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Pee Dee Land Trust Secures Largest Conservation Easement

Witherspoon Island, now permanently protected, showcasing its rich timber resources and surrounding water bodies.

News Summary

The Pee Dee Land Trust celebrated a significant victory by securing the largest conservation easement in its history, protecting Witherspoon Island’s 3,708 acres. This achievement bolsters local conservation efforts, enhancing partnerships with landowners to preserve a total of 6,070 acres across multiple counties. The initiative underscores a commitment to sustainable land management while safeguarding vital ecosystems and historical landmarks in the Pee Dee Watershed.

Pee Dee Land Trust Scores Big: Largest Conservation Easement in History Secured!

Florence, SC – Big news for nature lovers and conservationists alike! The **Pee Dee Land Trust** has just achieved a milestone by securing the largest conservation easement in its 25-year history. Witherspoon Island, which encompasses a whopping 3,708 acres, is now officially protected. This stunning achievement adds to a larger conservation effort that saw the land trust partnering with local landowners to safeguard a total of 6,070 acres across six counties in the Pee Dee Watershed.

A Family Legacy Restored

The island’s journey back to conservation began when brothers Chase and Charles Howard repurchased Witherspoon Island in early 2024. Can you believe it? This beautiful land has been in their family since their great-grandfather acquired it back in 1904! Talk about keeping it in the family! Once this magnificent island was famed for farming and timber management, and was the proud home of the Witherspoon Island Hunting Club – a club that has been around since 1919.

Though the island has faced challenges over the years, including the sale of over 3,000 acres to **Sonoco** in 1995, the Howard family retained the interior parcels. Their plan is immense: they are committed to permanently protecting Witherspoon Island while continuing to manage its rich timber resources in a sustainable manner. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone – preserving history while taking care of the environment.

A Natural Treasure

Witherspoon Island is surrounded on multiple sides by the serene Great Pee Dee River and Lowther’s Lake. The newly minted conservation easement ensures that the island stays intact, including a thoughtful 100-foot buffer around its perimeter. This isn’t just about scenery; it’s about making sure that local wildlife has a safe habitat and that the environment remains healthy.

One of the island’s critical roles is its ability to filter water – something vital for Florence’s water intake, which is less than a mile downstream. The old-growth hardwood trees have been left untouched, performing the crucial functions of flood mitigation and providing a home for various wildlife species.

A Peek into History

The island isn’t just a blank canvas of trees; it features primitive infrastructure, with cabins built from logs dating back to the 1800s. And let’s not forget the impressive 20 miles of earthen dikes, built in the mid-1800s, that still stand strong today. It’s like stepping back in time and witnessing how our ancestors used the land!

A Growing Movement

The Pee Dee Land Trust has worked tirelessly to establish over 100 conservation easements across nine counties, protecting more than 47,502 acres of land. It’s not just the Howards making waves; other landowners like Kelly and Ernie Atkinson are partnering with the trust too. Their efforts have led to the safeguarding of properties like the Puddin Swamp Preserve, ensuring it remains untouched for generations to come.

Given the increasing development pressures in South Carolina, the Pee Dee Land Trust is diving headfirst into expanding its conservation strategies. They are even aligning with Governor Henry McMaster’s ambitious goal to double the amount of protected land in the state to six million acres by the year 2050. Talk about a green revolution!

Innovative Conservation Strategies

These efforts aren’t just about protecting the land from development; they also allow landowners to maintain usage for farming and hunting through conservation easements. This concept strikes a perfect balance between land conservation and responsible land use.

With the threat of development looming larger than ever in South Carolina, there’s a strong push to reverse the previous trends of farmland loss. In the last year and a half, the Pee Dee Land Trust has exceeded its goal of protecting 2,500 acres of new land each year, safeguarding a staggering 12,000 acres instead. That’s the kind of dedication that inspires action!

A Bright Future for Conservation

Florence and the surrounding communities can take pride in this monumental achievement. With increasingly successful conservation efforts, the future is looking much greener for the Pee Dee region. So, let’s raise a glass (or two!) to the protection of Witherspoon Island and all the promising conservation work ahead!