Lowcountry outdoors: 2013 Edisto Island Open Land Trust

Sunday, November 3, 2013

2013 Edisto Island Open Land Trust - Sunnyside Plantation

Wonderful venue for a day outside on Edisto Island

Larry Nunnery, Chip Campsen, Calvert Huffines,
Chuck Gallahan, Sid Gauthreaux, Jenks Michael

The 2013 Annual Meeting and Oyster Roast of the Edisto Island Open Land Trust was held under an escarpment of live oaks at Sunnyside Plantation on November 3. Under blue skies, EIOLT patrons enjoyed the crisp and cool temperatures of fall while shucking oysters with like-minded conservationists from throughout the Lowcountry. I also spoke to folks from Greenwood, Florence and Greenville - and word of Edisto Island's natural beauty continues to spread. Every member of EIOLT is making a difference, but some leaders in attendance included noted ornithologist and event host Dr. Sid Gauthreaux, Carol Belser, event sponsor Calvert Huffines, State Senator Chip Campsen, EIOLT Director John Girault and EIOLT President Chuck Gallahan. Speaking with EIOLT Board Member and founder Jenks Michael I learned that the annual member meeting first occurred on Botany Bay Plantation (before it was owned by SCDNR) at the invitation of Owner Mrs. Pepper, and that her good will helped enable them to get to this point. "The story of EIOLT is a long and wonderful story that has been evolving for ten years, and includes overcoming a few obstacles along the way. This event will see about 500 members gather for a few hours to enjoy oysters while overlooking the Store Creek vista, and listening to our local live band, called Edisto Gumbo." Historians swooned at the tabby wall ruins of the old cotton gin building along those same creek banks, and taken as a whole, the setting smelled of Lowcountry perfection. Similar settings are no secret to locals and are the reason why EIOLT has been energized to conserve about 50-percent of Edisto Island thus far, and it appears that they have plenty of support in 2013 to keep up their good work.