Lowcountry Land Trust announces the protection of culturally significant property in the Ashley River Historic District
March 12, 2025
Vital piece of land preserves scenic beauty, wildlife habitat, and the region’s rich cultural heritage
Lowcountry Land Trust, a nonprofit committed to preserving Lowcountry landscapes and waterways for current and future generations, announced the permanent protection of a 20-acre property along the Ashley River, thanks to the generosity of private landowners who donated a conservation easement on the land. This effort secures a vital piece of the nationally recognized Ashley River Historic District, reinforcing the ongoing commitment of protecting the region’s cultural, historical, and ecological legacy.
The property features a high bluff overlooking the Ashley River and contains significant wetlands and wildlife habitat. It contributes to the longstanding effort to conserve land of cultural, historical, and ecological importance in the 24,000-acre Ashley River Historic District. This region, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, represents over 300 years of history, including the Lowcountry’s inland and tidal rice cultivation heritage, the Civil War, post-Reconstruction phosphate mining industry, and the African American experience from slavery to freedom.
“Every acre protected contributes to the larger effort of conserving the Ashley River Historic District, ensuring that its cultural and ecological significance remains intact,” said David Ray, chief conservation officer at Lowcountry Land Trust. “This is another great example of private landowners stepping up to safeguard a nationally recognized region, preserving its history, scenic beauty, and environmental integrity.”
The conservation easement was made possible through collaboration with generous private landowners who share a commitment to preserving South Carolina’s unique landscapes. Their decision to conserve this land underscores the growing trend of private landowners acting in the public interest by securing scenic corridors, preserving water quality, and maintaining critical wildlife habitats.
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About Lowcountry Land Trust
Lowcountry Land Trust—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—permanently protects land throughout coastal South Carolina that is foundational to the area’s coastal ecosystem and residents’ quality of life. Having protected over 163,000 acres of land since its founding in 1986, Lowcountry Land Trust is one of the most impactful local land trusts in the United States. More information about Lowcountry Land Trust is available at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org.
