Open Land Trust

08/12/2026

The Open Land Trust was honored to help the St. Francis Center on St. Helena Island, SC find a new home for their signage!

Caylor Romines, OLT Director of Conservation, said: "The St. Francis Center does so much for the community, from providing food and clothing to helping families with home repairs and simply being there for people when they need it most. Being able to use a small piece of Open Land Trust property to help people find their way to that work was a simple way for us to play a small part in supporting the incredible work they do every day."

Learn more about the St. Francis Center:
https://sscm.org/ministries/st-francis-center-on-st-helena-island-sc/

07/22/2026

Shout out to our Stewardship Committee volunteers who met with staff this morning at the Old Sheldon Woods trail to do a bit of trail maintenance and cleanup!

Yes, it’s hot outside, but the 3/4-mile trail is fully shaded, an excellent spot for birding, and you might even catch a breeze off the adjacent marsh.

Plan a visit soon and enjoy this hidden gem! It is located on Old Sheldon Road in Yemassee, directly across the road from the church ruins.

https://openlandtrust.org/a-new-trail-to-explore/

07/21/2026

07/16/2026

Throwback Thursday - This article published in the The Island Packet on this day in 1989 shows “what could have been” on Lemon Island – just south of the Broad River on Highway 170 - which was still only two lanes!

In 1999, the Open Land Trust purchased 400 acres on Lemon Island and simultaneously sold the development rights to Beaufort County, ensuring the land count no longer be subdivided or developed. At the time, this was the largest acquisition to date by the Open Land Trust and marked a turning point in conservation efforts in Beaufort County.

The full text of the article can be read on our website: https://openlandtrust.org/signs-along-the-way/

06/24/2026

It's another beautiful day at one of the most iconic views in the Lowcountry!

Bay Street Bluff was not just the first property protected by the Open Land Trust. It was proof that ordinary people can shape the future of a community.

Read more about those visionaries and their beliefs that still guide us 55 years later:

https://openlandtrust.org/honoring-our-past-and-protecting-our-future/

06/23/2026

As if we needed anymore reason to love and protect Oak trees! 🌳 Happy Pollinator Week! 🐝🦇🦋🐞

Did you know oak trees are pollinator powerhouses? No other plant group supports more butterflies and moths. More than 500 pollinator species rely on oaks to complete their life cycle. Without oaks, many pollinators would not be able to survive.

05/14/2026

We are currently going through our third national accreditation renewal with the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission, and a public comment period is now open.

Accreditation matters to us because it reflects how we do this work. Strong governance, sound finances, ethical practices, and a long-term commitment to the land and people connected to it. As South Carolina’s first land trust, we believe it is one of the ways we show our landowners, partners, and supporters that we are here for the long haul.

If you would like to learn more or submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org or email [email protected].

Comments would be most helpful by July 24, 2026.

05/11/2026

A few great shots from Saturday’s Brunch on the Bluff, captured by . What a special day celebrating conservation, community, and all you who make this work possible!

Thank you to everyone who came out and shared the day with us. We’re still feeling so grateful!

More photos to come!

05/07/2026

The OLT is honored to stand alongside partners to protect both place and possibility on St. Helena.

Open Land Trust has secured a 10-acre property on St. Helena Island, with support of a $600,000 investment from Coastal Community Foundation and a $1 million grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.