Pee Dee Land Trust received a $45,000 grant to initiate a long-term strategic Landowner Education Program throughout northeastern South Carolina. The grant is part of the Duke Energy Foundation’s commitment to help regional nonprofits protect and improve the environment.

The funds awarded by Duke Energy will be used by Pee Dee Land Trust to educate landowners about voluntary conservation options for their properties, and to inform the residents throughout the region about the benefits of land conservation. In addition, maps will be prepared highlighting prime agricultural land, working forests, historic sites and natural areas as priorities for conservation in the region.  

“At Duke Energy, we are dedicated to being good stewards of the environment,” said Mindy Taylor, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “That’s why it is important to us to support organizations like the Pee Dee Land Trust that help educate communities about the natural resources in their own backyards.”

The overall goal of PDLT’s Landowner Education Program is to help facilitate the generation of new conservation easement projects protecting area waterways, natural areas, working farms and forests, and historic sites in our 9-county coverage area of South Carolina.  PDLT plans to align efforts with successful land trusts across the country to educate the general public and, more importantly to our efforts, to educate the large property owners in our area as to how conservation easements can help benefit their legacy, their bottom line, and the overall quality of life for the residents and visitors to the Pee Dee region. 

“Our staff and board  work with many conservation-minded landowners to preserve special places, yet some of the most cherished rural properties in our region are owned by people who have never heard of the Pee Dee Land Trust or learned about conservation opportunities for their land,” said David Harper, the Trust’s executive director. “The Landowner Education Program funded by this grant will allow us to reach these critical new audiences, help them understand the value of conservation for their communities and their families, and ultimately to expand the amount of high quality conservation areas that will be here for future generations.”  

Pictured above from left to right:
- David Harper, Pee Dee Land Trust, Executive Director
- Mindy Taylor, Duke Energy, Government and Community Relations District Manager
- Seth Cook, Pee Dee Land Trust, Director of Land Protection

About the Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. In 2015, the foundation provided more than $30 million in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.

Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit http://www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at http://duke-energy.com. 

 

About Pee Dee Land Trust

Pee Dee Land Trust (PDLT) 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. With the Pettigrew Tract as the latest addition, Pee Dee Land Trust has now protected over 24,800 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.  PDLT has a toolbox full of options to help landowners who are interested in conservation such as accepting donations of land or conservation easements. You do not have to own land to join PDLT’s conservation community; you can join today as an annual member, volunteer, donate in-kind gifts to our fundraisers.