Lowcountry Land Trust and Sea Island Habitat for Humanity today announced an extraordinary partnership that will provide space for a new nature preserve and affordable housing on one of the largest undeveloped parcels remaining on northern Johns Island. The 102-acre Humbert Woods property, purchased by Lowcountry Land Trust, will become a 97-acre nature preserve with an additional five acres designated for affordable homes adjacent to Sea Island Habitat for Humanity's Sweetgrass Preserve neighborhood.
“Delivering solutions that preserve the distinct character of a rapidly growing Sea Island requires tenacity and innovation,” commented Matt Williams, CEO, Lowcountry Land Trust. “We’re grateful to Sea Island Habitat for Humanity for sharing our vision and to the generous funders who make this work possible. As we approach Election Day, it's also a timely reminder that with only eight percent of Johns Island permanently protected, voter support for the Charleston County transportation sales tax supporting greenbelt funding is urgently needed.”
Lowcountry Land Trust identified Humbert Woods as a conservation priority because of its ecological importance and its role in connecting other protected lands set to become publicly accessible, such as Grayson Oaks, Main Road Park, Simmons Creek, and the Angel Oak Preserve. The property contains more than 97 acres of upland forests and freshwater wetlands. Permanently protecting these natural resources helps improve water quality, store floodwaters, support wildlife habitat, and preserve the rural landscape that defines Johns Island. Before its protection, Humbert Woods was zoned for more than thirty homes. When the opportunity arose to protect the property, Lowcountry Land Trust leveraged its Opportunity Fund, a unique asset for local land trusts recently fortified by the It Can’t Wait Campaign, to act quickly and complete the due diligence necessary to move the project forward.
"Humbert Woods is another piece of a puzzle bringing together a connected corridor of conserved land along Main Road, just outside of the county’s urban growth boundary," said Natalie Olson, Sea Islands program director, Lowcountry Land Trust. "Protecting land from incompatible development depends on strong community support, local partners, and local investment–more collaboration like this is what’s needed to keep Johns Island rural.”
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity has served Johns Island since 1978 and has seen tremendous growth, resulting in an escalating crisis: the critical shortage of affordable housing for the people who form the backbone of the community. The organization preserves the cultural fabric and economic stability by helping families secure a safe, decent, affordable home through a zero-interest Habitat mortgage.
Adjacent to the Humbert Woods property, Sweetgrass Preserve, a 50-home Sea Island Habitat for Humanity neighborhood, helps to ensure that those who work on Johns Island can also afford to live and thrive on the island. The newly acquired property will expand on that community and provide nature at residents’ back doors.
"Humbert Woods demonstrates that when organizations work together with a shared purpose, affordable housing and conservation can strengthen one another," said John Rhoden, executive director, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity. "This partnership allows us to create affordable homeownership opportunities for local families while preserving the natural landscapes that make Johns Island such a special place to live."
Beyond its environmental benefits for Sweetgrass Preserve and nearby residents, Humbert Woods also preserves the history and culture of Johns Island. Maps dating to 1927 identify the nearby Humbert Wood Public Elementary School, where Mamie Elizabeth Garvin Fields, one of the first African American public school teachers hired in Charleston County, taught early in her distinguished career. Protecting the surrounding landscape helps honor that legacy while preserving the area's cultural heritage.
Funding for the project was provided by Lowcountry Land Trust's Opportunity Fund, the Charleston County Greenbelt Program, South Carolina Conservation Bank, and the Charleston County Affordable Housing Land Acquisition Fund. The project demonstrates how conservation organizations, affordable housing partners, and public funding programs can work together to protect the places that make the Lowcountry unique while meeting important community needs.
“Charleston County is growing at a rapid pace. However, thanks to innovative partners and a diversity of funding sources, we are able to achieve conservation success that benefits our residents in many different ways,” commented Joe Boykin, chairman, Charleston County Council. “I applaud the efforts of Lowcountry Land Trust and Sea Island Habitat for Humanity for bringing together people and nature.”
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is in the early stages of land planning for the homes and is working alongside Lowcountry Land Trust to plan and build trails that provide public access to the Humbert Woods nature preserve.
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