When we speak of the Ashley River, images of the historic plantations, Middleton and Drayton Hall may come to mind; or perhaps the wide tidal river that flows boldly along the peninsula of Charleston into Charleston Harbor; but to truly know a river is to understand its beginnings.

Our Saturday evening Woods & Waters event was a living testimony to the support you give. With nearly 250 attendees, we felt the heartwarming fellowship of surrounding ourselves with people who believe in what we do.

The Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust has secured a conservation easement on 461 acres in Georgetown County, near Andrews. The easement also protects nearly a mile and a half of frontage along Mingo Creek, a tributary of the Black River.

Naturally, we’re excited about saving this critical piece of Berkeley County history, but we’re even more excited about what it means for the future of the Cooper River Corridor. It means that our grandchildren and their children can learn about and celebrate our rich history, rather than wondering why no one ever cared to protect it.

Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust today announced the donation of property in Pineville, South Carolina, to the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation. The property, located near the Pineville Community Center, will be used as a demonstration forest, where the Center will educate landowners on the economic and conservation benefits of sustainable forestry practices.