2011 LOLT Annual Meeting & Silver Moon

The 25th anniversary celebration of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust began on Feb. 15th with the 2011 Annual Meeting at the newly refurbished Dock Street Theatre. The theme for the year will be the Silver Moon Anniversary - with events like the annual picnic set for LOLT members on March 12 at Lavington Plantation, and a Silver Moon Gala to be announced later this Fall. The LOLT conservationists saw Mayor Joe Riley recognized for his work 25 years ago to steward protection of marshy vistas and hummocks that are now considered essential to the appeal and mystique of the Holy City. "Easements are permanent gifts to one another to preserve what others may take for granted," said Riley. LOLT accepted 10 easements in 2010 totaling 2,144-acres of protected land. Interim Executive Director Elizabeth Hagood recognized outgoing board members and welcomed new Board Chair Batson Hewitt. Hewitt announced that he would bring new urgency to the LOLT efforts in 2011 and that a new Silver Moon level of giving, set at $25,000, would be instilled and that LOLT already had three such donors. LOLT is ranked behind national organizations The Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited in total number of acres protected in SC, but they continue to play a significant role in raising awareness about conservation in the Lowcountry Outdoors!

To view my blog about the 2010 LOLT picnic click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Mayor Joe Riley received a signature LOLT blue bird house at the 2011 annual meeting - I wonder if he knows that it is high time to install that box for our early nesting bluebirds; outgoing board members receive recognition for their time; 25 years will be celebrated with a Silver Moon Gala in the Fall of 2011; the land protection map of the ACE Basin shows that there are plenty of 'blank spots' where more easements are needed - and the large area of protection (in red) on the top right is Brosnan Forest