Land Successfully Acquired for Future State Park on the Catawba River Will Preserve Culturally Significant Native American Resources

Dorchester County donated $4,125,000 in Greenbelt funds to the Open Space Institute towards the purchase of the Beech Hill Tract, a 1,644-acre property on Old Beech Hill Road between the Edisto River Wildlife Management Area and Givhan’s Ferry State Park in the East Edisto area of Dorchester County. The property will be transferred to the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) and will become a State Forest, managed and operated by the SCFC. The property will be open to the public with recreational opportunities, such as wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking, and biking.  Read the full story on the Dorchester County website.

Greenville County's Historic & Natural Resources Trust partnered with the Community Foundation of Greenville to survey voters about their views on use of their tax dollars to protect open space. The results were overwhelmingly positive: Controlling growth and development topped the list of concerns; 91% were concerned about loss of open space; and 93.3% supported keeping funding at $2Million/year with a whopping 66% saying, invest more! Read the survey on the Greenville Historic and Natural Resources Trust website.

Jasper County’s Chelsea Plantation – the site of a proposed development that drew widespread, vocal opposition from citizens throughout the Lowcountry – has been purchased for conservation. The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina (TNC-SC) today announced the acquisition of the 2,737-acre property, identified as a high priority for conservation and under significant threat of development. Read the full story on The Nature Conservancy website.

Lowcountry Land Trust is excited to announce the permanent protection of the 35-acre Holly Grove property, which will serve as an official addition to the Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel, South Carolina. In collaboration with the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), this strategic acquisition expands public access to nature, enhances water quality, and ensures the long-term conservation of vital habitats in one of Charleston County’s most ecologically and recreationally valuable public spaces. Read the full story on the Lowcountry Land Trust website .

STRATEGIC CONSERVATION PROJECTS DIRECTOR Position Type: Full-time Reporting: Chief Conservation Officer Location: Negotiable within the Coastal Plain of South Carolina POSITION SUMMARY The Strategic Conservation Projects Director is a senior-level, mission-driven, and highly motivated land protection staff member who plays a key role on the Lowcountry Land Trust Conservation Team. This person is instrumental in ensuring the Land Trust’s long-term success by focusing on catalyzing and leading large, complex, and/or highly strategic land protection projects across South Carolina’s coastal plain. Central to this effort is the building, nurturing, and maintenance of strong relationships with key stakeholders, including but not limited to landowners, nonprofit and government partners, and funders. This position regularly engages with a portfolio of owners of strategically important unprotected land; cultivates Lowcountry Land Trust’s use of new, untapped, and/or complex sources of land protection funding; leverages impact capital and conservation investor capital for land protection; develops innovative partnerships and methods for leveraging protection by other entities; provides guidance to other Lowcountry Land Trust project managers; and otherwise contributes to Lowcountry Land Trust’s collective conservation strategies. Click here for more information .

Lowcountry Land Trust is proud to announce the permanent protection of an additional portion of Fairfield Plantation—an ecologically rich and historically significant property located on the South Santee River at the gateway to Charleston County along both sides of U.S. Highway 17. Read the full story on the Lowcountry Land Trust website.

Position Basics Type: Full-time Reports to: Board of Trustees Manages: Chief Advancement Officer, Chief Conservation Officer, Controller, Operations Director, Chief Operations Officer & General Counsel Location: Charleston, SC Overview The President/CEO leads Lowcountry Land Trust, overseeing all operations and working closely with the Board and community stakeholders. This person must be passionate about land conservation, committed to excellence, and strategic about future growth. Key Responsibilities Leadership Develop and implement the Strategic Plan, including focused pursuit of land conservation opportunities Complete the "It Can't Wait Campaign" Oversee the Lowcountry Center for Conservation and Angel Oak Preserve Manage senior staff to execute plans and initiatives Ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance requirements Develop and implement the annual budget Maintain high ethical standards Relationships Lead fundraising and marketing strategies Build relationships and connect with major donors, current and potential owners of easement properties, other conservation organizations, and staff. Engage with community partners Position Lowcountry Land Trust as a thought leader through media and communications Requirements Bachelor's degree 10+ years of progressive career experience in a conservation or related field Proven success in fundraising activities (or other means of maintaining financial stability) Fiscal management experience, including understanding of budgets and financial reports, necessary to ensure organizational stability Leadership experience and strong organizational skills Excellent communication abilities Residence in or willing to relocate to Lowcountry; local travel required Preferred Advanced degree or professional certification Executive experience in conservation or related fields Nonprofit leadership experience Real estate transactional experience Significant involvement in capital campaigns Board/community involvement experience Benefits $125,000 to $180,000 (with potential for bonuses) commensurate with experience Comprehensive health insurance (95% employer paid) Full dental, life, and disability coverage 403(b) retirement with up to 6% match toward retirement account Self-managed PTO and 11 paid holidays Paid Maternity/paternity leave Partial mobile phone reimbursement How to Apply Submit resume and cover letter to: Lowcountry Land Trust Search Committee c/o Sarah Evans Sprinkle sarah@ssphilanthropy.com (864) 314-9772 *More detailed Job Description may be found on the Lowcountry Land Trust web page Lowcountry Land Trust is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity, and to comply with all federal, state, and local laws that are applicable to equal employment. Click here for more information.

The island consists of 28 acres of upland habitat surrounded by 393 acres of salt marsh. Thanks to a fully donated conservation easement, this pristine landscape will continue to support thriving wildlife, clean waterways, and the natural beauty of the Lowcountry. Read the full story on the Lowcountry Land Trust website.

This March, the Open Land Trust completed a project in partnership with the Rhodes family and key partner organizations to permanently protect 900 acres of their family land in the heart of the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin. This property known as Essex Farms includes 2.3 miles of river frontage, highly productive farm and forest land, and plays a vital role in maintaining the rural character of the Dale community in northern Beaufort County. Read the full story on the Open Land Trust website.