Laurens County, South Carolina — At 11 am on Saturday, June 27, the Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new land conservation and cultural heritage project in Laurens County, South Carolina. The project will consist of nearly 23 acres of conserved land and a 2- to 3-mile hiking trail. The trail will feature storytelling stations about the tribe’s history and culture, as well as replicas of the tribe’s traditional canoes, baskets, tools, housing materials, jewelry, and other cultural items.
This project is designed to help the tribe reclaim their land and attract visitors to the site to learn about the Cherokee tribe’s deep connection and care for the land. Additionally, if it weren’t for the project, this land would be at risk of logging by the wood-pellet biomass company Enviva, as the land is located in the company’s sourcing area.
The name of the project is the Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation Tribal Forest. The Justice Conservation Fund—a new multi-million dollar philanthropic initiative created and led by the Dogwood Alliance and New Alpha Community Development Corporation—provided the funding for the project. This is the first project that JCF has funded, with more to come before the end of the year and early next year.
The Justice Conservation Fund’s goal is to create community- and tribal-owned forests across the South that can serve as hubs of forest conservation, eco-tourism, and outdoor recreation. This form of economic development is designed to serve as a sustainable and equitable alternative to the commercial logging and wood-pellet biomass industries.
“The opportunity to own and protect this land represents an exciting new chapter in our tribe’s history,” said Chief Dexter Sharp. “It’s in our blood to be responsible stewards of the Earth. In the years to come, our tribal forest will not only be a popular hiking experience, but a showcase of our rich history and cultural practices. I envision generations young and old leading hikes, making food and souvenirs, and leading presentations about our way of life. It will be a bustling local economy that reflects our tribe’s values and deep respect for the land.”
Prior to launching the Justice Conservation Fund, Dogwood Alliance and New Alpha CDC raised funding for two other projects in South Carolina that are similar to the Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation Tribal Forest: Freedom Land in Brittons Neck and Pee Dee Indian Tribe Community Conservation Project.
EVENT DETAILS
When: 11 am on Saturday, June 27
Where: 3988 Warrior Creek Church Road, Gray Court, South Carolina
Speakers:
Agenda:
