. and Mrs. E. D. George Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James I. Gray Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Hall Mr. and Mrs. Adam Haly Mr. and Mrs. William L. Hart Jr. Mr. Frank Hay Jr. 24 Ms. Sara H. Hinkle Mr. and Mrs. Al Hitchcock Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Hite Mr. and Mrs. Guy R. Hollister Mr. and Mrs. John K. Hopkins Dr. and Mrs. D. Michael Hull Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Hutson Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Hutson Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. Anthony P. Keinath Mr. and Mrs. R. Hunter Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Christopher King Mr. and Mrs. William Krucke Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Ladd Mr. William Lesesne Mr. and Mrs. Richards C. Lewis Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Long Mr. and Mrs. Glen Maitland Mr. James McAlister III Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. McCarty Dr. and Mrs. Layton McCurdy Dr. and Mrs. Kelly T. McKee Ms. Elisabeth P. McLean Mr. John McLure Dr. and Mrs. Edmund B. McMahon Ms. Janette Moody Ms. Rosalyn G. Morrison Mr. and Mrs. Beau Mueller Ms. Linnea Rogers-Northon and Mr. Walter A. Notton Mr. and Mrs. Donald Nye Mr. and Mrs. D. Henry Ohlandt Mr. Roy H. Owen Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Parker Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Parsell Jr. Mr. Daniel A. Payne Mr. and Mrs. Alfred G. Pinckney Mr. and Mrs. Mason Pope Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Read Ms. Jeanne B. Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Rosen Ms. Marjorie Ross Capt. Edward K. Sanders Ms. Katherine Schweikart Captain and Mrs. Raymond H. Setser Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Simons Jr. Ms. Caroline Sinkler Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Slocum Mr. and Mrs. Bachman S. Smith III Dr. and Mrs. C. D. Smith III Ms. Starr W. Snead Mr. Dan Sneed Mr. and Mrs. Theodore D. Stoney Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Stewart Ms. Veronica Stewart and Mr. John Stewart Ms. Katina Strauch Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Thomas Dr. George J. Tompkins III Mr. H. Evans Townsend Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John S. Whaley Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Porter Wiley Mr. and Mrs. Bright Williamson Ac r e D o n o r s ($35 - $49) Mr. and Mrs. James M. Abercrombie Mrs. Angus G. Baker Mrs. Evelyn Jean Berner Mr. Tom Bradford and Ms. Susan Bass Mr. Elwyn Cahaly Mr. and Mrs. Alan Carothers Ms. Margaret H. Carter Mr. Robert Chalfant Ms. Lynn C. Chiappone Mr. Joe Clarke Ms. Katie Comerford Mr. Ellerbe G. Dargan Mr. Timothy C. Dargan Ms. Lee Dauby Ms. Lou E. Edens Ms. Shirley M. Fry Mr. Britt Gilbert Mr. Gray Harley Ms. Patricia W. Hartley Mrs. David C. Humphreys Mr. Darrell T. Johnson Jr. Mr. Christopher Keith Mr. and Mrs. L. Buist Kerrison Ms. Angelyn Ladue Mr. Roger R. Lebel Mr. Matthew Lockhart Mrs. Grace R. Lorimer Mr. John W. McCord Ms. Susan V. Mountrey Mr. Karl F. Ohlandt Mrs. Marguerite Davis Palmer Mr. Horry Parker Jr. Ms. Doris Pearce Mr. David L. Porter Dr. William L. Pritchard Mr. and Mrs. J. Cheshire Rhett Mr. John Rice Mr. William Y. W. Ripley Mrs. Carroll W. Rivers Mr. and Mrs Milo Ryan Mr. and Mrs. John Siegling Mr. and Mrs. William D. Smyth Mrs. Nancy C. Smythe Mrs. Bonnie C Sykes Mr. David Thompson Mr. Thomas E. Thornhill Mr. John F. Van Dalen Mr. Frank E. Weston Ms. Maria Whitehead Mr. Erick Williams Mr. and Mrs. Franklin E. Yates A d d i t i o n a l D o n at i o n s Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Alford Mr. and Mrs. Arthur F. Doty Mr. and Mrs. J. Palmer Gaillard III Mr. and Mrs. David Hoffman Ms. Sarah Jenkins Mr. Richard C. Light Mr. and Mrs. Michael B. Prevost Dr. William H. Prioleau Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Warren III Mr. Francis A. Wayne Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Weinheimer Ms. Jennie M. Williamson Mr. D. R. Wiseman 2007 Audited R esults Unrestricted TemporarilyPermanently Restricted RestrictedTotal Support and Revenue Membership Dues and Contributions 254,193 20,000 274,193 Grants 398,198 398,198 Special Events 17,840 17,840 Investment Return 187,870 187,870 Transfer Fees 29,133 29,133 Landowner Gifts 2,800 2,800 Miscellaneous Income 6,122 6,122 Total Support and Revenue 896,156 20,000 916,156 125,511 1,021,667 (125,511) (105,511) 916,156 Program Services Management and General Fundraising 452,403 105,259 148,607 452,403 105,259 148,607 Total Expenses Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets 706,269 315,398 (105,511) 706,269 209,887 Net Assets Released from Restriction Total Support, Revenue and Release Expenses NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR 2,745,770 261,242 620,132 3,627,144 $ 3,061,168 $ 155,731 $ 620,132 $ 3,837,031 margaret p. blackmer NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 25 margaret p. blackmer LOWCOUNTRY OPEN L AND TRUST 485 E a s t B ay S t r e e t Ch a r l e s ton , S C 29403 T e l 843.577.6510 Fax 843.577.0501 w e b si t e www. lo lt. o r g This annual report is printed on recycled paper. Please recycle by passing it along to a friend or donating it to a doctor’s office, school, retirement home or library. Photography by Margaret P. Blackmer and LOLT Staff Design by Lee Helmer Design