Lowcountry Land Trust, a nonprofit committed to preserving Lowcountry landscapes and waterways for future generations, celebrates 35 years of extraordinary conservation success in the ACE Basin alongside many public and private partners. This globally significant conservation initiative has safeguarded more than 300,000 acres of one of the world's most ecologically and culturally rich landscapes. Spanning Charleston, Colleton, Beaufort, Dorchester, and Hampton Counties, the ACE Basin derives its name from the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers. The project’s success is a testament to visionary leadership, enduring partnerships, collaborative partnerships, and the unwavering commitment of private landowners to preserve this extraordinary Lowcountry region.
The initial coalition began in the 1980s with a group of like-minded, innovative, and collaborative private landowners, wildlife agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Together, private landowners Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley and Charles Lane teamed up with representatives from SC Coastal Conservation League, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to respond to the daunting threat of waterfront development on Edisto Island. Now, 35 years later, the task force has grown to include Lowcountry Land Trust, Nemours Wildlife Foundation, Mead-Westvaco Corporation, Beaufort and Edisto Island Open Land Trusts, and the Open Space Institute, in addition to original leaders, including Charles Lane, Mike McShane, and Coy Johnston.
The initiative utilizes a watershed and habitat-focused approach to combine public land acquisitions with private conservation easements and fostering collaboration among federal, state, and private partners—a groundbreaking model that has since gained national recognition. Through public-private partnerships, the project has helped safeguard the Lowcountry’s natural beauty and way of life for future generations.
“The ACE Basin Project exemplifies what’s possible through collaboration and an unwavering dedication to conservation,” said Ashley Demosthenes, president & CEO of Lowcountry Land Trust. “The 35th anniversary is both a celebration of the past and a commitment to the future. From protecting critical migratory bird habitats to fostering a culture of trust and innovation, the ACE Basin Task Force has set the standard for conservation excellence, and we’re looking forward to another 35 years of success.”
As Lowcountry Land Trust celebrates 35 years of conservation achievements in the ACE Basin, they honor the leaders, landowners, and partners who made it possible while recommitting to protecting this extraordinary region for future generations. Lowcountry Land Trust is proud to be part of this remarkable legacy and looks forward to the next chapter of conservation in the ACE Basin.
To learn more, please visit www.lowcountrylandtrust.
