Put Your Land To Work

We offer forestry education and services to help landowners understand the value of managing their forestland for greater income.

Our clients receive education in sustainable forestland management (growing and selling trees for timber), access to markets for their wood and guidance on financial resources and programs available to help them do what they want to do on their land. We provide these services to both heirs’ and non-heirs’ property landowners.

Our three Buckets of Work include:

PREVENTION: Education and services to help prevent the growth of heirs’ property, including: Education Seminars, Probating Estates, One-hour of Free, Legal Consultation and Free Simple Wills Clinics.

RESOLUTION: Services to help resolve heirs’ property title issues including: Preparation of all legal documents, Court filings (Determination of Heirs, Quiet Title Action, Quit Claim Deeds, etc.) and Court Proceedings.

SUSTAINABLE LAND USE: Education and technical assistance to help historically under-served landowners acquire the knowledge and access to programs and forestry experts to manage their forestland for maximum income.

We join our partner – American Forest Foundation in “Keeping Forests as Forests”, and in promoting the American Tree Farm System, which is administered by AFF.  For more on AFF.

 

To become a forestry participant, you must:

  • Own 10 or more acres of land within our 22-county service area (Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg);
  • Commit to attending sustainable forestry education workshops.

Service Areas

1. Allendale
2. Bamberg
3. Beaufort
4. Berkeley
5. Calhoun
6. Charleston
7. Clarendon
8. Colleton
9. Dillon
10. Darlington
11. Dorchester
12. Florence
13. Georgetown
14. Hampton
15. Horry
16. Jasper
17. Lee
18. Marion
19. Marlboro
20. Orangeburg
21. Sumter
22. Williamsburg

If you want to participate in the Sustainable Forestry Program (SF) and you own heirs’ property, you must begin the legal process to resolve your heirs’ property issues by either using our legal help or that of a private attorney.

To learn more about the rights and risks of owning heirs’ property, and the steps you need to take to resolve it, click on the navigation bar above – “Protect Your Land”

Outreach Activities - Education, Wills Clinics and Forestry Workshops Dos and Dont's

FAQ's

Why do I need help to manage my forested acres?

Forestry is a $21 billion industry – and growing – in South Carolina but success in managing your timber is subject to many variables including weather, soil conditions, fluctuating timber markets, a logger’s accessibility to your land, and more. The assistance of a professional forester, who understands all of these variables, will help you realize the full potential of the land.

How can I put my land to work for me?

You must own at least 10 forested acres and call to schedule an appointment to meet with our forestry staff (843-745-7055) to talk about your land. Following the application process, forestry staff will schedule a time to walk your land with you to assess how best to proceed.

How much will it cost me?

Participating in our forestry program will not cost you anything. The work you may need to do on your land will involve expenses that might include: 1) conducting a survey to determine boundaries; 2) prepping soil (e.g. applying fertilizer, tilling, etc.); land preparation (e.g. thinning, clear-cutting trees, etc.); 3) prescribed burning; 4) purchasing seedlings, and 5) replanting and/or planting trees.

I don’t have the money to do the work on my land. Is there any financial assistance?

Yes. We will help connect you with the agencies that can provide financial assistance to help pay for the work you do on your land, if you qualify.

How long will it take to start making money?

Every landowner’s case is different. Making money depends on the condition of your land; what you want to do with your land, and the work needed to accomplish what you want to do with your land.

How do I pass my forestland on to the next generation?

We will connect you with professionals who can help you develop the best plan for passing your land on to the next generation. Part of that plan includes drafting a will so that you can name who you want to inherit your land after you are gone.

What if my forestland is heirs’ property?

You can become a program participant if your property is inherited, but to benefit from all of our services you will need to resolve any heirs’ property issues. Either our attorney or a private attorney can help you with that process.