What We Do
Following the momentum of our founder, Tommy Wyche, Naturaland Trust focuses its conservation efforts in the Cherokee Foothills and Blue Ridge escarpment area of South Carolina. Protecting critical land linkages ensures that the watersheds, woodlands, and unique ecoregions of the Upstate will remain in their natural state and open to public use. Naturaland Trust currently owns and manages over 9,000 acres and has played a direct role in conserving and protecting another 100,000+ acres. We work with willing sellers and our partners to create a lasting legacy of South Carolina's unique mountain landscape through fee simple acquisition. Often, Naturaland Trust steps in to protect key properties on behalf of state, county and federal agencies.
Our Founder
Founded in 1973 by Greenville attorney C. Thomas ‘Tommy’ Wyche, Naturaland Trust is one of the Southeast’s oldest conservation land trusts. Under Tommy’s leadership, the trust protected large and significant tracts of land in South and North Carolina. Naturaland Trust has worked in cooperation with many private, government and other non-profit groups to protect over 100,000 acres throughout its tenure.
In the late 70’s Naturaland Trust drafted legislation, which was subsequently passed, authorizing government agencies to grant conservation easements. These easements, incorporated into property deeds, have become important tools in limiting development on properties, while retaining private ownership and access.
Renaissance Man, a biography by Lynne Lucas (published 2020), chronicles the life and contributions of Tommy Wyche. Contact us for ordering details.
The Trust’s successes along the Blue Ridge escarpment include leading the effort to preserve the 40,000-acre Mountain Bridge Wilderness – including permanent protection of the Greenville Watersheds, constructing over 50 miles of hiking trails in the mountains, taking an integral role in the campaign for state ownership of the 34,000-acre Jocassee Gorges and bringing to completion the acquisition of the Blue Wall Preserve. These areas taken together offer protection for one of the most biologically diverse and unique eco-regions in North America. Naturaland Trust has also been involved in protecting and enhancing significant river and riparian resources in Upstate South Carolina, as well as other conservation issues.
Tommy Wyche’s conservation leadership in guiding Naturaland Trust over the years has been recognized by numerous regional and national awards, legislative resolutions and three honorary doctorate degrees. Several hardcover books published by Tommy and the Trust serve to remind readers of the natural treasures to be protected in South Carolina. Tommy’s work ethic, ingenuity and passion for conservation is one that Naturaland Trust continues in his honor.
Partners
Our effectiveness comes from our ability to work closely with myriad government agencies, non-profit organizations, private foundations, and local landowners. This high level of inner-agency cooperation insures our success along the Blue Ridge escarpment of the South Carolina high country. Without the help of like-minded conservationists, our goals could never be reached.
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