On Wednesday, April 18, more than 150 people gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the Open Land Trust at Historic Penn Center. The event marked the 41st year of the organization and its members.
Executive Director Patty Kennedy lauded the 4,600 acres of land protected in 2011 by the trust, bringing its total land protected to 19,700 acres in Beaufort and surrounding counties.  “The Land Trust works hand in hand with Beaufort County’s Rural and Critical Land Program, the City of Beaufort, as well as the Marine Corps Air Station and Natural Resource Conservation Service to expand land conservation efforts for all areas of the county; we are so thankful for these partnerships and thrilled at the success achieved because of them,” she said.
Kennedy provided highlights of work being done on park and open space planning, rural and farmland protection, air station buffering and conservation of lands on rivers and streams which drain into the county. Dean Moss, president of the board of directors, thanked numerous volunteers, both individuals and groups, who contribute to the success of the organization.
The keynote speaker for the event was Walter Mack, executive director of Penn Center who shared the history and vision of the school and highlighted its relationship with the community and Open Land Trust. The trust holds a conservation easement on land owned by Penn Center.
With the forecasted rain holding off, the event pulled together a diverse group of people to enjoy good food and celebrate worthy accomplishments by a small, but mighty, organization.