Congaree Land Trust announces conservation of 221 acres in Kershaw County
November 25, 2025
Preserving Birthplace of South Carolina’s State Dog
KERSHAW COUNTY, SC — The Congaree Land Trust (CLT) announced the conservation of an additional 221 acres of land in Kershaw County. Pine Grove Plantation, located south of Camden, is now permanently protected through a conservation easement generously donated by landowners Rob and Karen Brown.
Located within the COWASEE Basin Focus Area and the Catawba Watershed, the property contributes to broader regional conservation efforts aimed at protecting critical natural resources, maintaining water quality, and preserving South Carolina’s working landscapes.
“We are honored to work with landowners like Rob and Karen Brown who are committed to preserving South Carolina’s natural heritage for future generations,” says Stuart White, CLT Executive Director. “Pine Grove Plantation represents the type of thoughtful land stewardship that benefits our entire community – protecting water quality, wildlife habitat, and the rural character that defines a way of life.”
Pine Grove Plantation also holds special significance as the birthplace of South Carolina’s state dog, the Boykin Spaniel. The property is meticulously maintained, with a fully restored historic home, a nine-acre stocked pond, and a horse pasture established on the grounds.
“Pine Grove Plantation is a very special part of South Carolina’s history, dating back to the 1700’s,” notes owners Rob and Karen Brown. “As the birthplace of the state dog, we have been honored to host field trials over the years. We now can be assured that this little brown dog’s birthplace will be enjoyed by generations to come and PGP’s beauty and peacefulness will shine from today onward. God blessed us with PGP and we are honored to be able to put His handiwork into a conservation easement for future generations!”
Pine Grove Plantation features diverse habitats including agricultural fields, ponds, mixed pine-hardwood forest, and bottomland hardwood forest. These varied ecosystems support populations of both game and non-game wildlife species, contributing to the ecological richness of the region.
Now under a conservation easement, Pine Grove Plantation will remain in private ownership while being permanently protected from development and other incompatible uses. The easement ensures the property will retain its natural, scenic, open-space, and historical values while remaining available for agricultural, forestry, recreational, and educational uses.
This property joins the growing portfolio of conserved lands in Kershaw County, strengthening the network of protected landscapes that sustain wildlife, clean water, and the agricultural heritage of the region.
About CLT
The Congaree Land Trust (CLT) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to conserving the natural and scenic lands of central South Carolina. To date over 100,000 acres have been conserved, representing 225 individual conservation easements across 15 counties. Conservation easements help protect the natural areas that fuel our state’s natural resources based economy and define our way of life.
