— Journal of the — Lowcountry Open Land Trust WINTER 2013

Saving a Sea Island Treasure th B rown e th Elizab Our mission is to honor the relationship between people and land by protecting irreplaceable Lowcountry lands.

A message from the President and Executive Director

“To have a place, to live and belong in a place, to healthy lands and waters of our region sustain us in myriad ways, live from a place without destroying it, we must seen and unseen. Without them, we would be a much ­different imagine it. By imagination we see it illuminated people. by its own unique character and by our love for it.” Today, we as a community face the formidable challenge set forth — Wendell Berry, author and farmer in the second portion of Wendell Berry’s statement, “ . . . to live For many modern Americans, Wendell Berry’s words evoke from a place without destroying it.” Here in the Lowcountry we are a distant recollection; a long ago, nearly irretrievable past. fortunate to still be grounded, and able to experience and know Many find it difficult to imagine such a place, much less to love firsthand our distinctive landscape. As Berry implies, however, this such a place and confer upon it character and value. At every is not enough. push of a button, modern life suppresses such sentiment. At In order to keep from destroying this beloved place, we must bring every push of a button, the possibility of stepping down on to light its meaning in our lives – both physically and spiritually – such a place becomes more remote. and recognize how our well-being is utterly dependent upon it. As hundreds of sea islanders and Charlestonians gathered Last year, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust embarked on just such a around Angel Oak on Sunday, November 3rd, we were struck thought-provoking exercise when it called upon the community to by our community’s good fortune “to have a place, to live explore and articulate its relationship to the Lowcountry’s abundant and belong in a place,” as Wendell Berry so poignantly states. natural resources and beauty; to envision a future where growth The prayers and songs of Reverend Capers, Father Snyder and conservation are in harmony. and Queen Quet floated up and out among the ponderous This year’s successful campaign to save Angel Oak – which you will branches of the mighty oak, reminding us of our connections read about in this newsletter – is a perfect expression of the kind to generations past, present and future – connections rooted of imagining that Berry exhorts us to engage in, where we begin to in the hallowed ground beneath our feet. see and understand a place “illuminated by its own unique charac- Places like Angel Oak and the surrounding farmlands and ter and by our love for it.” creeks are not unique to John’s Island. The Emancipation Oak and fertile fields of Saint Helena Island comprise such a place, as does Point of Pines on Edisto, Middleton Oak along the banks of the Ashley, the giant cypress of Four Hole Swamp, the historic rice fields of the Santee Delta and Winyah Bay, and the longleaf pinelands of Sandy Island. The inventory of Low-

country landmarks—to which all of us can feel attached—is r me blessedly vast. lack t P. B P. t

Furthermore, our attachment to the land and water is not e just an abstract concept. It is real – as real to the Lowcountry Margar farmer plowing his field as it is to the family buying his pro- duce from the local grocer; as real to the fisherman unloading his catch at the dock as it is to friends celebrating the holidays J. Rutledge Young Jr. with an oyster roast, and as real to the forester planting his Elizabeth M. Hagood President, Board of Trustees Executive Director seedlings as it is to the workers in the saw mill. Indeed, the

2 Saving a Sea Island Treasure Angel Oak is one of the largest living live oaks, with a girth of 25 feet, a height of 65 feet, and a canopy that stretches more than 1,889 square yards. Its longest limb measures almost 90 feet. r, Jr. r, e . Moor C . m as ho T

3 4 T of the Angel Oak to inspire and unify us.” unify and inspire to Oak Angel of the power the from it stems “I believe Hagood. Elizabeth Director Trust Land time,” says short avery in achievement amazing opportunity. the given preserve, of the expansion possible as well as programming, educational associated and Preserve Oak Angel of the design and for planning money additional provides It also II. Phase as 17-acre for the known price tract asking $3.6 million the cover to enough is sum impressive The million. $4 more than of total agrand raised Campaign Oak Angel the contributions, and nonprofit corporate significant and gifts, foundation ous thousand. ten to dollars three from ranging checks sent and check-out, Wiggly Piggly the at adonation added John’s businesses, local at Island jars in coins dropped citizens unchurched, and churched rural, and urban old, and young white, and Black tree. asacred safeguard to together came world, the around from friends with along Charlestonians, his “The community has come together and accomplished an an accomplished and together come has community “The gener grants, bank land of public support added the With

spring legacy a grand

and

summer , thousands of sea islanders and and islanders of sea , thousands - for aGrand Tree ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ C N amp D N grant $890,000 N campaign fundraising in to the Board Bank participate Conservation Carolina South October 1: S July 31 17:July July 16 which approvesCommittee the grant July 11 July 11 Board Bank July 8 (aka extension) period day option 90 June 30 M proves $2.4 million grant vation Bank grant the proves days 90 additional an for toextend ability with tract II Phase chase eptember 30 ovember 16 ovember 6 ovember 1 ecember 19 : Land Trust secures initial 90 day option period topur period day option 90 initial Trustarch 30 secures : Land aign Timeline : Land Trust submits application to Charleston Greenbelt Greenbelt toCharleston application Trust submits : Land : Presentation to Charleston County Council- Finance Finance Council- County toCharleston : Presentation ap Meeting Board Bank Greenbelt Country : Charleston : Land Trust: Land to application submits Conser Carolina South : Charleston County Council Meeting and final vote ap vote final and Meeting Council County : Charleston : Close of first 90 day option period – beginning of second second of beginning – period dayoption 90 first of : Close L and T Beginning of “special” extension period to allow toallow period extension “special” of Beginning : Angel Oak Campaign reaches 10,000 donors : South Carolina Conservation Bank approves Bank : Conservation Carolina South : Scheduled closing of Angel Oak Preserve Preserve Oak Angel of closing : Scheduled : Close of special extension period extension special of : Close : Close of second 90 day option period day option 90 second of : Close rust fundraising launches community campaign - - - - Thomas C. Moorer, Jr. Citizens Rally to Protect Angel Oak

Instead of chainsaws and backhoes, rooftops and park- Angel Oak Preserve will also include a new forest park for ing lots, the future for Angel Oak will be serene and green. outdoor classrooms, serving nearby Haut Gap and other island Thanks to some 10,000 individual donors from all corners of the schools. The preserve will further enrich this well-known cross- United States and the world, more than twenty local businesses, roads by providing a new community gathering place to celebrate several large gifts from Charleston institutions and nonprofits, and interpret sea island culture. In addition, the preserve will pro- and ­significant grants from the tect valuable freshwater wetlands that ­Charleston County Greenbelt Bank connect to Bohicket Creek, whose and South Carolina Conservation waters still yield plentiful fish and Bank, a natural preserve will for- shellfish for the community. ever surround John’s Island’s Angel Oak. The threat of hundreds of Rooted in History apartments and thousands more It took just four months for the Low- cars is no more. country Open Land Trust and its With critical support from the conservation and community partners “angels” mentioned above (and on to raise the money to establish Angel the previous page), the Lowcoun- Oak Preserve. How that acreage came try Open Land Trust successfully to be for sale is a story that begins raised more than $4 million, over much earlier, reaching back several and above the $3.6 million needed years, and rooted in the centuries-old to complete the purchase of 17 acres story of the mighty tree and its sur- adjacent to Angel Oak, known as rounding farmlands and forest. Phase II. The additional monies Claimed by English brothers provide funds for planning, design Jacob and Abraham Waight in the and associated educational pro- early 1700s, the land on which Angel gramming for the preserve, and also Oak stands was part of a John’s Island open up opportunities for expan- plantation known as The Point. One sion. hundred years later, it was renamed Situated near the busy in- Angel Plantation when Abraham tersection of Maybank Highway, Waight’s great-great granddaughter, ­Bohicket and Main roads, the mag- Martha Waight – wife of Justus Angel nificent oak has faced an uncertain – inherited the property in 1810. future over the last 50 years. The Angel Oak would remain in campaign to permanently safeguard the storied tree demonstrates the Angel family until 1959, when the tree and its surrounding a community’s capacity to enhance its environment rather than acreage were sold to Mutual Land and Development Corpora- diminish it. The new preserve – to be owned by the Lowcountry tion. That same year, Mutual Land and Development and the Open Land Trust and co-managed by the Charleston County Agricultural Society of South Carolina entered into an agreement Parks and Recreation Commission – will provide a vital buffer whereby the Agricultural Society would lease the Angel Oak lot for the small city park that currently encompasses the landmark for one dollar per year, entrusted­ with the stewardship and care of tree, helping to nurture and support its expansive root system and the ancient tree. canopy, and preserve the rural context that the tree so powerfully In 1964, Angel Oak was acquired by real estate developer St. represents. Elmo “Speedy” Felkel, who allowed the Magnolia Garden Club to

5 ach e dana b dana (l-r) Richard “Shorty” Legare, Lorna Hattler, Pastor Bob Capers, Queen Quet, Elizabeth Hagood, Elizabeth Brown and Samantha Siegel

maintain the grounds around the oak. In 1966, the ­garden club way, Bohicket and Main roads, had come into ownership of the registered Angel Oak in the Live Oak Society, a national preserva- lands adjacent to Angel Oak. In 2005, faced with bankruptcy, the tion group that has registered more than 7,200 grand live oaks center sold their 42 acres to Angel Oak Village, LLC for $3.5 mil- from all over the South. lion. Angel Oak Village submitted plans for an extremely dense resi- dential and commercial development, featuring a big box retail store Weathering the Storm and several hundred residential units. The proposal approximated In 1988, Mayor Joe Riley announced in an in- the density of downtown Charleston, fifteen augural address his desire to establish a city park times more crowded than what zoning allowed showcasing Angel Oak. Speedy Felkel still owned in the densest areas of John’s Island. the property and had erected a solid wooden fence, tall enough that passersby could not view A New Day Dawns the tree unless they paid a $1 admission fee. The When her friend introduced her to Angel Oak mayor threatened condemnation by eminent in May of 2008, Samantha Siegel had only domain. Many sea islanders were wary of the recently arrived in the Lowcountry, living on city and supported Felkel’s defense of his private John’s Island and working as a waitress. “I’m property rights. Controversy ensued with local a nature girl and a birdwatcher and my friend and national media fanning the flames. knew I would love Angel Oak,” she recalls. Eventually, Felkel fell into arrears with prop- “From that day on, I became obsessed with this erty taxes on Angel Oak and in 1991, the IRS beautiful tree and started visiting nearly every auctioned off the tree and two acres. The City of day on my way to work. Then I began search- r

Charleston submitted a high bid of $127,900 and me ing the libraries and archives for everything I

formally opened Angel Oak Park on September lack could find about its history.”

23rd of the same year. Today, the small park with B P. t She and her friend Lorna found sanctuary e the grand tree receives some 36,000 visitors an- and peace under Angel Oak and believed it was argar

nually from around the world. m owed the same kind of respect one would pay As time went by, however, it became to an elder in the community. When she heard ­apparent that more acreage was needed to buffer the tree from that the land around the tree had been approved for development, expanding development in the area. In 2002, a referendum to she was compelled to act. She began a petition drive against the fund a Charleston County Greenbelt Bank was put to the vot- project, which garnered more than 12,000 signatures. Then she ers and Mayor Riley cited Angel Oak as a prime example of how and her friend Lorna Hattler co-founded a nonprofit called Save Greenbelt monies could be used to expand and enhance public the Angel Oak, calling on city leaders and environmental groups parklands. to take a stand. “I had never been an activist before, but I’ve al- Meanwhile, the nonprofit Sea Island Comprehensive Health ways been independent minded. Angel Oak gave me a purpose.” Care Center, which also sits at the intersection of Maybank High- In 2009, Samantha teamed up with the Coastal ­Conservation

6 League and called on a forest ecologist and a wetlands expert to examine the development proposal in relation to the site. The scientists submitted their findings to the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps determined that the wet- lands proposed for filling were jurisdictional, reversing an earlier decision and BUSINESSES mandating that the agency require the developer to apply for a permit to fill A Sound Mind Aerial Tree Works the wetlands. In 2011, the Office of Coastal Resource Management approved Angel Oak Animal Hospital Angel Oak Eye Center the permit. In response, Save the Angel Oak and the Conservation League en- Argentinian Wines, LLC listed the S.C. Environmental Law Project to file an appeal. Bedford Falls LLC BFH Consulting During the course of the appeal, the developer declared bankruptcy and Blackbaud Inc. C.T. Lowndes & Company the lender, the Coastal Federal Credit Union of North Carolina, took control Coastal Federal Credit Union DBA Goodrich and Assoc. of the land. Meanwhile, the City of Charleston was awarded greenbelt funds to Evans Rivers and Co., LLC buy a six-acre conservation zone proposed by the developer, leaving the remain- Harvest Health & Rehab of John’s Island Hines Wealth Management, LLC ing 36 acres up for grabs. The development had been divided into two parcels, Indigo Books Its a Stitch Phase I and Phase II, and it was at this point that the Conservation League en- JB’s Smokeshack Johns Island CVS tered into discussions with the Credit Union about a possible purchase of Phase Kiawah Partners II fo Maria’s Mexican Grill r green space. Norvell Real Estate Group, LLC The ConservationLeague and the Credit Union agreed on a settlement in Paula Hampton Insurance Agency Pebco, LLC 2013 and the Lowcountry Open Land Trust stepped in to play a crucial role. Piggly Wiggly Stores Red’s Ice House The settlement stipulated that the bank would grant an option to the Land Rosebank Farms Trust to purchase the second phase of the development at appraised value. Salmons Dredging Corporation Sunrise Bistro In exchange for the option, the Conservation League would drop its permit The Beach Company The Boeing Company appeal.­ The Fat Hen On signing the option, the Land Trust went to work on an application to Wild Olive the Charleston County Greenbelt Bank Board to secure partial funding for COMMUNITY PARTNERS Belle Isle Garden Club acquisition of the 17-acre Phase II tract. The proposal was unanimously ap- Charleston County Greenbelt Bank proved on July 16th, with the Greenbelt Bank allocating $2.4 million toward Charlestowne Neighborhood Association Coastal Conservation League the purchase. Immediately, the Land Trust launched a community-wide cam- Historic Charleston Foundation Isle of Palms Garden Club paign to raise the remaining funds. The response was phenomenal and within James Island Charter High School John’s Island Conservancy four months, enough money was donated to cover the purchase of Phase II and John’s Island Council design of Angel Oak Preserve. The future of the venerable oak was secure. John’s Island Rural Transportation Alliance Kiawah Island Community Association Kiawah Island Naturalists Group Lowcountry Open Land Trust (l-r) PRC Director Tom O’Rourke, Land Trust Director Elizabeth Hagood, Magnolia Garden Club Charleston County Council Chairman Elliott Summey, Charleston Melrose Garden Club Mayor Joe Riley and Land Trust President Rutledge Young Nix 526 Rotary Club of St. John’s Parish Save the Angel Oak S.C. Conservation Bank S.C. Conservation Credit Exchange S.C. Ports Authority Seabrook Island Garden Club Seabrook Natural History Group Sierra Club – Robert Lunz Group South Windermere Garden Club Wadmalaw Island Revolving Fund Wando Woods Garden Club Wheatland Title Guaranty Co.

FOUNDATIONS College of Charleston Foundation Elizabeth C. Bonner Foundation GE Foundation (MG for Maurice Isaac) Mills Bee Lane Foundation Piggly Wiggly Community Pride Fund of CCF Speedwell Foundation Tides Foundation r, Jr. r,

e MUNICIPALITIES City of Charleston Town of James Island Town of Rockville

. Moor C . m as Town of Seabrook Island ho T

7 Community Unites Around Angel Oak

Stories that Connect Us “Segregation was at its height, but the Angel Oak was not segregated. In the springtime to have some kind of recreation for the children, we could take a lunch and go to the Angel Oak tree. I did this from 1916 until 1929. We could go in and have our picnics and spend the day…That tree is sacred because of the stories ❱ r, Jr. r, black people have heard from their early days. Septima Clark e ”

“I used to have a terrible temper and my grandmother used to tell me if you don’t

. Moor C . m as lose that temper, you going to be ho T like the pine tree when the wind and rain come and it just snaps and “This is a story about protecting breaks off. But if you can lose that important land. But it’s also how temper, you can be like the Angel Oak. When the wind and rain we work together as a community come, it just moves and sways; and to create and preserve what matters when the storm passes, it becomes majestic again. ❱ Bill Saunders for future generations. Preserving ” the Angel Oak protects the way of “My grandmother used to live right life that defines the Lowcountry… across from the Angel Oak, so we would climb the tree and play around it. We also would pray under the tree. “We have the incredible opportunity It’s real powerful to know that it’s still to preserve one of God’s most here.” ❱ Richard “Shorty” Legare majestic creations for future generations to enjoy. The Angel Oak is a source of spiritual Angel Oak at the Farmers Market nourishment and connects us to our cultural heritage and one another.”

❱ Pastor Bob Capers of Salem and Bethel Presbyterian Churches and Father Greg Snyder of St. John’s Parish at the November 3rd Fellowship Dinner held at Angel Oak. adrian cain

8 Community Unites Around Angel Oak

Support From Around the The Next Generation Lowcountry, Nation and World “Dee Schenk Rhodes created a sketch of the Angel Oak for the “The Angel Oak is the iconic symbol of John’s Island, and indeed November 3rd Fellowship Dinner and six different local schools – emblematic of the whole county and ­Lowcountry. ” ❱ Colin Angel Oak, Charles- Klusky, John’s Island Conservancy ton Collegiate, When you walk around the Angel Oak, you realize how small Frierson, Haut Gap, “ you are in this world. The tree wraps its branches around you and Mt. Zion, and St. you immediately sense its breadth and depth as beyond your reach. John’s – painted on The Lowcountry Open Land Trust is creating more than a park; it Rhodes’ sketch to is creating a preserve. The campaign to save Angel Oak shows us make it their own how a community can shape its landscape. ❱ Queen Quet of the creative interpreta- ” Gullah Geechie Nation: tion of the majestic tree. We were thrilled to take part in this special campaign.” ❱ ❱ From Philadelphia: “I was in my Yahoo account this morning Charleston Artist­ Collective­ and saw this beautiful oak tree. I felt compelled to make a dona- tion to help save it. Something this amazing cannot be destroyed! My parents live on “ I am glad there are still people in the world today who care. John’s Island and I grew ” up there, so Angel Oak ❱ From Australia: means a lot to our fam- “Love the Carolinas ily. Every month or two, and though I have our children set up a never seen or sat under lemonade stand for char- this tree, I would like ity and when they heard to make a donation to about the campaign to help save it. How can I save Angel Oak they made a poster with pictures and articles about do so?” the tree and held three consecutive stands that raised more than $500. Our son, Walter, would tell the story of Angel Oak to pass- ing tourists and one person donated a $100-dollar-bill! ” “Fairies live here. I just know it.” ❱ Bo Blessing, John’s Island native adrian cain adrian cain adrian cain

9 2013 easement roundup

Land Trust Expects to Reach 100,000 Acres of Conserved Land by Year’s End

2013 has been a banner year for the Lowcountry Open Land tracts that link them to 50,000 contiguous acres of privately pro- Trust, with 3,473 acres protected so far and ten more conserva- tected and publicly owned lands. tion easements expected to close before December 31st, lifting the Over the last decade, the Sinkler family has worked to conserve Land Trust over the 100,000-acre mark by year’s end. We assisted their family lands at Rosebank Plantation on Wadmalaw Island. landowners with easements on key river corridors including the Their most recent contribution has been on 150 acres of marsh- Savannah, the Ashepoo, East Branch of the Cooper, and the San- front and waterfront property along Bohicket Creek called Rose- tee, and in priority geographic areas including Four Holes Swamp, bank Estates. While it remains a large rural tract situated within the East Branch of the Cooper River and the sea islands. Nine a relatively undeveloped portion of Wadmalaw, the increasing new easements protect working private forestlands and buffer a demand for waterfront homesites has brought development pres- national forest and a state hunting reserve, in addition to preserv- sures to bear on an area traditionally dominated by natural and ing historic sites and landscapes, and scenic road and river views. cultivated land. Moreover, we take great pride in the fact that five of this year’s This year, the family donated easements on the remaining easements were given by repeat donors. four lots, which range from 22 to 28 acres, thus completing pro- tection of all eight lots of Rosebank Estates. The easement restric- ❱ Down in the Savannah River Preserve of the South Lowcountry tions on impervious surface and subdivision, along with buffers Focus Area, Carole and A.J. Johns of Hampton County signed along the road and waterfront, provide immeasurable public ben- two easements on 1,650 acres of farm and forest lands. Both efits including a preserved wildlife corridor and habitat connectiv- easements were bargain sales and were supported with funding ity, water quality protection and Lowcountry scenic views. The from the S.C. Conservation Bank. These easements afford spe- eight conservation easements that the Sinklers have donated over cial protection to the many grand cypress and live oaks on the the last ten years represent a significant enhancement to the rural properties, and create a 300-foot buffer along the historic Old character and integrity of Wadmalaw Island. ­Orangeburg Road, providing scenic view corridors for passersby. By strictly limiting impervious surface and ensuring that their ❱ When Frank Burke signed a conservation easement on 482 acres land will remain viable for agriculture and forestry, the Johns are of Ravenwood Plantation this year, he was building on an inven- providing valuable public benefits, including water quality protec- tory of lands – 2,142 acres to be exact – that he had already pro- tion and support of the local economy. tected with easements in 2001, 2008 and 2009. He and his wife, While contributing significant conservation value on their Nina, are exemplary stewards of the land that they have worked own, these properties are also surrounded by large undeveloped tirelessly over the years to assemble and protect with easements. At

10 the neighborhood scale, the Burkes’ commitment to conservation headwaters of the Chehaw River, lies hallowed ground for Low- is complementary to the efforts of nearby landowners. The Land country sportsmen. William Elliott’s Temple of Sport remains Trust holds easements on 467 acres adjacent to Ravenwood Planta- much the same as when the rice planter, politician and author tion upstream on Chessey Creek, as well as another 1,246 acres in wrote about his plantation in the 1846 hunting classic Carolina close proximity along Horseshoe Creek. These creeks lead to the Sports by Land and Water. Martha Lynn and Charles Webb Ashepoo River and ultimately to Saint Helena Sound, recognized continue to carry on Elliott’s stewardship of the “Temple” in their as one of the most pristine estuaries on the Eastern Seaboard. most recent donation of a conservation easement on 51 acres of This latest portion of Ravenwood Plantation is composed the sacred hunting grounds. This year’s easement builds on previ- primarily of planted loblolly pine stands with some small areas of ous easements they gave in 2000 and 2007, on 408 acres and 70 mixed upland forest and forested wetland. In addition, there is acres respectively. The property contains an abundance of wildlife approximately one mile of public road frontage along Maybank and a number of diverse habitats, including bottomland hard- Lane, which is very close to Prices Bridge Boat Landing. The wood swamp, mixed pine and hardwood forest, inland rice field scenic view along the roadway to the landing is now permanently impoundments, and a large “green pond,” from which the nearby protected and will contribute to the natural and rural setting of community of Green Pond may have taken its name. the ACE Basin forever. ❱ Last, but not least, a bargain sale purchase of an easement by the ❱ Introduced to the Land Trust by Frank Burke, Susan and ­Allen Charleston County Greenbelt Bank has enabled the Land Trust Bell donated an easement on their 712-acre Deux Cheneaux to permanently protect 480 acres of prime timberland and one Plantation, a hunting retreat in the ACE Basin. The property mile of frontage along scenic U.S. Highway 17 between McClel- contains a 50-acre historic rice field preserve, which enjoys special lanville and the Santee River Delta. The property lies adjacent to protection in the easement, as do the beautiful live oak, cypress both the Francis Marion National Forest and the Santee Coastal and magnolia trees on the property. Significant buffers protect Reserve and contains substantial acreage of native longleaf pine Deux Cheneaux’s border with Ritter Road and Green Pond High- habitat, one of the most endangered ecosytems in North America. way. Like the Burkes, the Bells are dedicated stewards of their land The easement prohibits all subdivision and preserves the property’s and are significantly augmenting the scenic view corridors of the value as a working forest. In addition, the easement allows for ag- Ashepoo river environs of the ACE Basin. ricultural production, recreational use and limited rural residential use, while preserving valuable public benefits. ❱ Next door to the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, at the

11 groundwork

Sign Up for Next Outreach Workshop

As part of its 2013-2015 strategic plan and with support Edsel and fellow easement donor Joe Branton offered personal from corporate grants including the BP Foundation and Toyota, stories of their land and why they chose to protect it with conser- the Lowcountry Open Land Trust is committed to offering regu- vation easements. Four Holes Swamp, the headwaters of the Ed- lar education and outreach workshops for landowners and their isto River, is a priority conservation area for the Land Trust. The advisors on a variety of conservation and stewardship topics, rang- jewel in its crown is the Francis Beidler Forest, a 16,000-acre wild- ing from the benefits of conservation easements to managing bot- life sanctuary owned and managed by the National Audubon So- tomland hardwoods for priority bird species. 2013, in particular, ciety. The Land Trust and the Audubon Society have partnered was timely for workshops that focused on enhanced tax incentives on numerous projects to protect the irreplaceable natural resources available to private landowners for the contribution of conserva- of Four Holes and Beidler Forest. Private easements, such as those tion easements. These tax incentives will expire on December 31. given by Edsel and Joe, greatly enhance the protection of this im- What better way to spread the word about conservation and portant watershed. stewardship than to be invited by your neighbors for a delicious This summer, Land Trust easement donors Frank and Nina meal and engaging conversation? On April 25th, Land Trust ease- Burke and Roy Richards co-hosted a gathering on June 5th for ment donor Edsel Taylor of Ridgeville, S.C. invited neighboring landowners in the Ashepoo River corridor of the ACE Basin. landowners to his Indigo Oaks property in the Four Holes Swamp Participants gathered at the Burke’s property known as Raven- area to learn about conservation easements and tax incentives, as wood Plantation. The Ashepoo is one of three principal rivers well as conservation funding from the S.C. Conservation Bank in the ACE Basin watershed and an area of high conservation and Dorchester County Conservation Commission. significance and focus for the Land Trust. Nina Burke offered

12 photos by Sharon Richardson

­fascinating insights and stories about Colleton County planta- tions. Tree farmers, land managers and property owners came together to learn about the public benefit of open spaces and how easements can be a tool for protection of traditional uses such as forestry, farming and recreation. On November 2nd, Mollie and Henry Fair hosted a land- owner workshop at their Combahee River property known as Rose Hill Plantation. This workshop, supported by a grant from Toyo- ta’s Together Green program, focused on management of bottom- land hardwood forest for priority bird species, such as the protho- notary warbler. Staff from the Land Trust and from the National Audubon Society in South Carolina and North Carolina gave presentations regarding the benefits of managing forested wetlands for these special winged creatures, which are indicator species for healthy forest habitat. Landowners from all over the Lowcountry attended. Plans are in the works for a spring 2014 workshop on Brandon Heitkamp of Audubon SC engages with a landowner. managing for priority bird species, so stay tuned!

13 happenings

Land Trust Alliance Board Visits Charleston

Soul of the Lowcountry

14 Angel Oak Fellowship Dinner

photos by Thomas C. Moorer, Jr.

15 r, Jr. r, e

Giving Back Moor C . m as ho T

Barn Dinner On October 30th, nearly 100 major donors joined hosts Gigi Mike McShane gave a brief history of Ravens Point and dis- and Mike McShane at Ravens Point to kick off the Lowcountry cussed the importance of supporting the Land Trust’s work, espe- Open Land Trust’s inaugural Barn Dinner. This rustic annual cially on the rural sea islands. event will rotate around the Lowcountry to highlight various To highlight the Angel Oak Preserve, special Old Fashioned barns and special properties protected by the Land Trust. cocktails were served, mixed with Angel Envy Bourbon. Food for New and familiar faces, including both Land Trust and Angel the Southern Soul provided supper. Oak supporters, gathered on a beautiful fall evening under the The evening highlighted the importance of private land con- moss draped oaks of Ravens Point, a permanently protected prop- servation and our donors’ commitment to the work of the Land erty on John’s Island. The sunset over the headwaters of Church Trust. The support of our donors is the foundation of everything Creek provided the perfect setting for a delicious outdoor buffet.­ we do. We thank you! r, Jr. r, e . Moor C . m as ho (l-r ) Kathy Bauhs, Scott and Adelaide Wallinger, Robert Strange and David Bahus hotos by T by hotos p

16 A Lasting Impact “I wanted to do Did you know that under current tax law, it may be advanta- something to honor geous to consider leaving an IRA or part of a retirement plan to Jane, who was such a the Lowcountry Open Land Trust? Although it is an effective way devoted conservation- to save for retirement, these accounts are heavily taxed. Unlike ist and member of the appreciated securities or real estate, IRAs and pension funds carry Land Trust,” Catherine income tax that must be paid by the person inheriting the asset, says. “Her legacy of thereby further reducing the inheritance of your loved ones. dedication and passion As a nonprofit, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust pays nei- for the environment ther income nor estate taxes. Therefore, designating or transferring continues to be a model for all of us. Jane was a portion of your IRA to the Land Trust maximizes the impact r of your assets. To include the Lowcountry Open Land Trust as a also a lover of beauty, me beneficiary of your accounts, you need only complete a beneficiary both natural and lack t P. B P. t designation form, available from your account manager. manmade, so it is ap- e You can make an immediate and permanent impact on the propriate to honor her through the artwork Margar natural and irreplaceable landscapes of the Lowcountry by making Emily Farrow portrait by William Halsey a direct distribution from your IRA account this year. This can be of William Halsey and a way to create a lasting impact for Lowcountry land protection the memory of another while also reducing the taxable burden of these assets. You must great conservationist, Emily Farrow.” be 70½ or older to take advantage of this opportunity and up to A native of Sumter, South Carolina, Jane Lareau helped $100,000 can be donated in a calendar year. Dana Beach found the Coastal Conservation League in 1989. This opportunity is set to expire on December 31st, 2013. She worked on many successful conservation campaigns, includ- Please contact Adrian Cain, Director of Development at 843-410- ing the designation of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge as 0669 or by email [email protected]; or consult with your financial Outstanding Resource Waters, the restoration of longleaf pine on advisor. the Francis Marion National Forest, and blocking the factory hog farm industry from entering South Carolina. She was also an avid Art conservator donates portrait restoration birder and an enthusiastic mentor to many young Lowcountry in memory of Jane Lareau, 1951 – 2013 conservationists. Her legacy lives on. Art Conservator Catherine Rogers, who maintains her studio at the Confederate Home in Charleston, has donated her restora- Remembering Henry “Heno” Hutson, 1927 – 2013 tion of a portrait of Emily Farrow in memory of Jane Lareau. The Henry “Heno” Hutson was a loyal, long-time supporter of the portrait, which the Lowcountry Open Land Trust received as part Lowcountry Open Land Trust and with his wife, Harriet, was a of Mrs. Farrow’s bequest in 2011, was painted by noted Charleston fixture at Land Trust events. As the father of former Land Trust artist William Halsey. executive director Mary Pope Hutson, he was extremely proud of the organization and its accomplishments. Born and bred in the Lowcountry, it was Charleston’s great good fortune that this native son chose to return in 1987 to become Headmaster of East Cooper School. Prior to that, Heno spent a long and distinguished career serving Sewanee Academy and later Christ School as teacher, coach, administrator and headmaster. Heno taught and mentored countless young people and served on numerous educational boards, including as a trustee of the University of the South and as secretary to the board of the r, Jr. r, e College of Charleston. He also worked long hours to bring the historic replica of the Best Friend locomotive back to Charleston. A serious student of history and deeply loyal to friends old and . Moor C . m as ho new, Heno navigated the world with wisdom and good humor, always ready to lend a word of support and encouragement. He (l-r) Barbara Neale, Bailey Bolen, Carol Ervin and Margaret Blackmer hotos by T by hotos will be missed. p

17 Thank you to Wendell Powers for carving this sign out of cypress from our Wadmacon Creek Property. News From Wentworth Street

Our Thanks to Mike McShane Whenever there’s a big job to be done, you can count on Mike toward the everyday workings of the Land Trust, keeping the or- McShane to do it and do it well. As a former President of the ganization on track and moving forward. Nancy is now on to an- Land Trust and Chair of the Land other challenging and busy life, as she and husband Phil relocate Trust’s highly successful Angel Oak to Orlando, Florida to be closer to children and grandchildren. We Campaign, Mike has served time and will miss you, Nancy! time again with the utmost commit- ment and engagement. Now he has been Welcome New Staff tapped to help in yet another capacity on Shanon Stroer joins the Land Trust as the new Executive Ad- behalf of conservation, as a member of ministrator and Board Liaison, filling the shoes of retiring staff the S.C. Conservation Bank Board. member Nancy DeWitt, while adding a component of stewardship When Mike was interviewed for this and outreach to her new position. A native of the Upstate, Shanon Mike McShane newsletter ten years ago as Land Trust comes to the Land Trust with more than 15 years of experience President, he had just been appointed in archival and museum management, history education and Chairman of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources by Gov- outreach, special events planning, and ernor Mark Sanford. He was asked at the time how he viewed his youth philanthropy. Her lifelong pas- many roles in the community – as a conservationist, a business- sion for both history and the natural man, a committed church member, a husband and a father. He environment led her to the Lowcountry said, “I view each as a privilege, and as an opportunity to serve.” Open Land Trust, where she will serve We are fortunate to have been the beneficiary of Mike’s as Liaison to the Board of Trustees; work boundless service. As he retires from the Land Trust board, we with the Conservation and Education/ extend our heartfelt thanks and look forward to working with him Outreach staff to develop and maintain in his new position on the board of the S.C. Conservation Bank. an archival database for conservation and stewardship documentation and out- Shannon Stroer Best Wishes to Nancy DeWitt reach; research and record the history of Since 1999, Nancy DeWitt was usually the first voice on the Land Trust easement properties, and perform office management phone and the first face at the door enthusiastically greeting duties. members and visitors to the Lowcountry Shanon most recently served as Program Coordinator for Open Land Trust. Of course, she wore T.R.R. Cobb House Museum in Athens, GA, where she built a many hats over the years as Finance and successful education and outreach program from scratch, serving Administrative Coordinator, overseeing more than 800 area schoolchildren and college students per year. the general functioning of the office and Shanon graduated with a BA in Political Science from the Univer- maintaining all financial records, in ad- sity of Georgia, an MA in History with an emphasis on Southern dition to working closely with the Land Environmental History from Clemson University, and an MA in Trust Treasurer and helping with nearly Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art & Design. every Land Trust event. Relocating to Charleston has been a dream come true for Shanon Lucky for us, this Mary Washington and her husband, Andy, and their two cats, Brutus and Gomez. Nancy DeWitt graduate and licensed realtor contributed boundless energy and common sense

18 Helen Rogers became a member of the Land Trust staff last thank you, land trust summer interns September as Stewardship Coordinator, supporting Stewardship Manager, Garrett Budds, in monitoring and overseeing the Land Trust’s 283 (and growing!) protected properties. As part of the conservation team, Helen’s role includes coordinating the ease- ment monitoring process, serving as a contact for landowner inquiries, record keeping and data management, occasion- al fieldwork and all other supplemental landowner correspondence. Helen brings a background in land planning, historic preservation l-r) Robert Strange, John Bulkeley and Katherine Kelly and landscape architecture to her cur- rent position. Prior to joining the Land Trust, she worked as a land planner for Helen Rogers a private planning firm engaging with municipalities, neighborhood residents and design professionals in neighborhood revitalization and stabilization projects. Her work emphasized the importance of building sustainable communities through environmental, social and economic resources. Helen graduated from The College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation and Community Plan- ning and a Masters of Landscape Architecture from Clemson University. She and her husband, David, enjoy playing in the Low- country waters.

Welcome to the World, Soul babies!

Darby Budds

Angel Oak T-Shirts for Sale Call the Land Trust at 843-577-6510 to order Angel Oak T-Shirts. It is a wonderful way to commemorate the venerable oak and at the same time contribute to the ongoing campaign for Angel Oak Preserve. $25 if you plan to pick up a T-shirt directly from the Land Trust offices in Charleston $30 if you would like us to mail a T-shirt to you

Harry Demosthenes Eliza Brown with her mother

19 Secretary G. T Treasurer David Maybank III Vice President Bradford S.Marshall President J. Rutledge Board ofTrustees Tel renholm 43 Wentworth 843.577.6510 Y W oung Jr. alker Street Fax 843.577.0501 R Ford P. Menefee S G.Mc Michael Burnet R.Maybank III A T B J. C S C S M.B Robert , Charleston tephen F. G homas D amuel C. arol B ichard atson L.H nn G.K onrad Zimmerman . Ervin W ulze . . S W ewitt Jr. arlton aldwin www almons Jr. ates . Hutto hane , SC 29401 .lolt .org

Lisa W Attorney B ofConservation Director A Executive Director M. Hagood Elizabeth Staff Conservation Planner arbara G. H shley D . S healy . Demosthenes olmes

A Conservation Field Representative L Stewardship Coordinator H Stewardship Manager G Development Associate Development Associate Dana C.Moorer ofDevelopment Director ewis Hay drian B elen Rogers arrett J. Budds . C ain Field Specialist S Robert Executive Administrator Liaison &Board S Controller Karen H.Rowe ofEducationDirector Outreach and D Elizabeth Development Assistant Ellie M. T Ellie hanon S trange iller troer . Brown

Permit No. 557 No. Permit Charleston, SC Charleston, Organization U.S. Postage Non-Profit Paid

John Moore