Lyles Cooper Appointed Board Chair of the South Carolina Land Trust Network
February 15, 2025
The South Carolina Land Trust Network announced today that Lyles Cooper, Executive Director of Pee Dee Land Trust, has assumed the Board Chair role. She succeeds Ashley Demosthenes, who recently became the CEO of the Land Trust Alliance.
Cooper has been a respected leader within the network, having served multiple terms as Treasurer and as one of the founding board members when the organization secured its 501(c)(3) status and appointed its first executive director.
“The Network plays a crucial role in providing cohesive leadership for land protection efforts across the state,” said Cooper. “I am excited to collaborate with our executive director, volunteer leaders, and members as we implement our new strategic plan.”
Congaree Land Trust is proud to announce the permanent conservation of an additional 51.66 acres of land in Lexington County. This conservation success was made possible through a fully donated conservation easement from the Stone Family, whose gift ensures the lasting legacy of this cherished landscape. Read more here.
The GIS & Conservation Planning Manager is a mission-driven, personable, and self-motivated individual. This position is critical to the successful and efficient function of the Conservation Department, in addition to serving as a cross-departmental resource for the organization. This GIS & Conservation Planning Manager is responsible for creating and managing all of the GIS (Geographic Information System) data, the ArcGIS Online web maps and the ArcGIS Field Maps app, the Landscape database portfolio and spatial data; and creating maps for prospective easements, legal documents, conservation value analysis, planning initiatives, and events. The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a significant number of concurrent projects underway at all times. How to Apply: Application Instructions: To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, four (4) references (including someone who has supervised you), and three (3) examples of mapping created personally by you; in one PDF addressed to careers@lowcountrylandtrust.org . To learn more, click here.
The GIS & Conservation Planning Manager is a mission-driven, personable, and self-motivated individual. This position is critical to the successful and efficient function of the Conservation Department, in addition to serving as a cross-departmental resource for the organization. This GIS & Conservation Planning Manager is responsible for creating and managing all of the GIS (Geographic Information System) data, the ArcGIS Online web maps and the ArcGIS Field Maps app, the Landscape database portfolio and spatial data; and creating maps for prospective easements, legal documents, conservation value analysis, planning initiatives, and events. The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a significant number of concurrent projects underway at all times. How to Apply: Application Instructions: To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, four (4) references (including someone who has supervised you), and three (3) examples of mapping created personally by you; in one PDF addressed to careers@lowcountrylandtrust.org . To learn more, click here.
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 .
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.
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.
