MORE THAN ACRES NEWSLETTER August 2022

Outlook | Looking Back at Congaree Land Trust

In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we are taking some time to look back at all of the memories you've helped us create.

This month we are looking back at some past CLT fall celebrations! Take a look at some fun memories...and don't forget to mark your calendars for this year's event on November 06, 2022!

Land Protection | North Fork Tract Now Conserved for Future Public Use!

36.7 acres located along the North Fork of the Edisto River in southern Lexington County is now conserved, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Congaree Land Trust (CLT), The SC Conservation Bank (SCCB), and the landowners, Bob Guild and Nancy Barton. Now under conservation easement, this property— North Fork Tract— will permanently protect wetlands within the Edisto River Basin and will serve as a future park in Lexington Country along the North Edisto River.

The landowners donated the land to CLT through a life estate so it may be managed for future public use and provide access to the Edisto River. The river is the longest free-flowing blackwater stream in the United States, is one of the most scenic rivers in South Carolina and provides outstanding scenic and recreational values for the general boating public. This lasting gift will enrich the legacy of our natural heritage for generations to come.

CLT Board Transitions | Outgoing and Incoming Members

This month we want to thank Alec Chaplin and Bill Short for the tremendous support they provided our organization. As members of our board, Alec was instrumental in refining the financial reporting process and Bill served as an incredible advocate for CLT and promoting public land projects. 

Words cannot express the appreciation we have for them and their dedication to conservation!

Marty Brown

Marty Brown is a partner in Colite International - a national supplier for signage and Colite Technologies, a renewable energy provider. He is a native of Columbia, SC and graduate of the University of Notre Dame ('85) with a degree in Finance. Married for 37 years to Allison Dorn-Brown, they have two children and one grandson. Marty is the current Board Chair for Homeworks of America, a local non-profit assisting those in need with home repairs.

Hunter Suggs

Hunter Suggs is the South Carolina Director of Commercial Real Estate for National Land Realty. A graduate of Clemson University, class of 1998, Hunter received a BS in Financial Management and a minor in Forest Resource Management. He was proud to be a part of Columbia's Chamber of Commerce – Leadership Class of 2020 and his achievement in receiving the Central Carolina Realtors Association - 2019 Circle of Excellence award for transaction volume. He is also a member of the Central Carolina Realtors Association - CCRA and CCIM Institute. He was the past President of the Business Networking International Chapter in Columbia, SC. Hunter received the CCIM Institute designation in 2020. Hunter is a native of Columbia, SC, where he has continued to reside, along with his wife, Amanda, his daughter Hannah and their pets Riley, a yellow lab, and Ashe a black lab. He is an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting and planting food plots on his family’s farm on the Lynches River, in Kershaw County.  

David Sojourner

Dave Sojourner is a tax and estate planning attorney at Sojourner, Caughman & Thomas in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a native of St. George, South Carolina and a graduate of Clemson University (B.S. Economics), the University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D.), and New York University School of Law (LL.M. – Taxation). Dave is an active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where he previously served as Senior Warden and is the former board chair of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and the Central Carolina Community Foundation. He and his wife, Julianne, manage their property near Denmark, South Carolina for quail habitat and granted a conservation easement on the land to Congaree Land Trust in 2006.

Purple Haze | A Conservation Film Screening Fundraiser in Support of Camp Discovery!

About the Film: "After millions of years of evolution, treacherous migrations, and forming a unique relationship with humans, North America’s largest swallow species, the Purple Martin, has managed to become almost completely dependent on man-made nesting structures to nest & rear their young. Captain Zach Steinhauser has taken it upon himself, after spending years guiding folks to North America’s largest Purple Martin roost, to chase these birds across their range to understand exactly how this species put themselves in this position and discover a lost culture of bird-loving enthusiasts across the Purple Martin’s range.

Get your tickets to the showing at Camp Discovery on August 20th by clicking the link below! Ticket sales for this event will be considered a donation in support of Camp Discovery's nature based programs. Camp Discovery is also a conserved property with Congaree Land Trust and is permanently protected for future generations.

CLT UPDATES | Staff Changes & We're Hiring

CLT is hiring a Marketing & PR Intern for Fall 2022!

CLT is seeking a dynamic self-starter who will work within our Development & Communications Program and be responsible for creating greater visibility of the land trust in the Midlands community.

Interested in joining our wonderful team? Send your resume and a cover letter to jobs@congareelt.org!

Conservation Corner | Children in Nature &

CLT's Favorite Spots

Children in

Nature Month

August is National Children in Nature Month and here at CLT we are encouraging you and your family to get outside! Head over to our social media pages to complete our August Bingo Challenge for a chance to win a CLT swag bag!

CLT's Favorite Spots

In search of some new hiking destinations in the midlands? Check out these five spots recommended by CLT Staff.

1. West Columbia River Walk: Perfect for a casual walk or easy bike ride! Located close to downtown this is a great spot for a post dinner stroll.
2. Harbison State Forest: Located just off of I-26 near Harbison Blvd. Harbison State Forest has hikes ranging from an easy 0.5 miles all the way up to a 5.0 mile, difficult rated trail!  
3. Rocky Branch Nature Trail: This 1.4 mile loop boasts scenic creek-side walking, elevation changes and what many trail goers describe as "a little piece of the mountains just outside of Columbia!" Bonus points for its proximity to Little Mountain, SC, where you can find quaint antique shops and cafes, perfect for a post hike bite!
4. Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve: Of course we couldn't make a list of nature spots in the Midlands without mentioning something along the Congaree. This 3.3 mile loop-trail gives trail goers all of the benefits of Congaree National Park, with none of the foot traffic! Starting off in a Long-Leaf Pine forest undergoing restoration this trail then takes you through a ravine, filled with deciduous plants. After ascending out of the ravine don't forget to check out the overlook, where you will find some of the best views of Congaree National Park.
5. Lee State Park: Located just an hour outside of Columbia, Lee State Park has something for everyone. From Equestrian friendly trails, to campsites and some great trails for the everyday hiker. Lee State Park is the perfect spot for anyone looking for their next outdoor adventure.
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