Lowcountry Land Trust, a nonprofit committed to preserving Lowcountry landscapes and waterways for current and future generations, is proud to announce the acquisition of the 266-acre Knight Tract in Dorchester County. This project represents a significant step toward achieving a long-held conservation goal: connecting the 13,000+ acres of protected land at Norfolk Southern’s Brosnan Forest and the more than 12,300 contiguous protected acres within and surrounding Audubon South Carolina’s Beidler Forest.
Located adjacent to Brosnan Forest, also protected by Lowcountry Land Trust and the location of its annual Sporting Clays Shoot, the Knight Tract represents a critical link in an expanding corridor of conserved lands stretching toward Four Hole Swamp. By protecting this land, the project enhances habitat connectivity, safeguards water resources, and helps maintain the natural landscape that defines the Lowcountry.
The Knight Tract features portions of Walnut and Coldwater Branches, two significant tributaries that ultimately feed into the Edisto River. Protecting and enhancing these waterways, a project the team at Brosnan Forest is dedicated to, helps preserve one of South Carolina’s most important river systems and contributes to regional flood mitigation, wildlife connectivity, and clean water initiatives.
“Brosnan Forest and Lowcountry Land Trust share a deep commitment to protecting the natural systems that make the Lowcountry so special,” said Joel Wells, Brosnan Forest's Facilities Director. “From our ongoing work to restore Coldwater Branch and surrounding watersheds to supporting the protection of the Knight Tract, we’re proud to help strengthen the ecological connection that sustains wildlife, water quality, and community resilience across this landscape.”
The tract also offers tremendous potential for public recreation. Lowcountry Land Trust, after placing a conservation easement on the land, will transfer ownership of the property to Dorchester County for its intended use as a passive public park. With additional features including a breached mill pond dam, scenic wetland habitats, and multiple access points, the site is well-suited for community access.
“This project demonstrates how conservation can serve both nature and people,” said Matt Williams, president and CEO of Lowcountry Land Trust. “By protecting the Knight Tract, we’re expanding one of the most important wildlife corridors in the Southeast while creating a new opportunity for residents to connect with the outdoors in northern Dorchester County.”
The acquisition of the Knight Tract was made possible through funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank and Dorchester County’s Greenbelt Program. Audubon South Carolina and Norfolk Southern’s Brosnan Forest also provided funding to support the project.
"This is a rare opportunity to connect South Carolinians with one of the Lowcountry’s most ecologically significant landscapes,” said Raleigh West, Director of the South Carolina Conservation Bank. “By securing a publicly accessible place near the protected lands of Brosnan Forest and Beidler Forest, we’re ensuring future generations can experience the natural beauty of this region while safeguarding its ecological integrity."
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