FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Wallace Wood
(864) 993-5012
Landowners who donated conservation easements to the Upper Savannah Land Trust in 2014 and were in attendance at their annual meeting were from left: Cindy Vickery, Phil Vickery, Dr. Pete Parramore, Natalie Parramore, Eddie Bryan and Cathie Bryan.
The Upper Savannah Land Trust announced at its annual meeting March 27 that the group conserved 3,027 acres during 2014, making the year one of its most successful to date.
Upper Savannah Land Trust President Rossie Corwon quoted Mahatma Gandhi as she spoke to the organization’s members, saying, “‘Be a part of the change that you want to see in the world,’ and I think this group embodies that philosophy more than any group that I have ever been a part of.
“Our mission statement reflects that: to encourage and support conservation of natural and scenic lands, farms, forests, waterways and open spaces. We want to see those places protected,” Corwon said.
The Land Trust accepted 10 easements in 2014 which included land in Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, McCormick, Oconee and Saluda counties and in the Saluda and Savannah River. watersheds. Donors were Ann Adams, Gary and Hellan Alexander, Eddie Bryan, Jan Jones, Natalie Parramore, Clark Rushton, Phil Vickery, and Dr. Mike and Rita Walden.
L.B. “B” Adams, Jr. and Peggy Adams were recognized and presented an award for their long-time support of the Upper Savannah Land Trust (USLT). They helped organize USLT in 2001, have served as board members, and L.B. Adams has served as Treasurer since its founding.
State Climatologist Dr. Hope Mizzell was the guest speaker at the organization’s annual meeting. Mizzell told about weather trends in South Carolina, including temperature, rainfall and major storms.
USLT is a private, nonprofit conservation organization that assists landowners in Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties to conserve their land.
Since its founding in 2000, the organization has protected more than 36,500 acres of farms, forestland, scenic, and historic and ecologically important properties, including 82 easements. The Trust considers itself a tool for landowners who are interested in seeing their properties remain in their natural state for farming, timber and recreation.
By placing a conservation easement on a piece of property, the owner can continue to live, farm and enjoy the land, while ensuring it remains undeveloped.
A conservation easement placed with Upper Savannah Land Trust can also provide the landowner with substantial state and federal income tax deductions, estate tax saving and reduction in property taxes.
Landowners interested in speaking to Upper Savannah Land Trust about their property should contact its Executive Director Wallace Wood at (864) 993-5012 or visit its web site at www.scuslt.com.
