News

Beginning her career in conservation almost thirty years ago, Ashley Demosthenes now serves as President and CEO of the Lowcountry Land Trust (LLT) and brings a wealth of knowledge to the South Carolina Land Trust Network (SCLTN).

September 5, 2024 - Columbia, SC - The South Carolina Land Trust today honored Senator Nikki Setzler for his lifetime of contributions to conservation in South Carolina. During the organization's Fall Member meeting, Setzler was presented with a coffee table book on the Cowassee Basin, an expansive area in the heart of Senate District 26 which he has represented for the last forty-eight years. Inside the front cover was a signed Board Resolution that read: In recognition and profound appreciation of Senator Nikki Setzler’s Service to the State of South Carolina Whereas South Carolina is blessed with rich and abundant natural, historical, and cultural resources and remarkable beauty; Whereas protecting these special places is paramount to our enviable quality of life and to the thousands of jobs provided by industries that depend on natural places; Whereas effective land protection work relies on committed people and proactive policies; Whereas for forty-seven years, Senator Nikki Setzler has served the people of South Carolina through his leadership in the South Carolina Senate, notably as Chairman of the Senate Finance Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee; Whereas his bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the South Carolina Conservation Bank have ensured the permanent protection of hundreds of special places, including the recently expanded Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve; Whereas he has championed conservation funding and voted in support of policies that financially incentivize private landowners to permanently protect their working farm and forestlands; Whereas his steadfast leadership has positioned investment in voluntary land conservation as an essential aspect of state governance to balance growth with quality of life today and for future generations:  Now, therefore, be it Resolved that the South Carolina Land Trust Network Board of Directors this fifth day of September 2024 formally acknowledges and extends its deepest appreciation for Senator Nikki Setzler’s exemplary service to the people of South Carolina.

Camp Awanita permanently protected by The Nature Conservancy

State and local leaders along with outdoor enthusiasts gathered today to get a first glimpse from the scenic ridge of the 1,090-acre Saluda Bluff property acquired by Naturaland Trust earlier this year. Located in the bullseye of decades of conservation work and public lands that defines the upcountry of South Carolina, visitors to Saluda Bluff can get a birds’ eye view of more than 10,000 acres of protected properties. Additionally, the significant amount of frontage along the Saluda River along with the adjoining floodplain made this project a priority for the South Carolina Office of Resilience. The southern property line contains nearly a mile of Scenic Highway 11. By utilizing $7 million of State Appropriated funds, SCDNR expects to receive ownership of the property no later than early 2025.

Pee Dee Land Trust works with landowners to protect 3,708 acres on the Great Pee Dee River

One of the most significant conservation projects in Aiken County history recently crossed the finish line. On May 15th, Aiken Land Conservancy closed on a conservation easement that permanently protects 2,658 acres of land seven miles north of Aiken owned by the City of Aiken.  The property, known as the Shaws Creek Preserve, includes and surrounds the 92-acre Mason Branch Reservoir, a water source for nearly 25% of Aiken’s residents. Additionally, the property includes frontage along Shaws Creek and several of its tributaries, unique rock outcroppings, numerous wetlands, and pine uplands undergoing restoration to a longleaf pine ecosystem. Read more here.