Pee Dee Land Trust Protects Working Family Forest Land in Marlboro County

On May 9, 2017, Pee Dee Land Trust (PDLT) finalized its agreement with Mr. Wallace to permanently protect 348 acres of family land in Marlboro County.  Through the use of permanent agreements, PDLT and landowners work as partners to ensure that land use activities on private property are limited in order to preserve key conservation values which benefit the public.  These values include open space such as rural scenic views along roads and rivers, habitat for wildlife including game and non-game species, and the protection of farm and forest land to ensure it remains in farming and forestry rather than being converted to other uses.  PDLT is proud to have partnered with the Wallace Family and the South Carolina Conservation Bank to make this important project possible.

Mr. Wallace explained why they chose to place a conservation easement on the property that has been in his family for multiple generations and was passed down to him, “This property is very special because it is the first property that my grandparents bought as their home place, where I grew up for several years, and where my family now comes to enjoy and recreate.  When this land is passed to my grandchildren it will have been owned by five generations of Wallace family members.  It brings me joy to know that the home place is protected and because of the conservation easement I can rest assured that it will remain protected.”
Pictured above: 3^rd Generation Wallace owners Patty and Paul A. Wallace., III

With over 290 acres of important farmland soils, small stream hardwood forests, spring-fed ponds, and visible highway frontage on US Route 1, Homeplace Farm boasts significant forestry and agricultural ability and wildlife habitat.  The agreement will keep the property whole, helping to ensure that it will remain available for growing and harvesting timber or crops as well as recreational uses such as hunting and fishing.  Seth Cook, Director of Land Conservation with PDLT, noted that “family-owned land is the core around which we build our work and to protect a property that showcases those values is very satisfying.” 

Pictured above:  Ethylene G. and Paul A. Wallace, Sr. (S.C. Senator 1946-1958)

With the Homeplace Farm as the latest addition, Pee Dee Land Trust has now protected over 24,900 acres in the Pee Dee Region.  While remaining in private ownership, the lands protected through conservation easements held by PDLT ensure that special places will be available for farming, forestry, and recreation for future generations. 

Pee Dee Land Trust works in nine counties of the Pee Dee region in South Carolina: Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg.  Its mission is to protect, and to promote an appreciation of, the significant natural, agricultural, and historical resources of the Pee Dee Region through voluntary land conservation and educational programs. Pee Dee Land Trust has a toolbox full of options to help landowners who are interested in conservation such as accepting donations of land or conservation easements.   .