South Carolina landowners use conservation easements to block development

Alice Smith placed a 146-acre property called Duck Haven in Pickens County, South Carolina, under a conservation easement to prevent future construction.

Smith acted to fulfill a promise made to her mother to keep the land, which her grandparents purchased in the 1940s, intact. The property features rolling fields that connect to the Saluda River. By entering this legal agreement, Smith ensures the land remains protected even after she passes away.

Ed Lomas also secured a conservation easement for Moore Farm, a 110-acre property in Greenville County that his family has owned for over 100 years. Lomas decided to protect the cattle farm after a friend struggled to keep their land from being sold for development. The easement prevents his children from facing pressure to sell the property as surrounding residential neighborhoods expand.

The non-profit organisation Upstate Forever manages these agreements and currently safeguards more than 40,000 acres across 10 counties in the region. These easements function as charitable donations, allowing owners to retain their land while receiving federal tax deductions and state tax credits. Smith and Lomas both expressed hope that their actions would encourage other families to use similar legal tools to preserve their ancestral land.