Open Space Institute Acquires 1,600 Forested Acres in South Carolina Lowcountry

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The Open Space Institute (OSI) announced the acquisition of a 1,644-acre timber tract in rapidly-developing Dorchester County, South Carolina.

Officials said permanent protection of the Beech Hill property will prevent fragmentation of natural areas, link previously protected lands, expand public recreational opportunities, and catalyze further conservation in the Lowcountry, some 30 miles northwest of Charleston.

The Beech Hill tract is situated between the Edisto River Wildlife Management Area and Givhans Ferry State Park.

It has long been a conservation priority because of its location between these protected areas and intensifying development pressure.

The property is unusually high and dry for the Lowcountry, containing fewer than 100 acres of forested wetlands, elevating the threat of subdivision and conversion.

Instead, Beech Hill will soon become a new state forest managed by the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC), with the entire tract expected to be enrolled in the South Carolina Department of Natural Resource's Wildlife Management Area program.

The property will be open to the public with opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking and biking.

OSI led the effort to acquire the property for $11,350,000. Funding from SCFC and the South Carolina Conservation Bank will support the cost of acquisition.

Dorchester County committed $4,125,000 in Greenbelt funds towards the purchase, the program’s largest acquisition to date. OSI expects to transfer the property to SCFC in 2026.

Officials anticipate OSI’s acquisition of Beech Hill will spark further land protection in the region.

“We’re thrilled to partner with SCFC, the South Carolina Conservation Bank, and Dorchester County to protect this critically threatened property, and we’re equally thrilled to give SCFC a foothold in this special part of the state,” said Nate Berry, chief land protection officer for OSI.

“We couldn’t be more excited to add this property to our state forest system,” State Forester Scott Phillips said. “This forested landscape represents a renewable resource that provides a multitude of benefits, including clean water, scenic beauty, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation. This is another win for our state, its residents, and wildlife as we continue working with our partners to ramp up efforts to conserve working forests.”

As with all lands held by SCFC, 25 percent of any revenue earned through responsible timber and pine straw sales or lease income will be paid to the Dorchester County School District.

“The acquisition of the Beech Hill Tract protects over a thousand acres from the development and provides a valuable opportunity for public access in the County,” Dorchester County Council Chairman David Chinnis said in a statement. “By leveraging our Greenbelt funds, the County continues to preserve green spaces and the character of rural parts of our county.”

Founded in 1974, the Open Space Institute (OSI) has been a partner in the protection of more than 2.5 million acres in the eastern U.S. and Canada.

OSI’s Southeast office, established in Charleston in 2014, has been a partner in the protection of more than 130,000 acres across the Southeastern United States, the vast majority of which will be open to the public.