For nearly three decades, the Conservancy has worked alongside residents, partners, and landowners to uphold that responsibility.
Through collaboration and commitment, nearly 4,000 acres of vital habitat have been preserved, ensuring that wildlife has room to move and natural systems continue to function as they should. Just as important, this work has strengthened the connection between people and place— fostering a shared understanding that stewardship is something we all participate in.
That shared vision is now coming to life along Betsy Kerrison Parkway, where more than 100 acres across four adjoining properties are now protected, creating a continuous landscape that supports wildlife while promising to welcome the Sea Island community soon. This space is being shaped not only as a refuge for nature, but as a place where people can gather, explore, learn, and reconnect— with the land and with one another.
Plans are underway to install winding trails that will invite visitors to slow down and experience the landscape up close— moving from open meadows filled with wildflowers to the quiet strength of maritime forests and out to expansive marsh views. Native gardens will buzz with pollinators, while rain gardens will show how the land itself can manage water and heal after storms. Every feature is designed to demonstrate how working with nature creates healthier, more resilient places.
A living sweetgrass landscape will support the continuation of a cultural tradition deeply rooted in the Lowcountry. By restoring the plants relied upon by sweetgrass artists, this space honors Gullah Geechee heritage and ensures that knowledge passed down through generations remains vibrant, practiced, and visible. Several sweetgrass stands will be designed and built in partnership with Clemson University, providing thoughtfully crafted spaces where artisans can gather to create and sell their work— connecting tradition, livelihood, and landscape in one shared place.
Learning and connection will be woven throughout the landscape. Outdoor classrooms, interpretive signs, and an environmental education center will welcome school groups, families, and visitors of all ages. These spaces will encourage curiosity, conversation, and handson experiences that make conservation feel accessible, meaningful, and shared.
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