High Points of 2009

• Awarded national Land Trust Accreditation - one of 80 in the US.
  
  
• 1,027 new acres added to
  EIOLT protected lands inventory
• Awarded national designation for Highway 174 now the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway
• Celebrated 15th anniversary as a non-profit
• With our ACE Basin Task Force partners celebrated 20 years of land protection success with 197,000 acres preserved in the ACE Basin!

Land Trust Accreditation

A Special Thank You to Special Partners

We recognize and thank the following foundations, agencies and organizations for
their support By providing EIOLT with critical financial resources, they are important
partners in shaping Edisto's future.

Charleston County Greenbelt Bank - helped protect 20 Edisto properties in last 3 years.

The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation - many years of mentoring and operations
support + a special grant in 2009 in honor of EIOLT's accreditation.

Edisto Sales & Rentals Realty - Premier Corporate Sponsor for the past three years.

U.S. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife - for last two years provided funding for land stewardship + expert assistance with baseline surveys.

Sunshine Foundation - many years of loyal support to offset costs of land protection.

The Nature Conservancy - transferred Sand Creek Farm conservation easement to EIOLT's stewardship.

Town of Edisto Beach ATAX Committee - for over ten years has provided funding for twice weekly litter pickup along the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway.

Palmetto Pride S.C. Anti-Litter Organization - many years of funding EdistoPride activities and in '08 and '09 provided grants for Back to Nature educational events.

South Carolina Department of Transportation - partnered in winning the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway designation and future partners in implementing the Corridor Management Plan.

ACE Basin Task Force - partners in saving Edisto and 197,000 acres in the ACE.

SC Conservation Bank - helped protect 3 properties in the last 3 years.

Edisto Island National Scenic Byway
Designation Accomplished!

The new Edisto Island National Scenic Byway was officially opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, February 20, at 12 Noon, at the Edisto Island Community Center. 

Over 200 residents and friends of Edisto attended including many dignitaries and honored guests from Edisto, Charleston and Colleton Counties, and from state government were on hand to welcome the fourth National Scenic Byway in South Carolina.

Traffic was temporarily halted as the ribbon was stretched across the road held by Edisto Cub Scouts, then cut, and the roadside “America’s Byways” route signs unveiled. 

The first automobile to drive onto the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway held our own Edisto Beach Mayor Burley Lyons. Queen Quet of the Gullah Geechee Nation rode proudly.

Afterwards light refreshments were served by the ladies of St Stephen and St Frederick Catholic Church, including a large cake donated by Edisto’s Piggly Wiggly featuring the Byway’s official logo. 

(pictured left are some of the festivities)

What makes Edisto so special? A peaceful barrier island off the South Carolina coast, Edisto Island seems to have stopped the clock 50 years ago. The proposed Edisto Island National Scenic Byway ( SC 174) is a meandering 17-mile two-lane road that stretches from the Intracoastal Waterway to Edisto Beach. Along the way are salt marshes, forests, farm fields and historic churches – the living patchwork of the Lowcountry. Explore 1800s graveyards, catch blue crabs with a chicken neck, fill your pockets with seashells and shark's teeth, and photograph the perfect sunset -- all in one day. Buy fresh produce at a roadside stand and fresh seafood dockside for a picnic on the beach. Watch for dolphins breaking the surface and strings of brown pelicans overhead. But most of all, take your time and breathe deep: this "Edis-slow ramble" is a visual delight, and you will find much to soothe the spirit and awaken the senses. From the application to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation

September Beach and River Sweep Edisto Pride recruited 122 volunteers who came out for the 21st annual Beach and River Sweep.  Thanks go out to Edisto Water Sports for providing guides and kayaks, to FRESPACE for sponsoring the lunch for volunteers, to Edisto Beach State Park for the use of their picnic shelters, and to the Town of Edisto Beach for their support.