A land conservation group has bought and will permanently protect from development a 1,644-acre timber tract in Dorchester County by making the property part of the state forest system.
The Open Space Institute closed on its $11.35 million purchase of the Beech Hill property last week, according to public real estate records. The seller was Davis Land & Timber Limited Partnership of Greenwood.
The property is near the Colleton County line, between the Edisto River Wildlife Management Area and Givhans Ferry State Park. It’s about 30 miles from Charleston.
Nate Berry, chief land protection officer for the Open Space Institute, described Beech Hill as a “critically threatened property” that will give the S.C. Forestry Commission “a foothold in this special part of the state.”
“It has long been a conservation priority because of its location between these protected areas and intensifying development pressure,” his New York-based group said in a May 29 written statement. “The property is unusually high and dry for the Lowcountry, containing fewer than 100 acres of forested wetlands, elevating the threat of subdivision and conversion.”
The new owner added that the acquisition “will prevent fragmentation of natural areas, link previously protected lands, expand public recreational opportunities and catalyze further conservation” efforts in the nearby ACE basin and other areas.
The tract will become a new state forest managed by the Forestry Commission starting next year. It’s expected to join the S.C. Department of Natural Resource’s Wildlife Management Area initiative.
“The property will be open to the public with opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking and biking,” the buyer said.
State Forester Scott Phillips said the Beech Hill tract “represents a renewable resource that provides a multitude of benefits, including clean water, scenic beauty, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.”
The purchase includes funding from the forestry agency and the S.C. Conservation Bank. Also, county has committed to contribute $4.125 million, marking the largest land acquisition to date from its Greenbelt program.
The land for years was owned by the former Westvaco Corp., which used it to grow trees and supply pulp for its North Charleston paper mill. The property was listed for sale in late 2023.
