Greenville County Historic & Natural Resource Trust Grant Helps Protect 540 Mountain Acres
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2023
Greenville County, SC - Greenville County Council approved the Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust’s (“The Trust”) $350,000 investment towards a conservation easement to help protect Awanita Valley Camp in northern Greenville County. The Trust board had approved the funding based on an application from The Nature Conservancy.
Kristen Austin, Upstate Director of The Nature Conservancy, spoke to the County’s decision to approve the investment, “The Nature Conservancy is extremely grateful Greenville County Council approved the Trust’s recommendation for the Awanita Valley Camp project. There is great pride knowing Greenville County leaders understand it just makes sense to maintain quality of life today and into the future.”
The funding from the Trust will leverage additional funds and a donation in value by the property owner to give a $5.11 return for every Greenville County dollar invested.
Carlton Owen, the Trust Board Chair, shared his excitement for this project, saying,
"We are especially pleased to be able to help protect nearly one square mile of beautiful mountains and streams while also helping sustain one of the iconic camps that tens of thousands of young people and adults have been able to enjoy for more than 60 years. With this conservation easement in place, Awanita will be able to continue serving the recreational and spiritual needs of people from all across the region while at the same time ensuring that its natural features remain unchanged."
Greg Boone, CEO of Look Up Ministries, owner of Awanita Valley Camp, stated,
"With the lead grant from the Trust and expected support from the South Carolina Conservation Bank, we will be able to ensure that this beautiful property that we’ve been entrusted with will be available for future generations of campers to experience. At the same time, the near-term funds made possible by the sale of the conservation easement will allow us to invest in greatly needed upgrades that will strengthen our ability to serve our guests well into the future."
The Trust’s investment in Awanita Valley Camp of $350,000, combined with a very generous $740,000 in-kind donation by the camp, is expected to leverage another $1,050,000 in private and state funds that are currently under review to help protect the 540-acre portion of the total 650-acre property. Land being included in the conservation easement alone is valued at over $3.6 million. Since its inception, the Trust has approved 11 projects that, when all close, will help protect more than 1300 acres of land and create a greater than $7 return on County investment for every $1 granted.
Media Assets provided by The Nature Conservancy
To view past projects and see more information on Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, visit https://www.gchnrt.org/
GCHNRT Press Contact:
Alex Reynolds
Communications Committee Chair, Trust Board Member from County Council District 20
a@alexreynolds.com
Additional Contacts:
Greg Boone, Chief Executive Officer, Look Up Ministries, greg@lookuplodge.com
Kristen Austin, Upstate Conservation Director, The Nature Conservancy, kaustin@tnc.org
