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NewslettersPreserving the Beauty of the Lowcountry Environment.
"Preserving the Beauty of the Lowcountry Environment.
Beaufort. Pristine marshes, graceful moss-draped oaks and winding river views are some of the treasures of this coastal community.
There was a time when this beautiful coastal town was fairly isolated from the world around it. Now a busy hub of activity, the beautiful vistas and easy-going life-style attracts many who visit, and many who choose to make Beaufort their home. With this has come development and the threat of losing our unique landscape.
Realizing that something irreplaceable was sure to become lost, a group of concerned citizens formed the Beaufort County Open Land Trust in 1971. It was to be the first such trust in South Carolina, though others have followed in its path. It began with the purchase of one parcel of property, but has grown to include over thirty important parcels of land - providing key vistas and natural green buffers that will remain for generations to come.
The Trust relies on the support of Beaufort's own citizens. A "get-the-job-done" attitude has characterized the Trust's approach to obtaining vital vistas and raising funds to pay for them. For the Beaufort County Open Land Trust to continue to succeed, it must be embraced by those of us who are committed to the preservation of our natural heritage.
As a part of the Beaufort County Open Land Trust you will be guaranteeing the preservation of natural resources unique to the Lowcountry. Help us keep this invaluable identity for the enjoyment of the public and for future generations. Join us now with your donation. It is not only tax deductible, but an investment in a shared and priceless legacy."
http://www.openlandtrust.com/
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I remember seeing some of these signs out.Two signs in particular sparked my interest.One of them is now out by Wally world in front of a gas station with a few trees behing it.And it says This view was preserved by Beaufort county open land trust.Exactly what view are they talking about.Is it the few trees and grass or the gas station.They mineaswell take that one down.Now there is another one on St.Helena island.It is clearly visibly now that they have cut down so many trees around it.I guess there will still be a marsh view there after they get done slaughtering the trees.But did they really need to take up donations for this?And where is the money really going?Actually I think undercover brotha can tell you!!
Most of the parcels are from private land owners donating the property at no cost to the Open Land Trust. In some cases the land is left as is in the form of woodlands for wildlife. They do accept donations in cash and the donors get a tax break just as one for church donations. They have purchased critical properties, (critical meaning land that was close to being developed.) and some of those were already cleared or with open spaces and had views.
In one case on St Helena near the Convenience Center, they do bush hog underbrush to maintain the view underneath the trees to the marsh. My father donated that strip. There are others, like on Bay Street near the Federal Courthouse, that was cleared when it was donated (I don't know who donated that parcel) and they cut the grass and maintain it. Other parcels like nearly a hundred acres close to Marsh Harbor that is left in their natural state and donated by the development. I donated 5 acres of woodland on St Helena that has an old slave cemetery on it is in a natural state for wildlife. The cemetery is no longer used.
I don't know which parcel that you say is being cut, but look again because they may be cutting underbrush and trimming lower limbs to see the marsh view, which is what they usually do. It makes it look like a park.
i would like to know if the open land trust has any say about the beautiful oaks in front of the hospital/medical plaza that are scheduled to be cut down for the new 5 story parking garage? i would love to have community input on the cutting of these beautiful tree's. help!!!!
The Open Land Trust doesn't own that property, so they have no more input than private citizens. The land is owned by Beaufort Memorial, so they have to present plans to the city planning department and city council. The meetings are public and announced, so anyone wanting to make comments may do so.
The city has to weigh the benefit of having the trees against the public need for the garage. They will require that new trees be planted in the landscaping plan.
It is 20-20 hindsight, but if the community leaders could have had the knowledge in the 1940s and '50s that our area would have grown to what we have now, they could have bought sufficient property elsewhere for a facility and room for expansion. But regardless of where it was located, trees would have to be cut. When that hospital was built in 1944, most of that area along what is now Ribaut Road was woodlands with only a few homes nearby.
The Open Land Trust doesn't own that property, so they have no more input than private citizens. The land is owned by Beaufort Memorial, so they have to present plans to the city planning department and city council. The meetings are public and announced, so anyone wanting to make comments may do so.
The city has to weigh the benefit of having the trees against the public need for the garage. They will require that new trees be planted in the landscaping plan.
It is 20-20 hindsight, but if the community leaders could have had the knowledge in the 1940s and '50s that our area would have grown to what we have now, they could have bought sufficient property elsewhere for a facility and room for expansion. But regardless of where it was located, trees would have to be cut. When that hospital was built in 1944, most of that area along what is now Ribaut Road was woodlands with only a few homes nearby.
Well the least they could do is leave that one tree.And trees are very beneficial too!!
Maybe they don't really care about that,just like they did'nt seem to care much about the trees being cut by and around there preserveration sign.I think some of those trees were cut unnecesarily.Just like that old oak tree might be getting cut down unnecesarily.I can't even imagine what the place would look like without it,and some large parking garage in it's place.Huhhhhh!! what is Beaufort coming too!!.You should write a blog about it though to see what everyone thinks.