Lowcountry Open Land Trust receives $50,000 grant from Wells Fargo

CHARLESTON, SC – The Lowcountry Open Land Trust recently received a grant for $50,000 to support its work in the Cooper River Corridor Watershed. The Land Trust was one of 61 nonprofits nationwide to receive an environmental grant from the Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant program, funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

“Investing in our communities is one of the most important things we can do as a company,” said Wells Fargo Wealth Management Financial Advisor David McCallum. “Our commitment to Lowcountry Open Land Trust and the Cooper River Corridor Watershed Initiative connects directly with the vision and values of our company in that we want to create long-term economic prosperity and quality of life for everyone in our communities.”

As part of Wells Fargo’s $100 million philanthropy commitment to nonprofits and universities by 2020, a $15 million, five-year relationship with NFWF was created and launched in 2012 to promote environmental stewardship across the country. The goal of the Wells Fargo-NFWF grant partnership and program is to provide grants for highly impactful projects that link economic development and community well being to the stewardship and health of the environment.

Ashley Demosthenes, President of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust said, “Wells Fargo’s commitment to the development of its philanthropy program and funding to NFWF will leverage the conservation momentum achieved to date and will help advance as well as advance the goals of Wells Fargo’s Environmental Solutions. This partnership shows yet again that conservation is good business.”

The Lowcountry Open Land Trust was selected from among more than 450 requests submitted by local team members and nonprofits Wells Fargo identified as being in need of extra help with green revitalization projects. In April 2012, Wells Fargo released a set of environmental commitments to be achieved by 2020; including reducing the company’s environmental impact, financing the transition to a greener economy and encouraging stronger and more sustainable communities. Part of this goal includes a $100 million environmental grants commitment by 2020 to create a “greener” future for the communities they serve.

Director of Conservation for the Lowcountry Open Land Trust Garrett Budds said, “The Wells Fargo-NFWF partnership and program is critical to the success of our Cooper River Corridor watershed initiative,” said Garret Budds, “This type of collaborative conservation will catalyze additional conservation in the region and improves quality of life and recreational opportunities for all.”