Lowcountry Land Trust

We are excited to introduce Isabelle Boulware, one of Lowcountry Land Trust’s four dedicated summer interns. Originally from the Lowcountry, Izzy is pursuing a Biology degree with a concentration in Ecology and Conservation at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Her passion for the region and education brought her to our organization, and she’s already making a significant impact. As our Land Stewardship Intern, Izzy’s role involves frequent monitoring visits to our conservation easements alongside Krista Schmidt, Lowcountry Land Trust’s Stewardship Associate. In addition, Izzy is helping digitize the baseline document reports of our properties, contributing to the long-term sustainability of our conservation efforts. Read the full article about Izzy’s summer internship on The Ebb & Flow Blog. https://lnkd.in/ewWBbgXE

Lowcountry Land Trust is proud to announce a newly recorded conservation easement on Hiott Station. This significant 561-acre tract strengthens a burgeoning conservation community on the outskirts of Walterboro, SC. Owned by Dr. Richard Cooler and partially funded by the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the Land Trust’s new easement underscores these partners’ ongoing commitment to conserving the ACE Basin’s cultural history and natural resources. The Cooler brothers, known for recently protecting Dr. Paul Cooler’s 654-acre farm, continue their legacy of land stewardship with the protection of Dr. Richard Cooler’s 561 acres at Hiott Station. Both properties were initially purchased and established by the brothers’ father and grandfather. Read more about the Cooler Family and this new easement on The Ebb & Flow Blog. https://lnkd.in/eDmkAcud

This summer, we are excited to welcome Lily Westerhold, Lowcountry Land Trust's Nonprofit Operations Intern. Lily is currently a Clemson University student pursuing a major in Business Management with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship and a support area in Agribusiness. Lily’s lifelong love for the outdoors led her to seek an internship combining her passion for nature and academic interests. Through nonprofit operations, Lily is gaining valuable experience in the “behind the scenes” work of Lowcountry Land Trust, which enables our conservation programs to thrive. Read the full article about Lily’s summer internship on The Ebb & Flow Blog. https://lnkd.in/enkxtjvK

This summer, we are excited to welcome Meredith McLeod, Lowcountry Land Trust's GIS (Geospatial Information Systems) Intern. Meredith is currently a Clemson University student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in business. She brings her passion for conservation and community engagement to our team. Meredith will provide geospatial data and analysis support to the organization’s land protection team this summer. Her work involves creating maps for various purposes, including baseline documentation reports, grant applications, internal reports, and field data collection. Lowcountry Land Trust can more effectively plan and implement its conservation strategies through her contributions. Read the full article about Meredith’s summer internship on The Ebb & Flow Blog: https://lnkd.in/e3ZgxaW3

Our summer interns have already hit the ground running! Meet Isabelle Boulware (Land Stewardship Intern), Meghan Lord (Communications Intern), Meredith McLeod (GIS Intern), and Lily Westerhold (Nonprofit Operations Intern). This summer, we'll share more information about each of these talented students on The Ebb & Flow Blog. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/e49HF9jE

Last Wednesday, Lowcountry Land Trust had the pleasure of participating in the creation of the Willie McRae and Kathy Britzius Oyster Reef at Boone Hall Plantation. Recycled oyster shells from the 2024 Lowcountry Oyster Festival, presented by Events by Charleston Restaurant Foundation, were collected and prepared by the Coastal Conservation Association South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for the reef build. Read more about our involvement in the festivities and the easement we hold on Boone Hall's nearly 600 acres on The Ebb & Flow Blog. https://lnkd.in/ez8wzZBt

Yesterday, Lowcountry Land Trust's staff and board joined lawmakers, farmers, and conservation partners at Cottle Strawberry Farm for Governor McMaster's signing of the Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act. This bill allows the SC Conservation Bank to compensate farmers for protecting their property in perpetuity via conservation easements. Lowcountry Land Trust looks forward to continuing and expanding its work with farmers using these additional public resources. Read more about the importance of this legislation here: https://lnkd.in/e2XKNePR

Berkeley County (SC) Government, in partnership with Lowcountry Land Trust, Trust for Public Land, Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust, Studio Main, and Tom O'Rourke, Parks and Recreation, is hosting five public engagement sessions on its new Greenbelt Program. Community members will have the opportunity to share ideas on what land should be protected in Berkeley County and how to improve access to outdoor recreation. Public meetings will take place 6–7:30 pm on the following dates: - Wednesday, March 27: Timberland High School Auditorium, 1418 Gravel Hill Road, St. Stephen - Thursday. March 28: Philip Simmons High School Media Room, 3080 River Village Dr., Charleston - Tuesday, April 9: Goose Creek High School Auditorium, 1137 Red Bank Road, Goose Creek - Wednesday, April 10: Cane Bay High School Media Room, 1624 State Road, Summerville - Thursday, April 18: Assembly Room of the Berkeley County Administration Building, 1003 Hwy. 52, Moncks Corner 📸 Old Santee Canal Park

Nestled at the gateway of Wadmalaw Island lies a pristine piece of land known as Stevens Family Farm - the venue for Lowcountry Land Trust's 2024 Spring Gathering. This 396-acre haven, blessed with abundant natural beauty, has long been a sanctuary for wildlife and humanity. For generations, the land has been utilized for various purposes: hunting, timber, and agriculture. Its diverse habitat, ranging from planted pine forests to forested wetlands and maritime forests, provides a home to a myriad of species. Bohicket Creek, meandering gracefully along its edges, not only offers scenic vistas but also plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality and sustaining the rural charm of the surrounding area. Read about the journey of protecting the 396-acre Stevens Family Farm on The Ebb & Flow Blog. https://lnkd.in/eXaJ-w-n

Lowcountry Land Trust offers four paid summer internship opportunities for degree-seeking students who are passionate about land conservation and environmental protection. Applications close next Tuesday, March 5! Click here to learn more and apply. Land Stewardship Intern: This position will provide hands-on experience in the management and stewardship of conserved lands, including annual monitoring activities on private properties. GIS and Conservation Planning Intern: This role will support the land trust's conservation planning efforts through GIS analysis and mapping. Communications and Outreach Intern: This internship will focus on increasing public awareness of the Lowcountry Land Trust's mission and programs through various communications and outreach efforts. Nonprofit Operations Intern: This position will provide support to the day-to-day operations of the organization, including administrative and financial tasks. From farms and forests to the pristine salt marsh and everything in between, an internship at Lowcountry Land Trust will immerse you in the iconic landscapes of coastal South Carolina while helping you develop valuable skills and make a positive impact on the local community. Join our team - apply by March 5!