New Leadership at Beaufort Open Land Trust
The Beaufort-based Open Land Trust has appointed Liz O’Brien as its new executive director. O’Brien previously served as the organization’s director of development for the past two years. Board President Charley Webb noted O’Brien’s strong connection to the Lowcountry, which she considers home.
This appointment follows Kristin Williams’ departure in July after a nine-year tenure as executive director. Williams accepted the position of president of the Nemours Wildlife Foundation.
The Open Land Trust, recognized by the Secretary of State as the state’s first land trust on April 27, works to protect the Lowcountry’s landscapes, waterways, working lands, wildlife habitats, and cultural heritage. The organization has protected over 41,000 acres of land in the Lowcountry through 114 conservation easements and 49 property purchases.
In a recent initiative, the Trust collaborated with the Rhodes family to permanently protect 900 acres of their family land within the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto Basin. This project also supports the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort by limiting development in areas beneath the air station’s flight paths. The United States Navy contributed funding for this project and will assist the Open Land Trust in monitoring the land.
