Pee Dee Land Trust celebrates 10 years

FLORENCE - The Pee Dee Land Trust concluded its 10th anniversary year on a high note, closing three additional easements and adding three new members to its board during the month of December.

The easements closed represent 730 acres of geographically diverse and environmentally significant land throughout the Pee Dee region. In Marlboro County, T.A. “Tommy” O’Neal protected a farm on the edge of the Great Pee Dee Swamp, one of the rich bottomland areas that define our region. O’Neal’s property protects a diverse habitat for plants and animals including woodlands open wetlands and fields; it increases habitat value of the nearby Pee Dee Heritage Preserve and protects a scenic rural view – something we take for granted these days but which is rapidly vanishing across the country. The O’Neal family has been a stalwart supporter of the Land Trust’s mission for a number of years, so putting land under conservation easement was a natural step.

In Georgetown County, Bob Schofield worked with the trust to expand his conserved land. As he slowly but surely converts loblolly to longleaf pine forest, he is able to ensure permanent protection of the land from inappropriate development. This property, located in the Plantersville Community of Georgetown, is of particular conservation significance given its proximity to 8,000 acres of other protected properties, including the Department of Natural Resources’ Samworth Plantation, many historic plantations, and one of the most scenic and historic roads in Georgetown County. Conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited have worked on voluntary land protection projects in this area for years.

The third easement closed in December represents the trust’s first protected land in Horry County, an exciting step for the Land Trust. Working with Martin Barrier, the trust protected the Todd Swamp Tract along Highway 905. Black bear are known to inhabit this area, and the swamp feeds into the Waccamaw River very close to the Waccamaw Heritage Preserve. Pee Dee Land Trust is glad to be able to extend its conservation reach into Horry County and looks forward to additional projects there in 2010.

“Working in Horry County has long been a goal of the Pee Dee Land Trust, and we are glad that the project with Mr. Barrier worked out so well. There is a great need for conservation along the coast, and the Pee Dee Land Trust is well-positioned to assist landowners willing to take bold steps like Mr. Barrier,” said Jennie Williamson, Executive Director of the Pee Dee Land Trust.

With the addition of these easements, the land trust now protects nearly 12,000 acres across nine Pee Dee counties.

“Despite the sluggish economy, we continue to make real strides in conservation,” Williamson said. “Our members, our easement donors, our supporters — they all know what it takes to preserve our natural landscape. It is not an easy task. But we are committed, and are grateful for the support we continue to receive. We look forward to working on many new projects in 2010.”

In other news, at its December meeting, the Board of Directors voted to accept three new members to its 24-person board. Charlie Vance of Dillon was elected to fill the seat of retiring member Kalli Norton of Little Rock. Also representing Dillon County are Keith Allen of Latta and Earl Dutton of Dillon. Louise “Lou” Easterling of Kingstree joins John Snow and Bill McCullough in representing Williamsburg County, filling a vacant seat. Elizabeth “Diddy” Anderson of Florence assumes the seat of retiring Florence County board member Benjamin T. Zeigler, also a past board chairman. Anderson joins Buddy Brand in representing Florence County.

The mission of the Pee Dee Land Trust is to conserve, and to promote an appreciation of, the natural, agricultural, and historical resources in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. For more information about the Pee Dee Land Trust, visit the Web site www.peedeelandtrust.org or call (843) 661-1135.