Aiken/Edgefield Counties - South Carolina

Graystone - North Augusta

A stone’s throw from two of North Augusta’s main arteries lies another realm: 262 acres of peaceful creeks and deep valleys that seem a world away from the hustle and bustle of the metro area.
This oasis, simply named Graystone, is a true gem and one of the latest additions to the Land Trust’s protected areas. A short walk through Graystone’s many peaks and valleys, and you might swear you were in the North Georgia mountains or deep in the heart of some long-established nature preserve, not within the city limits of a major metropolitan area. Deer, turkey, and countless other wildlife call Graystone home. Her five creeks feed the Savannah River, less than a 1/4 mile downstream, with nutrients and fresh water. The mature hardwood forest provides much-needed groundwater recharge areas for the City of North Augusta and is a safe-haven for Augusta’s endangered wildflower, Relict Trillium.
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Columbia County, Georgia

Prather Family Estate - Harlem

More information on this brand new land acquisition coming soon. Please check back often.

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Hart & Elbert Counties - Georgia

Cedar Falls Farm - Hartwell

In the upper reaches of the central Savannah River basin lies almost 500 acres of pastoral beauty, mature hardwood forest, and free-flowing streams that feed directly into the Savannah River. The farm is home to an abundance of native wildlife and is the ‘missing link’ in a larger wildlife corridor that encompasses almost 2,000 acres of protected habitat. The Land Trust is working in concert with the farm’s owner to ensure that generations to come will have the opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty and wildlife at Cedar Falls.

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Lincoln County, Georgia

We are working to expand our protection efforts into Lincoln County. To suggest a property for protection, e-mail info@csrlt.org. Check back often for updates on this county.

McDuffie County, Georgia

Semour Farm - Thomson

Semour Farm - In December of 2003, the CSRLT negotiated by far its biggest and most well-known conservation easements: 1,568 acres of land on the Semour Farm in McDuffie County. This farm is the site of the Belle Meade Hunt, one of the leading foxhunts in the region. It also backs up to Clark's Hill Reservoir, part of the Army Corps of Engineers' Strom Thurmond Lake. This land consists mainly of sustainably-managed timberland, and also contains many historical sites. Among the most significant are gravesites of some of Georgia's earliest settlers, the ruins of a 19th century timber mill and a dam built in the early 1800s to provide water power for the mill. It is a beautiful piece of property and the Land Trust is very blessed to have protected such a large and valuable parcel, thanks to a generous donation by Mr. Boone Knox and his family.

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Cedar Dunn at Cobbham - Cobbham

Cedar Dunn at Cobbham represents over 400 acres of protected forestland in Cobbham, Georgia. The property borders Germany Creek, which feeds directly into Clarks Hill Reservoir (Lake Strohm Thurmond). By preserving this mature forest, we are contributing to cleaner drinking water for the metro Augusta area, providing critical habitat for wildlife, and passive recreational opportunities for selected sportsmen. The conservation rights were donated by Mr. William Wansley in honor of his mother Louise Dunn Gibson Wansley, grandmother,  Louise Dunn Gibson, and great grandparents, Elizabeth Blount Dunn and Judge J. C. Dunn who all contributed to the land's protection and enhancement.

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Richmond County - Georgia

Augusta Canal - Augusta

The Historic Augusta Canal is Georgia's only National Heritage Area. It was built over 150 years ago to serve Augusta's growing textile industry, and now serves as a prime kayak, canoe, biking, and jogging destination for metro-Augustans. The Land Trust has permanently protected 272 acres along this beautiful waterway, and is working in partnership with the Augusta Canal Authority, Augusta-Richmond and Columbia Counties to ensure that future generations have access to the beauty and history of the Canal.

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Butler Creek - South Augusta

The Land Trust has protected over 400 acres along Butler Creek in south Augusta, including mature pine and hardwood forests, vital wetlands, and prime wildlife-viewing areas. The Butler Creek Nature Corridor winds its way through the neighborhoods of over 50,000 Augustans and contains much of the only remaining undeveloped land in the area. The Land Trust is currently working to build a 12 mile trail system throughout the Corridor, granting public access to this beautiful waterway. (get involved!)

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Rae's Creek - West Augusta

In 2003, the Land Trust permanently protected 4 acres of land along Rae's Creek adjacent to Ingleside and Berkmans Roads in the "hill area" of Augusta. This property is the first piece of the puzzle for Rae's Creek, one of the CSRLT's target waterways. On each of our target waterways, we seek to connect various protected areas together to create a cohesive forest buffer. Forest buffers - usually the 50 to 100 feet of forest on either side of a river or creek - help preserve the natural flow of the waterway and provide habitat for wildlife. The roots of large trees within the buffer also retain the soil, guarding against erosion, and filter natural and man-made toxins from stormwater runoff, thereby improving the stream's water quality.

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Rocky Creek - South Augusta

Rocky Creek runs through one of the most urbanized areas of south Augusta. Thankfully, the lower portion of the creek remains buffered by forest, and the Land Trust is working quickly to preserve these areas before they are further impacted by development. The Land Trust has already protected 15.5 acres of land lying along Rocky Creek and its surrounding land and is negotiating for another 98 acres adjacent to these areas. On the currently-protected land, the Land Trust has initiated an agressive cleanup and trail project, and has started hosting environmental education events for local underpriveledged youth (get involved!). We would like to thank the Knox Foundation and the Community Foundation for the CSRA for their generous support for these projects.

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Spirit Creek - South Augusta

Spirit Creek is another of the Savannah River's important tributaries. It runs through southern Augusta-Richmond County. Like Rocky and Butler Creeks, Spirit Creek has sustained a high level of development and environmental degradation. The CSRLT is just beginning to address the concerns of Spirit Creek. To date, we have acquired 62 acres in the Spirit Creek watershed and will soon be working to connect the conserved areas with additional wild lands in the near future.

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Xethanol River Tract - East Augusta

The portion of the Savannah River which flows through the Augusta area is one of the South's wildest and most pristine rivers. The Land Trust is currently working with local landowners, farmers, and businesses to ensure that it remains wild for generations to come. We are also working with the Nature Conservancy to help restore a more natural flow to the Savannah in its entirety. Check our homepage often for more updates as we continue our preservation efforts on this vital waterway.

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