Download - 2016 Outlook
2016
Protecting the Natural Heritage of Central South Carolinawww.congareelt.org
Volume 22
2
Executive Director
Volume 22 Spring 2016
The Congaree Land Trust is a 501(c)(3)
organization founded in 1992 and governed
by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Board of DirectorsT. Moffatt Burriss, Jr., PresidentChristian Hendricks, Vice-President Stacy Stokes, TreasurerAnne Sinclair, SecretaryClinch Belser
Jay Bressler
Rusty Brodie
Lamar Comalander
Bob Derrick
Bill Funderburk
Susan Krotz
Ceth Land
Susan Mathis
Brook Moore
Richard Ness
Alan Reyner
Jane Willcox Salley
Ken Simmons, Jr.
Ben Skelley
John Spearman
David Stack
StaffStuart White, Executive Director
Mary Crockett, Land Protection Director
Eugenia Payne, Membership & Marketing
Director
Marisa Cebulski, Business Operations Manager
Billy Cate, Land Protection Consultant
John McLeod, Easement Consultant
Emily Van Seeters, Social Media Intern
Diane Kennedy, Graphic Designer OUTLOOK Magazine
Office Location2231 Devine Street, Suite 100
Columbia, SC 29205
Phone (803) 988-0000
Fax (803) 252-7134
Mailing AddressP.O. Box 5232
Columbia, SC 29250
www.congareelt.org
Cover Photo Credit: The cover photo, Fox
Squirrel at High Creek, was taken by Jane
Willcox Salley, CLT board member and nature
photographer.
MissionTo promote voluntary conservation of
scenic lands, open spaces, farms, forests,
natural areas and significant habitats in
central South Carolina.
Stuart White
It is a true privilege to share this report
on the investment you have made in
the mission and work of Congaree Land
Trust. There is no question that the great
success your land trust has experienced in
the past year has been driven by the passion
and commitment our supporters have for
protecting special places and the natural
resources that define our way of life in South
Carolina. On behalf of the staff and board of
Congaree Land Trust – Thank You! As you
join us in the following pages to celebrate the
achievements of the past year, know that these
are your achievements, this is your land trust,
and the impact is so much more than acres.
Congaree Land Trust’s sole mission is the protection and stewarding
of land. Every day, we are working with landowners and conservation
partners to find new opportunities to conserve land in ways that positively
impact the natural world around us and protect our natural heritage and
reliance on the land. One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is
being able to witness the impact that our work can have on others – from
keeping small family farms intact and providing opportunities for children
to catch their first fish to places that provide an escape and even healing.
One of our newest conservation properties, Featherhorn Farms, is such a
place. CLT worked with the landowner, Jimmy Lee, and the South Carolina
Conservation Bank for almost two years to ensure that this property would
continue to support an abundance of wildlife and much more. In December of
2015, I had the pleasure of visiting Featherhorn Farms to complete an annual
inspection. Touring the property with Jimmy, I discovered on this particular
weekend, the Farm was ministering to the needs of a group of our nation’s
recent veterans. These brave men were being given an opportunity to hunt,
fellowship and continue the process of healing. This land is making a difference
in a way that goes far beyond conservation, and there are many other special
places that you have enabled us to protect that serve in such significant ways.
Our work is not without its challenges, and this past year has provided many
– devastating floods that impacted many properties and lives, ongoing battles to
secure the South Carolina Conservation Bank, and the fight to make permanent
the enhanced federal tax incentives for conservation easements – to name just a
few. Congaree Land Trust is also faced with many new opportunities to expand
areas of protection: linking conserved properties to protect wildlife corridors,
helping keep our state’s waters clean for all, and preserving the beauty of our state.
Your continued support is critical; the impact that we make
together will last for decades and beyond.
With your help, we will continue to demonstrate that the
impact of land conservation extends far beyond just acres.
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Letter from the President
Moffatt Burriss Jr.
Thoughts From A Deer Stand
It is late October. As I walk to my deer stand in the
pre-dawn darkness, I don’t need a flashlight. I have walked
this trail many times in the past. Spider webs still surprise
me though. I climb into my ladder stand and brush the
leaves out of my chair. It is 45 degrees and chilly. I wait for
daylight and a little warmth. The woods road where I sit runs
along beside a creek. The only sound I hear is the gurgling of
the running water.
As the night begins to fade to day, the animals and
birds begin to come to life. A coyote yips behind my stand.
I hope he presents himself to me. He hopes he doesn’t. A
grey squirrel scampers across the trail, making sure he doesn’t
make himself a target for the red-tailed hawks that inhabit
these woods. The leaves are beginning to turn, and the acorns
are dropping. It is a great time to be in the woods.
The sun finds an opening in the trees and pokes its head
through to warm me a bit, but also blinds me when I look in
that direction. It doesn’t take long for it to move on up, and I
am once again in the shadows.
Suddenly, a young six-point trots up the road, turns
to my left and takes a trail up behind me, his nose to the
ground like a trailing hound. I don’t raise my gun. Most of
the animals this time of the year are looking for a meal. That
youngster has something else on his mind.
A deer stand is the perfect spot to ponder things that
you normally would not have the solitude to do in this hustle
Congaree Land Trust Supports Recreation
and bustle world. I wonder
what these woods will look
like in 50 years. Animals and
trees live and die, just as I will,
but the land and the forest
and the animals will be here
for others to enjoy, just as I
have. I made the decision to
preserve this 400 acres with
a conservation easement.
Hopefully, my children, and
their children, will cherish the
woods and wildlife as I do. But
even if they don’t, and this land
changes hands, the new owners
will still be able to walk the paths where my footsteps no
longer make imprints and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of
these woods forever.
Oh, there goes that six-pointer again, moving to my
right this time, oblivious to my presence. I’ll let him grow a
few years. Maybe we’ll meet again one day.
It’s been two hours. I need some coffee to warm me
up. I quietly slip out of my stand and head back to my
truck. No shot this morning, but that’s okay, because I can
come back tomorrow. And I never get tired of just sitting
in a deer stand, watching the sun come up, and marveling
at the natural world, knowing that I have done my part in
preserving a small portion of it.
Percentage of CLT easements used for traditional recreation:
95%
Number of miles permanently conserved along the Palmetto Trail:
8.5 miles
Ponds and wetlands conserved for fishing and hunting:
110 ponds or 5,006 acres
Number of public boat-in only campsites:
12
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Land Protection
abundant gray squirrel. The latter often has two broods a
year in the spring and fall, and although the literature reports
that fox squirrels also have two litters, an eight-year study in
coastal North Carolina found no evidence of two-littered fox
squirrels.
Fox squirrels also seem to be more solitary that
their gregarious gray cousins. This solitude
could have a lot to do with their
food habits, which may be more
patchily distributed and scarcer
than for gray squirrels. Seeds
of the highly nutritious
longleaf pine are a key fox
squirrel food, but a good
crop of longleaf seeds
only comes along every
five to seven years. Acorns
make up the slack, but
are themselves seasonal
and sometimes irregular in
abundance.
Recent studies have shown
that underground fungi are an
important fox squirrel food. This food
could possibly be a three-way association
that benefits the squirrel, the fungus, and the longleaf pine.
The spores of the fungi are spread by the squirrel and other
mushroom-eating animals. The underground fungi are also
thought to be mycorrhizal, that is, they provide a pathway
for extra nutrients to be absorbed by the fine rootlets of the
pine.
As true throughout much of the state, fox squirrels don’t
seem to be common anywhere within the COWASEE Basin,
but are widely scattered throughout public lands and some of
the larger farms and plantations. Questionnaires and surveys
by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
suggest the possibility of a stable population in our area, but
with such low, sparsely distributed numbers, it is anybody’s
guess on how they are truly faring.
Although vulnerable on several fronts, especially due to
habitat fragmentation and alteration, fox squirrels have some
degree of adaptability as demonstrated by their presence
on golf courses and “green” developments that leave large
patches of woodlands. However, despite their elusiveness,
they can be seen on a regular basis at the Fort Jackson
golf course in the Columbia area, and there are also a few
fortunate folks in the country that are lucky enough to have
them come to corn feeders in their backyards.
Had a fox squirrel sighting? Share this rare find with
others on the Congaree Land Trust’s Facebook page.
Wildlife Profile – Fox SquirrelJohn Cely
Isuspect the fox squirrel, Sciurus niger, would rank high on
everyone’s favorite critter list. I know it is way up there on
mine. Seeing one always brings a smile to my face and makes
my day. A lot of superlatives come to mind when thinking
of fox squirrels, but, for me, “charismatic” says it all. Few
animals in our southern woodlands generate the
enthusiasm and excitement of a fox squirrel
sighting.
For me, fox squirrels are
squirrels in name only and
are in a class by themselves,
especially when compared
to the common, ordinary,
run-of-the-mill variety
“tree rat.” Fox squirrels
are most unsquirrel-like
in their habitats, behavior,
and even appearance. For
starters, they seem to spend
more time on the ground
than in trees and appear to
be at least twice the size of a
gray squirrel, a size that is all the
more enhanced by the large bushy tail
that seems to wave at you when the animal
is in flight, but it is probably their coloration that garners
so much attention. They reputedly have the most variable
pelage of any mammal in the Western Hemisphere. Gray or
silver with black faces seems to be the most common color
based on my experiences in South Carolina, but they range
all the way from jet black to rusty red. I remember years ago
seeing one of the most beautiful fox squirrels I’ve ever seen,
a striking rusty red one in Kershaw County that blended
in perfectly with the longleaf pine needle ground cover. I
would have to say that my personal favorite is the all-black
fox squirrel, a show-stopper and crowd-pleaser anywhere.
A study in coastal North Carolina found that black fox
squirrels comprise about 25 percent of the study population.
In South Carolina, fox squirrels are found throughout
the state, except for the mountains and upper foothills.
Their stronghold seems to be in sandy soil areas of the
Sandhills and Coastal Plain where they are closely associated
with pine-oak woodland and mature longleaf pine stands,
especially those that are burned on a regular basis. Even
in their preferred habitats, however, fox squirrels do not
seem to be that common. Some of this may be as a result
of their restricted habitat, but it may also have something
to do with their lower reproductive rate (especially when
compared to their gray squirrel cousins), large home ranges,
food limitations, and even competition with the much more
Photo by Jane Willcox Salley
555555555
Land Protection
CLT Partnerships and Collaboration — A Winning Combination for Conservation
approximates the 1,000,000-acre watershed of the Santee
River.
Longleaf Stewardship Project – Congaree Land Trust, Milliken Forestry and Private Landowners
Funding Provided by National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation and
International Paper.
The Longleaf Stewardship Fund is
a landmark public-private partnership
that supports accelerated restoration
of the longleaf pine ecosystem
through collaborative and result-
oriented actions that contribute to
the restoration goals of the America’s
Longleaf Restoration Initiative.
Congaree Land Trust and partners
will manage and restore longleaf
pine habitat on 14 privately-owned
properties in the Mid- and Atlantic Coastal Plain Ecoregions
of South Carolina. The project will establish 165 acres of
longleaf pine, enhance more than 4,500 acres of longleaf
habitat with prescribed fire, and treat mid-story hardwoods
on more than 400 acres.
Natural Resources Conservation Service – US Department of Agriculture
NRCS provides technical support and match funding
for the protection of working agricultural lands, wetlands,
and forestlands. CLT is currently working with the NRCS
and the South Carolina Conservation Bank to protect three
working farms with a combined acreage of 1,149.
The Conservation Fund and US Department of Defense
CLT and The Conservation Fund partnered with
Fort Jackson, McCrady National Guard Training Center,
McEntire Air National Guard Station, Shaw Air Force Base,
and Poinsett Bombing Range in preserving over 7,700 acres
of critical longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood forest.
This effort is the nation’s lead conservation project involving
multiple military partners, along with state and local leaders.
The Department of Defense’s National Readiness and
Environmental Protection Initiative’s Conservation Buffer
Program funded the project as part of its Midlands Area Joint
Installation Consortium (MAJIC) effort to establish buffers
around military bases.
South Carolina Conservation BankCongaree Land Trust has protected over 23,000 acres
with funding provided by the South
Carolina Conservation Bank and will
add over 10,000 acres in conservation
easements in 2016-17 due to this
highly successful program.
Many of these private properties
provide public access in the form
of campsites, youth waterfowling
programs, and various community
events.
ACE Basin/Santee Focus Area Conservation Easement Program – US Fish and Wildlife Service
The purpose of CLT’s ACE
Basin and Santee River Focus Area
Conservation Easement Program is to
protect areas of significant conservation
value within Berkeley, Bamberg, and Williamsburg counties.
The program focuses on properties supporting habitats that
may harbor rare, threatened, or endangered species. Special
consideration is given to isolated wetlands/Carolina Bays and
riparian zones. As contributing partners, the US Fish and
Wildlife Service – SC Coastal Program provides matched
project funding, technical assistance, and review of project
execution. To date, this program has contributed to the
protection of over 3,700 acres with another 15,000 acres in
pending projects.
COWASEE Basin Focus Area Task ForceCLT participates as a member of the COWASEE Basin
Task Force, a group of landowners and conservation partners
working to protect the 315,000-acre Green Heart of South
Carolina.
As part of its land protection efforts, the group provides
educational resources and seminars such as this year’s
“Beautiful Birds & Bottomland Forests” seminar at the
Wateree River Heritage Preserve.
Santee Basin Focus Area Task ForceThe Santee Basin Task Force includes private landowners,
land trusts, conservationists, and other stakeholders who
envision conserving the landscape of the Santee Basin
in a manner that encourages private-sector, traditional
economies like agriculture, forestry, and outdoor recreation
to flourish. The geographic area included in the Santee Basin
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Conservation Measures
Since 1992, Congaree Land Trust accomplishments have conserved:
Land Protection
Land Protection – Conservation Easement Highlights 2015-2016Mary Crockett
Hickory Top LLC, Clarendon County63 Acres
This property is an important part of the eastern Lake Marion
“waterfowl corridor,” a series of closely connected private tracts
managed for waterfowl and other wetland birds, and enhances the
overall wildlife values of the nearby 13,000-acre Santee National
Wildlife Refuge. This tract also adds value for waterfowl and water
bird populations for the adjoining Upper Lake Marion, one of the
most significant inland habitats in South Carolina for a wide variety of
wetland-dependent wildlife.
The property’s conservation easement also enriches the scenic
views of nearly 0.25 miles of the Palmetto Trail that passes along the
southern boundary of the property. This passage is referred to as the
Lake Marion Passage of The Palmetto Trail and is a public, statewide
“mountains to the sea” biking and hiking trail that extends for more
than 200 miles from the Upstate of South Carolina to the coast.
Fox Tindal Tract, Clarendon County199.56 Acres
The Fox Tindal Tract features managed waterfowl impoundments,
stands of loblolly pine, hardwoods adjoining Big Branch Creek, and
a large pond. Because of the landscape diversity, this tract supports a
variety of wildlife including deer, rabbit, squirrel, bobcat and other
furbearers, along with a variety of birds, such as native and migratory
songbirds, wild turkey, quail, waterfowl and waterbirds, including
herons and egrets. There is a partnership with the Pintail Partners, a
collaborative effort involving Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, the
South Carolina Waterfowl Association, South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Conservation Bank, to
provide youth with duck hunting opportunities on this property and
the other privately held properties within the “waterfowl corridor”
area.
In 2015-2016, Congaree Land Trust closed nine
conservation easements of 4,582 acres and completed
grant applications for eight tracts of land totaling 5,904
acres thanks to the generosity of landowners in the Midlands
and assistance from our partners at the South Carolina
Conservation Bank and the Midlands Area Joint Installation
Consortium (U.S. Department of Defense). As a result, CLT
currently holds 142 conservation easements and fee-simple
properties totaling 61,938 acres. Following are nine of our
most recent conservation easement properties, including
highlights of the unique qualities and land features of each
tract.
7,509acres of agricultural land
103miles of river and stream frontage
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Land Protection
DDK Management LLC, Kershaw County1,865.5 Acres
The DDK Management LLC tract is a large property located
within the COWASEE Basin Focus Area, a 315,000-acre landscape
conservation project initiated by the South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources and supported by various private landowners
and public conservation organizations and agencies. With a variety
of elevations, this tract features habitat diversity ranging from
bottomland hardwood forests along the Wateree River (an American
Rivers-designated Blue Trail) to creek bottom forests along Spears
Creek to longleaf pine uplands and high bluffs, all of which support a
wide variety of flora and fauna species.
Hickory Top Hunt Club LLC, Clarendon County223.85 Acres
The Palmetto Trail passes along the southern boundary of this
property for .05 miles and adjoins the South Carolina Hickory Top
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Lake Marion. The Hickory
Top WMA, a joint initiative between the South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Public Service Authority
(Santee Cooper), improves habitat conditions for waterfowl and other
wetland birds.
This property is an important part of the Lake Marion “waterfowl
corridor” as it has impoundments and ponds that attract many species
of waterfowl and other native and migratory wetland birds.
Pinewood Farms, Sumter County270.38 Acres
The Pinewood Farm tract is located between the towns of
Pinewood in Sumter County and Rimini in Clarendon County. It
supports both pine and hardwood forests near Duckford Branch
along with agricultural fields, impoundments, and a large pond. This
property conserves a variety of wading birds, such as herons and egrets,
and native and migratory song birds as well as a variety of reptiles
and amphibians. Because of the property’s proximity to Lake Marion,
many birds of prey, such as bald eagles, ospreys, Mississippi kites, and
red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks fly over, hunt, or rest there. The
owners of this tract also participate in the public youth waterfowl
hunts sponsored by the Pintail Partners.
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Land Protection
For Ducks LLC, Clarendon County193.75 Acres
The For Ducks LLC Tract is managed for forestry and wildlife,
and it too is within the “waterfowl corridor” of Lake Marion. Diverse
habitats and forest areas are found here, including mature loblolly pine
stands and mixed pine-hardwoods, as well as healthy populations of
deer, wild turkey and small game, such as rabbit, squirrel, bobcat, and
raccoon. The waterfowl impoundment attracts a variety of species,
including wood duck, blue-winged and green-winged teal, mallard,
gadwall, American widgeon, and black duck.
Dinkins Mill LLC, Sumter County652.8 Acres
Dinkins Mill LLC tract is a well-known tract located near the
northern end of the “High Hills of the Santee.” Best known for its
historic significance, it has been in the same family since 1732.
The ruins of an old mill as well as forested lands surround
the scenic pond along a section of the “Kings Highway,” a former
Native American path, which later became a road from Camden to
Charleston.
Hoover Tract, Sumter County106.55 Acres
The Hoover tract is located near historic Stateburg in the “High
Hills of the Santee” region and near plantations such as San Souci, The
Ruins, and Thomas Sumter Memorial. This land is being conserved
for forest and agricultural purposes and has a hilly geography with a
beautiful section of Beach Creek flowing through the middle of the
tract.
Deer and Duck LLC, Clarendon County1,006.95 Acres
This large tract of land is an important part of the Lake Marion
“waterfowl corridor,” located across Lake Marion from the town of
Santee. Along with helping to conserve waterfowl populations, this
tract is planted with loblolly pine trees with scattered planted game
patches allowing many wildlife species to thrive. There are also two
natural wetland areas, Doctor Bay and Monkey Bay, which help to
support a variety of reptile and amphibian species.
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Land Protection
11
COWASEE BASIN UPDATE
Created 11 years ago, the COWASEE Basin Task
Force established a focus area that is now known as
the COWASEE Basin. COWASEE is an acronym for the
three rivers that comprise the Basin area, the Congaree,
Wateree, and Santee Rivers. The Task Force itself is a unique
partnership between various conservation organizations and
interested landowners. The members are shown below.
COWASEE Basin Task Force Partners
Audubon South Carolina
Congaree Land Trust
The Conservation Fund
Ducks Unlimited
Friends of Congaree Swamp
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Richland County Conservation Commission
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Landowners: Roy Belser, Billy Cate, John Cely, Angus Lafaye, Hugh Ryan, Hank Stallworth, Dick Watkins
Over the past year, the Task Force has made considerable
progress with its land protection efforts within the
COWASEE Basin. The Congaree Land Trust recently
closed on a significant 1,800-acre conservation easement in
Kershaw County on the Wateree River featuring bottomland
hardwood forests and longleaf pine uplands. Also, the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources received the
transfer of ownership of the Cooks Mountain property and
the majority of Goodwill Plantation, all on the west side of
the Wateree River in Richland County. This nearly 4,000-
acre project is now known as the Wateree River Heritage
Preserve and is open for a myriad of public recreational
opportunities, including hunting, fishing, birding, cycling,
hiking, and nature studies. On the Congaree side of the
COWASEE Basin, the National Park Service purchased
the Phillips Tract, a 270-acre property that has been a CLT
conservation easement since 2004, and it has been absorbed
into the Congaree National Park.
In April, the COWASEE Basin Task Force sponsored a
Bird-Friendly Landowner Workshop conducted by Audubon
South Carolina and the Congaree Land Trust at the newly
acquired Wateree River Heritage Preserve. Topics covered
during these educational seminars included migratory
songbirds and bird-friendly forest management as well as
conservation easements. Continuing education credits were
offered for licensed pesticide applicators, registered foresters,
and certified wildlife biologists within South Carolina.
Much progress has been made to protect the Basin’s
iconic red river bottomland. To date, nearly 46 percent of
the 315,000 acres that comprise the COWASEE Basin is
protected through public or private conservation easements.
Below is a chart that outlines some of these current statistics.
Total acres in COWASEE Basin: 315,000 acresPercentages:Public Conservation Land: 31% (98,434 acres)
Private Under Easement: 15% (45,703 acres)
Total Acres Conserved: 45.8% (144,137 acres)
Total easement acreage by organization:Congaree Land Trust: 27,264 acres
USDA Wetland Reserve Program: 12,666 acres
Ducks Unlimited: 5,773 acres
Total easement acreage by county:Calhoun County: 8,921 acres
Kershaw County: 7,462 acres
Richland County: 11,403 acres
Sumter County: 17,586 acres
To learn more about the COWASEE Basin go to
cowasee.dnr.sc.gov or contact the Congaree Land Trust
at 803.988.0000. Additional COWASEE Basin resources
available at the Land Trust include John Cely’s acclaimed
book, COWASEE Basin: The Green Heart of South Carolina,
a COWASEE Basin driving map and tour guide, and the
COWASEE Chronicle, an informative annual newsletter
highlighting the work of the COWASEE Basin Task Force.
Land Protection
12
Amendments of Conservation EasementsJohn McLeod
Occasionally, a landowner will request a modification
or amendment to a conservation easement after it has
been finalized and recorded. It may be that land subject to
a conservation easement is purchased and the new owner
would like to construct two new houses on the land, even
though the conservation easement allows only one; or a
landowner would like to expand an agricultural field into a
vegetative setback along a creek; or maybe an owner has two
children and would like to give a portion of the conserved
land to each by subdividing the land into two parcels,
although the conservation easement doesn’t reserve the right
to subdivide. These owners may each think these changes
are minor and assume that the holder of the conservation
easement will simply amend the easement to allow their
requests. Not only would amendments in those instances run
contrary to industry standards, and perhaps laws governing
nonprofits, but they could also jeopardize any tax benefits
sought by the owner.
The South Carolina Conservation Easement Act,
the statute that provides for the creation of conservation
easements, specifically allows a conservation easement to be
modified so long as the modification is recorded. The fact
that it legally can be amended, however, is not the end of the
inquiry. The question is whether the requested modification
fits within the narrow range of the situations discussed below
where a modification is permissible.
The purpose of conservation easements is to protect and
conserve the conservation values of the property, including
open space such as farms, pastures and woodlands, and
natural habitat for plants and animals such as wetlands or
creeks. When a landowner requests that a conservation
easement be amended, one of the first questions asked
by the land trust is whether the amendment will enhance
the conservation values or, at a minimum, have a neutral
conservation outcome. Even if the proposed amendment
satisfies that standard, there are several other issues that must
be addressed.
Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations such as the
Congaree Land Trust must comply with various federal
and state laws governing nonprofits. One such law is a
prohibition against giving away an asset that would benefit
a private party (as opposed to a member of the public).
Violating that law can result in the organization losing its
tax-exempt status. A conservation easement conveys to
the land trust an interest in the land, and an amendment
that gives the landowner additional rights could result in
a reduction in the value of that interest and be deemed
impermissible by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Another concern regarding amendments is IRS
scrutiny where the owner has sought federal tax benefits.
In order for the donation of a conservation easement to
be a deductible charitable contribution, the conservation
easement must be perpetual in duration. In recent years the
IRS has increasingly taken the position that, except in very
few circumstances, an amendment renders the conservation
easement “non-perpetual.” In such instances the IRS will
disallow the income tax deduction taken by the landowner.
This has happened in several recent cases where the owner
substituted land not included in the original conservation
easement for land already subject to it.
Due to these and other constraints, amendments to
conservation easements are approved on a very limited basis.
They can be used to correct what is known as a “scrivener’s
error,” such as correcting a typographical error in the legal
description. Amendments can also add restrictions that
increase the protection of the conservation values of the land.
For example, a landowner may desire to add a vegetative
buffer along a trout stream to protect water quality. On the
other hand, amendments that give the owner rights not
retained in the original conservation easement will rarely
satisfy industry conservation standards and practices or the
requirements and limitations imposed by federal and state
law, including Internal Revenue Code limitations as it is
currently interpreted by the IRS.
In conclusion, amendments to conservation easements
are permitted in very few circumstances. Therefore, it is
important for landowners to (1) obtain professional advice
early in the process, (2) plan for current and future needs
and uses of the land, and (3) carefully read the conservation
easement to ensure that it contains the reserved rights
relating to those needs and uses.
John McLeod grew up in Sumter, practiced law in Columbia for a number of years, and has worked with the Congaree Land Trust since 2001, serving first as its Land Protection Director and currently as a conservation easement consultant. John, his wife, Beth, and their children, James and Emma, moved to Brevard, North Carolina, several years ago to enjoy small town life as well as hiking, camping, and backpacking in the mountains.
Land Protection
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Member Outings
Artist David Phillips and the dedicated artists show off their works of art at Goodwill Plantation
September 2015 – Goodwill Plantation – En Plein Air Painting Workshop
CLT and the Columbia Museum of Art partnered
this past fall to offer a unique en plein air painting event
celebrating art, history, and conservation. This oil painting
workshop was held at Goodwill Plantation, an historic
property located in the heart of the COWASEE Basin, one of
CLT's focus areas for conservation. While the original event
was cancelled due to flooding at Goodwill, a small group of
local painters ventured out for another chance to experience
the plantation and its natural heritage. They wove their way
from Goodwill’s scenic entrance to meet in the heart of
the property near the old caretaker’s house in a large, open
meadow.
Sally Faulkenberry, a caretaker of Goodwill Plantation,
gave attendees a brief tour of the buildings on the land,
highlighting the significance of the slave cabins that remain
on the property as evidence of Goodwill’s past as a working
cotton and rice plantation. She also introduced the workshop
participants to the old grist mill and blacksmith shop
pointing out the rebuilt water wheel and the proximity of the
picturesque pond to the mill.
After the tour and introduction to the historic nature
of the property, the painters received initial pointers from
artist David Phillips about landscape painting. Then, painters
set up their canvases in a location of their choice in the
large field adjacent to the former caretaker’s home. As the
participants began to formulate their landscape view, David
inquired about their perspective and provided personal
instruction to each artist.
The workshop attendees took a short break for lunch
and returned to their paintings to put the finishing touches
on their landscapes. Late in the afternoon, David reconvened
the attendees in a circle to present each completed painting
and allow the artists to provide constructive critiques for
each other’s works. Each painter described the thoughts
behind painting their particular surroundings, and the other
participants provided positive and instructional commentary
about their final pieces.
David offered concluding words of advice to each painter
and encouraged them to follow their interest in and passion
for outdoor painting. CLT would like to thank Larry and
Jerry Faulkenberry as well as Sally Faulkenberry and David
Phillips for making this very special day available to our
members!
Riders enjoy the woodland trails at Clemson’s Hard Scramble property
October 2015 – Clemson Hard Scramble Property – Fall Trail RideUnusually sunny fall weather provided the perfect
backdrop for CLT’s fall trail ride at the Hard Scramble
property owned by the Clemson University Real Estate
Foundation. The gorgeous 853-acre property, which borders
the Wateree River, is well hidden from public view, and has
been protected through a conservation easement with CLT
since 2013.
About two dozen riders and horses came together to
enjoy an idyllic trail ride through eight miles of diverse
terrain, which ranged from open meadow to dense woods.
A highlight of the ride was a short side trail to a bluff
overlooking the Wateree River, where riders paused to reflect
on the beauty of the river and the land, and to silently thank
those who have the foresight to protect South Carolina’s
wonderful resources.
Cited by many as one of the most beautiful trail rides
they had ever seen, riders meandered back on a winding path
1414
Member Outings
14
James Hugh Ryan and John Cely lead Brown Bag participants through scenic Dixie Plantation
February 2016 – Dixie Plantation – Winter Brown BagCLT members Janet and James Hugh Ryan served as
hosts for the Winter Brown Bag at Dixie Plantation on a
chilly, but sunny, Saturday in February. The Ryan’s property
is located in Sumter County in the “High Hills of Santee,”
very near the Stateburg National Historic District.
Approximately 15 CLT members and guests assembled
in the Ryan’s log home where James Hugh spoke about
Dixie Plantation’s fragmented past and his efforts to
recombine family lands over the past 50 years. He noted
Dixie Plantation may have
been part of a larger plantation
system developed along the
King’s Highway from Camden
to Charleston with much of
the land used for agricultural
production. Currently, the
land is utilized and managed
for outdoor recreation and
forest stewardship and tree
farm programs.
James Hugh pointed out
to attendees that a portion of
his land was placed under a
conservation easement with
CLT in 2011. He noted the
easement was developed in
cooperation with landowners
on eight contiguous properties
to protect the scenic viewshed along Highway 261. James
Hugh’s future plans involve conserving the remainder of
Dixie Plantation through an additional easement.
After James Hugh’s initial overview of the property, John
Cely led a short hike along a gravel road through pine and
mixed-hardwood stands pointing out yellow jasmine buds
and the early signs of spring. Along the trail, attendees also
noted signs of wildlife, including various raccoon, turkey
and deer tracks. Additionally, Brown Bag participants were
treated to stories about the historic ice pond on the property
where, when frozen, ice would be cut and stored in an
icehouse for later use.
A highlight of the Brown Bag was the ephemeral ground
spring that John explained was stained red from the red clay
sediment the water flowed through to reach the ground.
From the spring, the CLT members moved through open
canopy hardwoods with
sunlight filtering through
the trees and passed by the
duck pond and the larger lake
where they encountered wood
ducks, buffleheads and greater
scaup.
After the walk through
this scenic property, the
members returned to the
cabin where they enjoyed
their brown bag lunches.
Attendees relaxed on the front
porch of the house engaging
in conversation, while some
perused the dock area by the
pond and ate their lunches
along the water’s edge. As a
wonderful conclusion to the
day’s events, Janet offered freshly baked brownies to all guests
for dessert! CLT would like to thank James Hugh and Janet
Ryan as well as John Cely for serving as wonderful hosts and
tour guides for this outing!
For more information, visit https://vimeo.
com/149779533 to watch a short video about Dixie
Plantation.
that led to a stream crossing where thirsty horses appreciated
the clear, free-flowing water.
Riders, staff members and additional guests then
convened on neighboring Mac Willetts’ property for a
catered lunch and fellowship in a rustic open barn, while
the horses were well provided for in an enclosed paddock
within sight of the lunch tables. Colorful tablecloths and
centerpieces full of sunflowers adorned each table and added
to the casual, laidback atmosphere.
As participants relaxed after lunch, Executive Director
Stuart White welcomed new and existing CLT members
and introduced them to the Land Trust’s mission and
achievements, while Coy Myers, forester for the Clemson
property, explained his role managing the timber and road
systems.
Additionally, Mac Willetts kept attendees entertained
with stories of Native American tribes who had lived on
the property. After the presentations, some members took
advantage of the opportunity for an afternoon ride and
continued to explore the property’s woodland trails until late
in the day.
CLT is grateful for the hospitality provided by the
Clemson University Real Estate Foundation, Coy Myers, and
Mac Willetts for the unique opportunity to experience such a
lovely property!
15155515
Member Outings
Marsha Hewitt and Chiaro in front of long-time caretaker Nolan “Red” Taylor’s home and grave at Hobcaw Barony
March 2016 – Hobcaw Barony – Spring Trail RideSpring rains held off just long enough for CLT members
to take part in a trail ride touring Hobcaw Barony, a
16,000-acre research reserve located near Georgetown that
was formerly owned by Belle W. Baruch. This property
was entrusted to The Belle W. Baruch Foundation after
Belle’s death, and the Foundation’s primary mission is to
conserve Hobcaw Barony’s diverse ecosystems and cultural
resources for research and education. As a result, this pristine
plantation near the Waccamaw River contains more than 70
cultural sites, including cemeteries and slave cabins as well as
the Baruch’s homes.
Earlier this year, Hobcaw Barony staff graciously invited
CLT members to bring their horses to take advantage of
11 miles of marked trails and discover this immaculately
conserved land. Staff also welcomed riders to experience the
history behind Belle Baruch’s home and stables at Bellefield,
the slave community at Friendfield Village, and Bernard
Baruch’s Hobcaw House.
of the landscape: huge
live oaks draped with
Spanish moss, young and
ancient pine trees, wax
myrtles scenting the air,
causeways over marsh
land that had been rice
fields, and lovely views of
Winyah Bay. Some of the
riders had read Baroness
of Hobcaw: The Life of
Belle W. Baruch and
were especially delighted
to ride trails that Belle
herself had ridden and
see Belle’s house, stable,
and the gravesite of her
favorite horse, Souriant.
CLT members
enjoyed a brown bag
lunch on the property
and headed out for a quick afternoon ride to experience more
of the plantation’s historic and natural appeal. In addition,
Hobcaw Barony and The Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology
and Forest Science partnered with the Center for Birds of
Prey to release a Bald Eagle into the wild during the time
CLT riders were on the property. This juvenile eagle was
recently spotted near the initial release point and the hope is
that the eagle makes Hobcaw Barony its permanent home!
CLT is grateful for the hospitality provided by The Belle W.
Baruch Foundation, Executive Director George Chastain and
Hobcaw Barony staff and expresses sincere thanks for making
this unique spring excursion so welcoming and enjoyable!
During a two-hour morning ride through the heart
of the plantation, CLT members discovered the charm of
Hobcaw Barony. Executive Director George Chastain and
his staff ensured each trail provided beautiful views of the
marsh, old-growth forests, and lovely vignettes around every
turn. Scattered throughout the property, docents provided
historical details about the Baruchs and their love for the
land, which was originally used as a winter hunting retreat.
Trail ride attendees were allowed to tour the Bellefield
stables and the grounds at Friendfield Village where they
encountered the only fully intact slave village on the Grand
Strand.
In addition to the fascinating structures on the property,
members were captivated by the tremendous natural beauty
The bald eagle is successfully released by its handler back into its natural habitat. Photo courtesy of Hobcaw Barony
In every walk with Natureone receives far more
than he seeks.
— John Muir
Game & Garden Feast
16
Dedicated and New Members Enjoy a Spring Feast at Hay Hill Garden Market!
Pictured above clockwise: Bill and Erwin Boyd. Bayne Parsons, Grace Merry Parsons and Anne Milliken. Kevin and Lightsey Jett.
17
Joe and Julianne Reynolds, Executive Director Stuart White and Season Zeigler
Game & Garden Feast
The crowd enjoyed music by The Mustache Brothers
18
CLT 2015 Fall CelebrationDue to the historic flooding throughout South Carolina in
Fall 2015, the Congaree Land Trust took the unprecedented
step of cancelling the 2015 Fall Celebration at Poinsett State
Park. While CLT missed enjoying a fun day outdoors with our
friends and supporters, we would still like to acknowledge our
generous sponsors and event partners.
Invitations to CLT’s Brown Bag Outings and reduced admission to our Fall Celebration
are included as part of your membership package. We hope you will join us and take
part in these special events!
Corporate SponsorsAgSouth Farm CreditAmerican Forestry ManagementMilliken ForestryNBSCScott & Company
Event PartnersBloom Hill CemeteryClassical American Homes Preservation TrustThe Fresh MarketMillford PlantationPoinsett State ParkSC Department of Natural Resources
Game & Garden Feast
ChefsKen DuBard – The Congaree Milling CompanyWill Lacey – Yellow Dog BarbecueLarry Platt – Let’s Cook Culinary StudioJessica Shillato – Spotted Salamander Catering
HostsLee and Fred GanttHelen and Tucker LaffitteAngie and Bret MealingAnna and Tombo MillikenJane and Mark SalleyJenny and Jamie Walker
Event SponsorsAgSouth Farm CreditBreakthru Beverage South CarolinaCity RootsThe Congaree Milling CompanyConquest Brewing CompanyDavidson-McNair Group – Morgan StanleyGreek BoysHay Hill Garden MarketKW BeverageManchester FarmsMilliken ForestryVistaBank601 Deer & Hog Processing
A special thank you to all of those who made the Game & Garden Spring Feast
a success!
Annual Fall Event
Children’s Fishing SponsorPure Fishing/Shakespeare
Paddling SponsorRiver Runner Outdoor Center
19
On June 6, 2015, Mast General Store celebrated its 13th annual Land Trust Day. This friend-raising event encourages memberships in the Congaree Land Trust and provides an opportunity to learn how we are preserving South Carolina’s land heritage.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Mast General Store in Columbia for donating a percentage of their daily store sales to support land protection in the Midlands! We are also grateful to everyone who came out to shop and support our mission of conserving scenic lands in our region!
Welcome to Our New Members
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Abel
Alison Alford
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Allen
Larry Avins
Mr. and Mrs. Porter G. Barron
Rebecca Bertok
Robert Bethea
Alan and Susan Brill
Mr. and Mrs. Willard D. Brodie
Mr. and Mrs. Hardy Brown
Colleen Brunson
Claire Buchanan
Dr. and Mrs. George K Bumgardner
Robert and Gail Bunch
Francis and Nancy Burriss
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Willcox Buyck
Amy Cantey
Michael Cantley
Kathy Chaplin
Jerry Chivers
Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Clarke
Tom Coffey
Andrew Cole
Thomas K. Coleman
Carmony Corley
Edward Crosswell
Marvin Davant
Robert Davis
Barbara Derrick
Mary Desportes
Janet Detwiler
Charles Dinkins
David Dinkins
Steve Dinkins
Stephen Dinkins, Jr.
Jennie Linn Duffie
Michael Ely
Betsy Enzor
Mr. and Mrs. Hank Fisher
Laura Fogo
Mr. and Mrs. William Francis
Arthur Gonzales
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Grubb
Tom Hall
Dona Hamilton
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Hannon
Kat Hastie
Dorothy Helms and Marshall Colcord
Mr. and Mrs. Rick Hepfer
Ken Hoagland
C. Heath Hoover
Dr. Carolyn Hudson
Mr. and Mrs. Zack Hudson
Kevin and Lightsey Jett
Gwyn Jones
Sarah Jordan
Wade and Mary Keisler
Russell Lynn Kelley
Deanna Dill Kosciusko
Walt Krantz
Kerry Kuhlkin-Hornsby
Sharon Lafreniere
Gretchen Lambert
Mary-Louise LeVeen
Henry and Ursula Lucas
Joanne Ludwick
Robert Lundgren
Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Marks
Amanda McNulty and Edward
Wimberly
Jack and DoraAnn McKenzie
Rob and Marnie Milliken
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mitchum
Charles Moore
Jordan Morris
Lyman Munson
Lynn Murray
Charlotte Nohr
Terri O’Connor
George Owen
Tiffany Parnell
Gene Phillips
Trey Phillips
James Pittman
Britty Pointer
Dana and Eva Jane Rawl
Joe and Julianne Reynolds
Helen Richards
Heyward and Lee Robinson
Wendy Robinson
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth
Rosefield
Charlie Rountree
Matt Schnabel
Maryanne Schuessler
Betty Scott
Lee Senter
Mr. and Mrs. Dalmer Sercy
Kenneth Sercy
Kim Shiver
Bill Short
Whit Slagsvol
Mark and Alison Shepherd
Sunshine Smith
Renee Standera
Edward Stevenson
Kerry Stubbs
Rett Summerville
Robert Sutherland
Lawrence Taylor
Becky Thayer
Porter Thompkins
Melanie Trimble
Gene and Mary Trotter
Reverend and Mrs. John Trump
Jamie and Jenny Walker
Joe and Tracie Walker
Bliss Watson
Bright Williamson
John and Kathryn Williamson
Carmen Willm
Derrick Wrigley
Ashley Yarbrough
Season Zeigler
Sue Ziemke
Membership
Mast General Store Celebrates 2015 Land Trust Day
20
From Our Magazine Sponsor
Up on the RoofColumbiana Centre Goes Solar
By Ginny Jones
It’s Friday morning at Columbiana Centre in Columbia,
S.C. Shoppers, mall walkers and students on a field trip are
bustling around. Laughing, talking, they stop at storefronts
to see what’s new. But one of the newest things at the mall is
something they can’t see.
Up on the roof, contractors are installing solar panels,
converting this formerly empty space into a state-of-the-art
electric generation facility. Columbiana Centre’s 300 kW
solar installation is one of the largest customer-owned solar
generation facilities on SCE&G’s system. The mall is one
of the first customers to participate in SCE&G’s recently
approved solar incentive programs.
“Columbiana Centre was one of the first to really jump
into these new programs, and they’re the largest participant
we have to date,” said Wil Bledsoe, renewable energy
engineer for SCE&G. “They’re helping SCE&G increase our
electric generation using renewable energy resources.”
In recent years, Columbiana Centre has been working
to reduce its energy use, according to Paul Hampton,
account manager for SCE&G. Hampton has worked with
Columbiana Centre for 16 years and has seen the mall put
significant effort toward saving energy. One of the main
ways the mall saves energy is by relying on the sun to provide
natural light through the building’s many windows and
skylights. The mall has also replaced the light bulbs on its
iconic carousel with LED light bulbs, and they’re working
on adding LED lights in the parking lot. The mall pays
close attention to controlling their heating and cooling costs
during winter and summer months.
When Columbiana Centre General Manager Andy
Peach contacted SCE&G about going solar, Hampton wasn’t
surprised.
“They have always been willing to think about ways
to reduce energy usage, and they’ve brought ideas to us,
including going solar,” Hampton said. With 820,000 square
feet of retail space underneath, the roof of Columbiana
Centre is an ideal location for solar panels – a large, flat,
unused space with plenty of unobstructed sunlight.
Columbiana Centre contracted with Safari Energy to
install the solar panels, and SCE&G has also played a role
in helping the mall prepare to generate solar electricity.
Although the mall has been an SCE&G electric customer
since it was built, becoming a solar customer will add a new
dimension to the relationship. When the mall’s solar panels
begin to generate electricity, SCE&G will purchase that
power in exchange for credits that will help the mall offset
the cost of its monthly electric bill.
“Our role in this was primarily as facilitator,” Hampton
said. “Solar customers need meters that can track not
only the kilowatt hours they’re using, but also how many
they’re selling, or putting back onthe system. Our metering
group worked with the mall’s electrical rooms to get those
installed.”
Because the solar installation is so large, it’s possible
Columbiana Centre will soon generate more electricity
with solar panels than it uses. If so, the mall would not only
eliminate electricity costs, but would also profit from the sale
of solar power back to SCE&G.
“I’m excited to see what the overall picture of usage and
generation will look like in the coming months,” Hampton
said. “The great thing is that we already know this will add
clean power to our system, so it’s already a win for SCE&G
customers and the environment of South Carolina.”
It was the environment of South Carolina that state
legislators had in mind in 2014 when they passed South
Carolina Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Program Act,
which calls on South Carolina’s investor-owned utilities to
generate electricity using renewable energy resources and to
incent customers to invest in renewable energy generation,
such as solar panels.
Under the guidelines of Act 236, SCE&G developed
both customer-scale solar programs and plans for utility scale
solar generation. SCE&G’s DER programs call for adding
42 megawatts (MW) of customer-scale solar generation to
the utility’s system and adding 42 MW of utility-scale solar
generation as well.
By 2020, SCE&G will have at least 84 MW of solar
generation on its system, with more than 30 MW of that
coming online by the end of 2016.
Peach says the solar panels are a significant step to
the mall’s continued efforts to save energy and be a good
corporate citizen.
“We’re proud to make this happen,” Peach said.
Photo by Robert Clark
For more information on how to purchase, please contact our office at 803-988-0000.
Show your support of land conservation in central South Carolina with these great looking items!
CLT Hat $18
CLT – T-Shirt $15 - $18
(S-XL) (2XL)
CLT Visor $15
Koozies $3
COWASEE BASIN Book $35
21
STEWARDSHIP DONORSC. Heath Hoover
DDK Management LLC
Deer & Duck LLC
Dinkins Mill LLC
For Ducks LLC
Hickory Top LLC
Hickory Top Hunt Club LLC
Larry Avins
Mark and Alison Shepherd
GRANTORSBassett Foundation
The Conservation Fund
Darnall and Susan Boyd Foundation
Dibble Family Fund of Central Carolina
Community Foundation
Dorothy D. Smith Charitable
Foundation
Edward and Dorothy Kendall
Foundation
Francis Beidler Foundation
John J. and Inez K. Ross Charitable
Fund
Lucy Hampton Bostick Residual Trust
Martin Family Foundation
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Norcross Wildlife Foundation
Poston Family Fund of Central Carolina
Community Foundation
South Carolina Conservation Bank
South Carolina Electric & Gas
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wateree Floodlands Memorial Forest
Inc.
EVENT SPONSORS AND PARTNERSAgSouth Farm Credit
American Forestry Management
Bloom Hill Cemetery
Breakthru Beverage South Carolina
City Roots
Classical American Homes
Preservation Trust
Columbia Museum of Art
Congaree Milling Company
Davidson-McNair Group –
Morgan Stanley
The Fresh Market
Greek Boys
Hay Hill Garden Market
Hobcaw Barony
Let’s Cook Culinary Studio
Manchester Farms
Millford Plantation
Milliken Forestry
NBSC
Nonnah’s
Poinsett State Park
Pure Fishing/Shakespeare
River Runner Outdoor Center
Scott & Company
South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources
Spotted Salamander Catering
VistaBank
Yellow Dog Barbecue
601 Deer & Hog Processing
MEMORIAL AND HONOR GIFTSIn Honor of John Caskey
– Dr. Alden Sweatman
In Honor of Dr. and Mrs. Mark Salley
– Chip and Linda Heartfield
In Honor of Dr. Edmund R. Taylor
– Mr. and Mrs. Edmund H. Hardy
– Pauline and Ken Mattox
– Mr. and Mrs. Julius W. McKay
In Honor of Wayne Weiss
– Carol Barnett
In Memory of Dr. Henry W. Asbill Jr.
– Mr. and Mrs. Peter Balbach
– Mr. and Mrs. Porter G. Barron
– Mr. and Mrs. James W. Cantey, Jr.
– Carolina Internal Medicine
– Mr. and Mrs. William P. Cate
– Dr. and Mrs. Joe Cheatham
– Susan DesPortes
– Mr. and Mrs. John Durst
– Mr. and Mrs. B. Lee Floyd
– Mr. and Mrs. L. Marion Gressette, III
– Dr. and Mrs. Henley H. Hurt, Jr.
– Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Jackson
– Mr. and Mrs. Will Lacey, III
– Mr. and Mrs. Julius W. McKay
– Mr. John McKenzie
– Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKenzie
– Mr. Samuel F. Reese
– Mr. and Mrs. Eric Ruschky
– Mr. and Mrs. Stuart White
– Ms. Elizabeth Williams
In Memory of Clay Brennecke
– Mr. and Mrs. Will Lacey, III
In Memory of Marshall Kibler
– Mr. and Mrs. Julius W. McKay
In Memory of Wendell Levi, Jr.
– Mary Lynda Tiller Dutcher
In Memory of Murray Lide
– Dr. and Mrs. Edmund R. Taylor
In Memory of Alice Nolte
– Mr. and Mrs. Will Lacey, III
In Memory of Dr. Julian “Nat” Salley
– Baker & Baker Foundation
– Susan Bateman
– Mr. and Mrs. Sam I. Baxter
– Dr. Mary Elizabeth Blanchard
– Dr. Robert H Blease
– Mrs. Jean W. Blount
– Bonitz, Inc.
– Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Bowers
– Sara Buck
– Mr. and Mrs. T. Moffatt Burriss, Jr.
– Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Willcox Buyck
– Lalla Lee Campsen
– Sarah Carroll
– Mr. and Mrs. William P. Cate
– Marjorie M. Clayton
– Columbia Property Management
– Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Arlen Cotter, Jr.
– Mrs. Merle B. Cox
– Mr. and Mrs. Hampton H. Culler
– Mr. and Mrs. Brian Curran
– Robbie DaSilva
– Mr. and Mrs. Donen Davis
– Mr. and Mrs. Robert Derrick
– Mr. and Mrs. Norman E. Dowling
– Bruce Ehrlich
– Mr. and Mrs. Simpson Fant
– Ms. Jessie Ford
– Mr. and Mrs. David D. Gardiner
– John Lyles Glenn
– Dr. Albert C. Goodyear
– Mr. and Mrs. Doug Graczyk
– Mr. Thomas L. Gregory
– Mr. and Mrs. L. Marion Gressette, III
– Mrs. George C. Hart
– Dr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Hearon, III
– Mr. and Mrs. Maurice K. Heartfield, III
– Mr. and Mrs. J. Cantey Heath
– Marvis K. Hemphill
– Mr. and Mrs. James A. Herlong
– Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hill
– Dr. and Mrs. Rice R. Holcombe
– Mr. and Mrs. Philip C. Honig
– Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hudson
– Dr. and Mrs. Henley H. Hurt, Jr.
– Claudia S. Jenkins
– J.W. Hunt and Company, LLP
– Jeanne C. Kean
– Ms. Harriet Keenan
– Mr. and Mrs. James C. Kelly
– Mr. and Mrs. William J. Kelly
– Mr. and Mrs. W. James Kitchens
– Mrs. Mildred B. Knowlton
– Mr. and Mrs. Robert Y. Knowlton
– Dr. and Mrs. M. Tucker Laffitte, Jr.
– Rebecca Laffitte
– Mr. Francis R. Lamb
– Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lambe
– Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Layden
– Mr. Frank B. Lott
Thank you to all of our generous and loyal donors.
Donors
22
A zebra swallowtail, summer form, resting on butterfly milkweed.
Paddlers enjoy a sunny afternoon on the Broad River at the Hendricks’ property in Richland County.
Donors
23
– Ms. Catherine Mayo
– Mary Clare McAbee
– Mr. and Mrs. Mark McClam
– Smyth McCrady
– Mr. and Mrs. Earl McFadden
– Mrs. Suzanne G. McIntyre
– Dr. Anne-Courtney Miller
– Miller-Valentine Construction
– Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Milliken
– Mr. and Mrs. M. Burgess Mills, Jr.
– Ms. Geraldine Moore
– Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker Moore
– Mr. John H. Moorman
– Mr. and Mrs. J. Kenneth Morris,
Jr.
– Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Mungo
– Cornelia “Nenie” S. Pasky
– Dr. and Mrs. David H. Postles
– Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Prezioso
– Dr. and Mrs. William Rambo
– Dr. and Mrs. C. Ford Rivers
– Pamela J. Roberts and Joel H.
Smith
– George W. Rogers
– Lyn and Doug Schultz
– Ms. Jenny Shealy
– Mr. Don H. Shirley
– Mrs. William D. Shull
– Mr. and Mrs. Bill Slagsvol
– Dr. and Mrs. Jack M. Smith
– Lee and Hale Stephenson
– Mr. and Mrs. Paul F. Stewart
– Dr. and Mrs. Frank Strait
– Mrs. Mary Strasburger
– Dr. and Mrs. William J. Strohecker
– Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Suggs
– Mr. and Mrs. R. Caughman Taylor
– Dr. and Mrs. Edmund R. Taylor
– Ms. Mitzie F. Trotter
– Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Turner
– Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Utsey Jr.
– Mr. and Mrs. Felix D. Walker
– Mr. and Mrs. James H. Walker
– Ms. Gail Wallace
– Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Weiland
– Mr. and Mrs. William B. Wells
– Mr. and Mrs. Stuart White
– Dr. and Mrs. Welbourne White
– Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Wilson, Jr.
– Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Wyman
– Mr. and Mrs. Peter Young
– Mr. and Mrs. Belton T. Zeigler
In Memory of Fred Smith
– Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Smith
In Memory of Bobbie Tiller
– Mary Lynda Tiller Dutcher
In Memory of George R.P. Walker
– Dr. and Mrs. Edmund R. Taylor
2015 ANNUAL APPEAL$1,000 +Francis Beidler Foundation
$250 - $999Mrs. Edward B. Beard
Mr. and Mrs. T. Moffatt Burriss, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Herlong
Mrs. Gail G. Morrison
Mary and Francis Neuffer
Virginia E. Newell and Robert Wilkins
Anne and Alan Reyner
Dr. and Mrs. Mark H. Salley
Mr. and Mrs. Joel A. Smith, III
Mr. and Mrs. David C. Sojourner, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Belton T. Zeigler
$100 - $249Tyler Baldwin, Jr.
J.J. Britton
Dr. and Mrs. William Cain, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Cate
Duckford Plantation, Inc.
Cynthia Flynn and Guy Jones
Mr. and Mrs. John Grove
Mr. and Mrs. E. Robertson Kibler
Susan M. Krotz
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas P. Lampshire
Mr. James M. Lyles, III
Mr. and Mrs. Don Mathis
Frank R. McLeod
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Moses
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ness
Mr. and Mrs. Warren J. Owens
Dr. Sam Riddle
River Runner Outdoor Center
Mrs. Kathryn W. Salley
Dr. Richard M. Sasnett
Mr. and Mrs. George M. Sensor
Anne Sinclair and Julian Ruffin
Donna Smith and Don Kidd
Richard E. Watkins
– In Honor of Sam and Kam Arant
Dr. John A. Wells, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Don Wuori
$25 - $99Dr. and Mrs. William D. Anderson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Baxley
Mr. and Mrs. Clinch H. Belser, Jr.
Mrs. Natalie T. Bergholz
Mr. and Mrs. Willard D. Brodie
William A. Bunch
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Cebulski
Margaret and John Cely
Judie Chapman
Bruce Cockerill
Nora and Arland Compton
Dixie Plantation Limited Partnership
Ronald C. Dodson
LaNelle DuRant
Mary Lynda Tiller Dutcher
Anne Johnston Gregg
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Grimball, II
Selvin Harrell
Kate Hartley
Dorothy Helms and Marshall Colcord
Dr. Jeffrey Hubbell
Ms. Geraldine F. Ingersoll
Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Kluiters
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Madden
Hillary McDonald
Mr. and Mrs. Joe McElveen
Mr. and Mrs. James McIntosh
Mr. and Mrs. V. Grainger McKoy
Mrs. Pam Milliken Reed
Rett Summerville
Angela Valvasori and Ron Ahle
Sylvia and Hal Varn
Candy Y. Waites
Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Welling
Sue Ziemke
CORPORATE MEMBERSCorporate Benefactor $2,500+
Corporate Friend $1,000 - $2,499Burriss Building Systems, Inc.
Chaplin Company
Corporate Supporter $500-$999Law Offices of Ronald C. Dodson
Republic Services
South Carolina Conservation Credit
Exchange
Southern First Bank
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSBenefactor $1,000 +Mr. and Mrs. Clinch H Belser, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Cate
Mr. and Mrs. L. Marion Gressette, III
Mr. and Mrs. Donald T. Marshall
Ann Nolte and Hank W. Stallworth
Sponsor $500 - $999Mr. and Mrs. Robin H. Dial
Dr. and Mrs. Lanneau D. Lide, Jr.
Dr. Ruben L. Mayer
Mr. and Mrs. John M.G. McLeod
Ann and C. Hardy Oliver
Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Salley
Dr. and Mrs. Mark H. Salley
Anne Sinclair and Julian Ruffin
Mr. and Mrs. David C. Sojourner, Jr.
Mr. Michael Tighe
Mr. J. David Wertz
Cypress trees in the morning light.
Angel Allen enjoying en plein air painting at Goodwill Plantation in Richland County.
Blooming lotus flower.
Donors
24
Friend $250 - $499Ms. Judy C. Anderson
Caroline Dixon Bartman
Mrs. Edward B. Beard
Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Beard, III
Mr. Francis Beidler, III
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Boyd
Mr. and Mrs. Moultrie B. Burns, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Patrick Dorn, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. David E. Dukes
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Fitts
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Herlong
Ms. Beth Johnston
Mr. and Mrs. Otis C. Johnston, III
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Jordan
Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. Kinzer
Mr. and Mrs. T. C. R. Legare, Jr.
Mrs. Kathryn Levi
Bee K. Manning
J. Quitman Marshall
Judy and George L. McCoy
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Milliken
Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Moore, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Franklyn D. Owen, III
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Pringle
Anne and Alan J. Reyner
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. Roach
Dr. Richard M. Sasnett
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Siggelko
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Simmons
Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Welling
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart White
Mr. and Mrs. Benton D. Williamson
Patron $100 - $249 Alderman-Shaw Co., LLC
Dr. and Mrs. William D. Anderson, Jr.
Jane Armstrong and Barry Beasley
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Baker
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Balbach
Mrs. Natalie T. Bergholz
Mrs. Jean W. Blount
Katherine A. Boyle
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Boyle
Mr. and Mrs. John Bradshaw
Mr. and Mrs. Don Brunson
Mr. and Mrs. Edward K. Bynum
Dr. and Mrs. William Cain, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Cantey, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Cate, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Cate, Sr.
J. Walker Cate
Mr. William E. Caughman, III
Mr. John E. Cely
Mr. and Mrs. Steven E. Collum
Mr. Allen W. Conger
Susan and Robert Creed
Dr. and Mrs. William F. Crosswell
Mr. and Mrs. Hayne Culler
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Cunningham
Dr. Sanford H. Daniel
Ms. Sharon A. Dantzler
Mr. and Mrs. John Mark Dean
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Derrick
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Derrick
Mr. and Mrs. J. Donald Dial, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. John Dickinson
Dixie Plantation Limited Partnership
Mr. and Mrs. Osmund W. Dixon
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas B. Doster
Gloria C. Douglass
Mrs. Charles Wills DuBose
Mr. and Mrs. B. Randolph Dunlap, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. John Durst
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L Echols, Jr.
Philip L. Edwards
Dan Fairey
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Faulkenberry
Dr. Paula R. Feldman
Cynthia Flynn and Guy Jones
Karen and Ronald Galloway
Lee and Fred Gantt
Dr. Albert C Goodyear
Mary Ann Grandjean and Duncan
Buell
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Gross
Mr. and Mrs. John Grove
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Harpootlian
Kate Hartley
Mrs. E. W. Haselden
Dr. and Mrs. E. W. Haselden, Jr.
Mr. Theodore B Hayne, IV
Christian Hendricks
Mr. and Mrs. John S. Hesley
Susan and David Hodges
Dr. Jeffrey Hubbell
Dr. and Mrs. Henley H. Hurt, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. William Jackson
Betsy A. Kaemmerlen
Mr. Robert Key
Mr. and Mrs. E. Robertson Kibler
Mr. and Mrs. Barry T. Kight
Mr. and Mrs. David Kirven
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Laney
Mr. Tommy Laney
Dr. and Mrs. Clayton R. Lowder, III
Mr. James M. Lyles, III
Frank Mack
Valerie G. Marcil and Henry Nechemias
Mr. and Mrs. Don Mathis
Mr. and Mrs. F. Locke Mays
Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. McCallum
Smyth McCrady
Dr. and Mrs. F.D. McDonald
Mr. Frank R. McLeod
Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. McLeod, III
Drs. Brooks and June Metts
Dr. Anne-Courtney Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Milliken, Jr.
William F. Milliken, II
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. Moore, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. F. Page Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ness
Mary and Francis Neuffer
Dr. and Mrs. James W. Nichols
Mr. and Mrs. Hubert D. Osteen, Jr.
Palmetto Garden Club
Terry and Sam Phillips
Mr. and Mrs. William L. Pope
Mr. John C. Rich, III
Richland County Conservation
Commission
Drew Robb
Debbie and Mark Robertson
Salters Plantation
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Scofield
Mr. and Mrs. George M. Sensor
Senator and Mrs. Vincent Sheheen
John S. Shockley
Becky and Benjamin Skelley
Donna Smith and Don Kidd
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Smith
Suzanne McCutchen Smith
Mr. and Mrs. David Stack
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Stallworth
JoAnn and William Stevenson
Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Stokes
Kate and Rock Stratman
Carole and George Summers
Freda and West Summers
Mr. Motte L. Talley
Dr. and Mrs. Edmund R. Taylor
Dr. and Mrs. John R. Ureda
Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Weiland
Mr. and Mrs. William B. Wells
Mr. Jeremy G. Wilson
Mr. Foster H. Yarborough, Jr.
Supporter $50 - $99Mr. and Mrs. Roger Ackerman
Dr. Julian C. Adams
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Barnett
Mr. and Mrs. Sterling W. Beckman
Mr. James A. Boylston
Elizabeth M. and John P. Britton
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas C. Brown
Mr. William A. Bunch
Dr. Nancy and Mr. M. Judson Busbee
Ann Cargill and David White
Mr. and Mrs. Hunter L Clarkson
Mr. Raymond L. Cohen
Railroad bridge that is part of the Palmetto Trail crossing the Wateree River.
John Cely leads Brown Bag attendees on a hike at Dixie Plantation in Sumter County.
A barred owl poses with Spanish moss in the COWASEE Basin.
Donors
25
Mike Keim
Mr. and Mrs. George S. King, Jr.
Davis A. Kirkpatrick
Mr. and Mrs. Tuck Laffitte, III
Mr. Marvin I. Lare
Mr. and Mrs. R. Laine Ligon
Mr. and Mrs. Langdon D. Long
Wyndham Manning
Rabbi and Mrs. Sanford Marcus
Mast General Store
Mr. and Mrs. John B. McArthur
Jamie Young McCulloch
Ms. Hillary McDonald
Mr. and Mrs. Joe McElveen
Cornelia and Zach McGhee, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen H. McInnis
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas McKay III
B. G. (Ret.) Hugh M. McLaurin, III
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas N. McLean
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Melanson
Mr. and Mrs. James Robert Metts
Meribeth and Bob Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Beau Powell
Mr. and Mrs. Garry Powers
Susan H. Prettyman
Mr. John C. Pritchett
Jean Prothro
Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Purcell, Jr.
Frank Rainwater
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Rice, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Doug Ruff
Mr. and Mrs. David Schuetrum
Dr. Jack Shelburg
Mr. and Mrs. George Shissias
Kathy and Emerson Smith
Louise A. Steffens
Dwight L. Stewart
Lynn and George Teague
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Temple
Dr. Steven B. Tollison
Mr. and Mrs. Everette E. Tompkins
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas N Truslow
Sylvia and Hal Varn
Mr. and Mrs. Luther B. Wannamaker, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Julian Watson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Weir
Robert S. Wells and Lucilla F. Schoenlein
Karyn White
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Wilcox
Carol L. Williams
Dr. and Mrs. T.D. Williams
Individual $35 - $49Mr. Robert Alexander
Mrs. Kam M. Arant
Mr. Sam Arant
Todd Barrett
Mrs. Keller H. Barron
Mr. William R. Bauer
Ms. Laura A. Blake-Orr
Melissa Brundage
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Bryan
Ms. Mary R. Bull
Margaret Claypool
Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick Alling Clements
Cathy Corbett
Mrs. Nancy M. Dunbar
Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Gantt
Gabrielle Glenn
Melanie Glenn
Woody Graham
Ms. Peggy Greaves
Stuart Greeter, Jr.
Dr. Anna Griswold
Mr. Wayne M. Grooms
Mr. Selvin Harrell
Vi Hendley
Marsha Hewitt
Mrs. Hope Johnson
Macfie Johnston
Ms. Sharon H. Kelly
Margaret Kherlopian
Mrs. J. Ernest Kinard, Jr.
Mrs. Mildred B. Knowlton
Ms. Susan M. Krotz
Donna Lowney
Wendy Manos
Dr. Francis N. McCorkle, Jr.
Mr. George T. McCutchen, Jr.
Mary Ellen McCutchen
Mr. and Mrs. James McIntosh
Linda Oberlender
Mrs. Dorothy G. Owen
Ms. Nancy J. Piester
Donna Pushic
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Seibels
Mr. James Shaw
Mr. Robert L. Sisson, Sr.
Mr. William Stanley
Caroline Stephenson
Mrs. Jacqueline M. Summers
Mr. Robert Sutherland
Liz Timmons
Mr. and Mrs. Charles P.R. Tisdale
Carol A. Tolen
Nancy G. Turner
JoAnn Turnquist
Dr. Gail Wagner
Candy Y. Waites
Mrs. Arrington Walker
Mr. Joe F. Watson
VOLUNTEERSBill Bunch
John Cely
Dan Fairey
Larry Faulkenberry
Jerry Faulkenberry
Sally Faulkenberry
Ann Gressette
Laura Haselden
Marsha Hewitt
Bernadette Jarvis
Kerry Kuhlkin-Hornsby
Susan Mathis
Frank McLeod III
Coy Myers
David Phillips
Jimmy Phillips
Zoe Raine
James Hugh Ryan
Janet Ryan
Jane Salley
Ed Siggelko
Julianne Sojourner
David Stack
Emily Van Seeters
Barbara Watson
Jimmy Watson
Kathy White
Mac Willetts
Mr. and Mrs. Creighton B. Coleman
Mr. and Mrs. G. Thomas Cooper, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Arlen Cotter, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Davidson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Davidson
Mr. and Mrs. P. Michael Davis
Ms. LaNelle DuRant
Mr. and Mrs. William E. DuRant, Jr.
Dr. Caroline Eastman
Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Ellsworth
Dr. Leon Ember
Janlou Emrich
Dr. and Mrs. V. Shaw Evans
Miss Martha M. Faucette
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Felix
Mr. and Mrs. B. Lee Floyd
Mr. Darren Foy
Mr. Sam Friedman
David H. Gantt
Nancy C. Gibbes
Elizabeth B. Glazebrook
Anne Johnston Gregg
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Grimball, II
Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton Grove
Allen S. Guignard
Ann L. Hagan and John H.Carmichael Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. J. William Haltiwanger, Jr.
Mr. John F. Hamilton
Dr. and Mrs. Simons Hane
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund H. Hardy
Beverly Harper
Mr. John E. Hart, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Hendricks
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Hopkins, J.P.
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hubbard
Mr. William Hunt
Mr. and Mrs. Jack S. Hupp
Rebecca Jacobson
Ms. Jane Hammond Jervey
Dr. Robert Jesselson and Ms. Sara
Schechter-Schoeman
Dr. Eugene H. Kaplan and Elena A.
Grynberg-Bekier
Mountain laurel blossoming on Dunn’s Mountain.
Gay Glenn and Kasey take in Hobcaw Barony’s pristine landscapes.
26
Stuart WhiteExecutive Director
Marisa CebulskiBusiness Operations Manager
Eugenia PayneDirector of Membership & Marketing
Staff
Emily Van SeetersSocial Media and Office InternEmily joined the CLT team in September 2014 and has been a huge help in updating our social media profiles as well as landowner contact information. She will be soon be a proud University of South Carolina graduate with a degree in Marine Science. Her next plans include moving to California to work as a marine science instructor for Catalina Island Marine Institute. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors!
Billy CateLand Protection Consultant
Mary CrockettLand Protection Director
John McLeodConservation Easement Consultant(not pictured)
DAVID PALECEK Land Stewardship CoordinatorDavid rejoined the CLT team in January 2016 to assist with the monitoring of the Land Trust’s 142 conservation easement properties. While we had hoped to keep David on longer, he managed to set a new record by monitoring 30 properties in one month! He recently accepted a position with DHEC as an Environmental Health Manager, and we wish David well in his new job!
2016 STAFF
We gratefully acknowledge SCE&G for its generous donation which helped print this magazine.
27
To learn more about making a donation or becoming a member of the Congaree Land
Trust, visit our website at congareelt.org or call (803) 988-0000
Founded in 1992, the Congaree Land Trust is in its third decade of conserving South Carolina’s scenic lands. It continues to work to help preserve our natural history and visual landscape, to protect water and air quality, and to make it possible for future generations to experience the recreational and agricultural opportunities that we enjoy today.
Your Support Helps Protect Additional Acreage in Central South Carolina!
Your support strengthens South Carolina’s natural resource-based economy, rural communities, and maintains a quality of life for
future generations.
Each year, your valuable membership dollars help the
Congaree Land Trust preserve additional acres of the
scenic South Carolina Midlands we enjoy today!
28,66332,732
49,99653,079
57,38161,938
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Congaree Land Trust - Protected Acreage
Become a CLT Member!We invite you to join the Congaree Land
Trust! As a member you will receive:
• Invitations to our members-only Brown Bag
outdoor excursions and reduced admission to our
popular Fall Celebration
• CLT E-Newsletter and Outlook magazine
Become a CLT Volunteer. Interested in volunteering your time and talent? We have
volunteer opportunities each month for land monitoring,
marketing, event planning, and website updates.
Become an Easement Donor.Consider placing a conservation easement on your
own property or family farm. CLT works with
landowners who voluntarily want to protect their
land. Landowners may qualify for tax benefits
on their federal, state, and estate taxes.
Give a Gift Membership. Gift memberships are available at all levels and make
wonderful birthday, anniversary, or graduation gifts for
friends and family members.
Make CLT Part of Your Planned Giving. • Gift of CLT Memorial or Honorarium
• Gift of Property
• Planned or Deferred Gifts
• Gift of Stock
The Congaree Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Support Congaree Land Trust
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Columbia, SC
PERMIT 557
P.O. Box 5232
Columbia, SC 29250
www.congareelt.org
Address Service Requested
We ALL BENEFIT from Conservation Easements which help provide:
• Improved Air and Water Quality
• Preservation of Farmland and Timberland
• Expanded Recreational Opportunities
• Preservation of Wildlife Habitat
• Protection of South Carolina’s Historic Legacy and Natural Heritage
• Economic Growth and Stability