Historic easement protects 4,400 acres

A vast stretch of coastal land in northern Beaufort County that was once eligible for commercial or residential development will now remain permanently protected under what Ducks Unlimited described as one of the largest private conservation easements in the country.

The nearly 4,400-acre Clarendon Farms property has been placed under easement by the Cox family and Cox Enterprises, with stewardship provided by Ducks Unlimited. A conservation easement allows landowners to retain ownership of property while permanently limiting development to protect environmental or cultural features.

The easement, valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, preserves one of the largest remaining unprotected tracts in Beaufort County at a time when rapid development is reshaping much of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Instead, the Cox family chose permanent conservation.

“Our family has always believed that it is important to protect wildlife and their habitats,” said Jim Kennedy, chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises and chairman of the James M. Cox Foundation. “We have worked with Ducks Unlimited for many years and are proud to partner with them again. They have the expertise to ensure Clarendon remains a protected part of the Lowcountry and benefits the environment for years to come.”

Located within the Port Royal Sound watershed, Clarendon Farms contains a diverse landscape that includes more than 40 miles of river and marsh frontage, nine islands, hammock islands and roughly 1,300 acres of upland forest.

The property’s wetlands include tidal marshes, forested wetlands, freshwater ponds and historic rice fields that provide critical habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

Beyond the wetlands, the property includes longleaf pine forests that provide habitat for species such as quail, deer, wild turkey and other native wildlife.

“The most important thing we can do for the world is protect wild and natural places,” said Alex Taylor. “Clarendon is a treasure and we’re excited to know that it will be protected and undeveloped so future generations can see it and enjoy it as we have been doing for decades.”

Conservation groups say protecting large landscapes like Clarendon Farms is becoming increasingly important as growth accelerates throughout Beaufort County and the broader Lowcountry region.

“This project represents the very best of conservation in America,” said Adam Putnam. “The Cox family chose stewardship over development at a moment when the Lowcountry’s natural resources are under intense pressure.”

Clarendon Farms also plays a key role in a larger conservation corridor connecting the ACE Basin and the Savannah River — an area widely considered one of the most biologically rich coastal regions on the East Coast.

The newly protected acreage expands earlier conservation efforts on the property. About 1,200 acres were already under easement protection beginning in 2009. With the new agreement, more than 5,600 acres of the property are now permanently protected.

The easement also strengthens a network of more than 20,000 acres of conserved land in the surrounding region, helping maintain wildlife corridors and protect water quality within the Port Royal Sound watershed.

Ducks Unlimited is a nonprofit focused on conserving wetlands and waterfowl habitat. The group reports it has restored or protected more than 19 million acres of habitat across North America.

More information about Ducks Unlimited is available at
ducks.org. Information about Cox Enterprises can be found at coxenterprises.com.