About Us

Our Purpose

South Carolina Land Trust Network unites land trusts to amplify the power of permanent land conservation. 

We advocate, educate, and foster collaboration on behalf of the South Carolina Land Trust community. 

Photo credit: Adam Wolf

Our Purpose


South Carolina Land Trust Network unites land trusts to amplify the power of permanent land conservation. 


We advocate, educate, and foster collaboration on behalf of the South Carolina Land Trust community. 

What We DO

EDUCATE


We work to increase public awareness
and knowledge of the benefits, needs and tools
of land conservation; and provide professional development opportunities for our members.

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    Photo credit: Adam Wolf

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COLLABORATE


We work closely with state agencies such as the Conservation Bank, Department of Natural Resources, State Parks; as well as allied conservation organizations; and bring together members in small groups to identify and act on opportunities to increase the pace of land protection in the state. 

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    Photo credit: Adam Wolf

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  • A field of goldenrod

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    Photo credit: Adam Wolf

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COLLABORATE


We work closely with state agencies such as the Conservation Bank, Department of Natural Resources, State Parks; as well as allied conservation organizations; and bring together members in small groups to identify and act on opportunities to increase the pace of land protection in the state. 

ADVOCATE


We work with local, state and federal leaders to identify and promote opportunities to incentivize private landowners to protect their property. Our Policy Committee is a membership benefit that coordinates efforts to promote beneficial legislation. 

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    Photo credit: Adam Wolf

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Who We Are

Lyles Cooper→ 

CHAIR

Pee Dee Land Trust

Stuart White→ 

VICE CHAIR

Congaree Land Trust

Kristin Williams→ 

TREASURER

Open Land Trust - Beaufort

Chris Vaughn→ 

SECRETARY

Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust

Peter Kleinhenz→ 

AT LARGE

Aiken Land Conservancy

Michelle Evans→ 

AT LARGE

Katawba Valley Land Trust

Vacant→

AT LARGE

Land Trust staff

Jennifer Howard→ 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Our Core Values

  • We have a passion for our mission, landowners, and conservation: We believe that passion drives land protection. We seek to support members and their work; and engage landowners and their advisors in the protection of special places.
  • We are strategic thinkers, planners: We believe in thoughtful and forward-thinking strategic planning both for our organization and for the conservation landscape in South Carolina.
  • We are community connected: We believe in this strength of partnerships and actively seek to identify, build and nurture relationships with individuals and organizations that share our vision.
  • We possess and seek conservation knowledge: We have a relentless curiosity, and eagerness to share and learn; and a commitment to pass conservation knowledge on to others.
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History

  1. 1990s
  2. 2015
  3. 2016
  4. Early 2017
  5. Late 2017
  6. 2020
  7. 2023
  8. 2024
  1. Volunteer leaders collaborate

    Leaders from various land trusts around South Carolina began meeting informally to discuss shared interests, obstacles, and opportunities to collaborate. The group identified itself as the South Carolina Land Trust Network.

  2. Organization begins to formalize

    Volunteers took steps toward creating an organizational structure with a board of directors and standing committees of land trust representatives from around the state.

  3. Feasibility study launched

    In January 2016, a feasibility study was initiated by volunteer stakeholders throughout South Carolina to determine how to strengthen the SC Land Trust Network.

  4. Together SC becomes LTN’s fiscal agent

    By Fall 2017, Together SC, a statewide organization representing non-profits, provides administrative support, including serving as a fiscal sponsor.

  5. First major funding granted

    SCLTN secured an organizational development grant from The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation to implement the plan of work and to establish SCLTN as a formal organization.

  6. First paid executive director hired

    Jennifer Howard came to the Network after a 20-year career with a Fortune 500 forest products company where she spent the majority of her career in media relations.

  7. Formalized non-profit

    LTN is recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service.

  8. First formal strategic plan completed