2022-05-11T06:47:37-05:00 2021-06-30 570381582 ELLIOTT DAVIS LLCPLLC 500 EAST MOREHEAD STREET SUITE 700 CHARLOTTE NC 28202 990 2020-07-01 570809313 LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST INC LOWC 8434100672 635 RUTLEDGE AVE NO 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 TOM HUTTO CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 8434100672 2022-05-10 1 TOM HUTTO 999009999 JANICE A RATICA P00358837 7043338881 2022-05-10 2 AAL1 IAL1 2020 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z TOM HUTTO 635 RUTLEDGE AVE NO 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 9353063 0 X WWW.LOWCOUNTRYLANDTRUST.ORG X 1985 SC TO PROTECT LAND AND WATER FOREVER, NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PLACE, AND CONNECT CONSERVATION TO COMMUNITY. 17 17 24 17 0 0 954941 5374277 81795 143340 324003 1179073 36660 107822 1397399 6804512 0 0 0 0 1256293 1091996 0 0 362787 730162 603295 1986455 1695291 -589056 5109221 22488528 30381705 8105814 10505111 14382714 19876594 X TO PROTECT LAND AND WATER FOREVER, NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PLACE, AND CONNECT CONSERVATION TO COMMUNITY. 0 0 705110 142820 LAND PROTECTION: DURING FY21, THE LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST (LLT) COMPLETED 5 NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROJECTS, FOR A TOTAL OF 3,006.96 NEWLY PROTECTED ACRES; ACQUIRED 2 FEE SIMPLE PROPERTIES TOTALING 1,047.73 ACRES; AND COMPLETED 1 AMENDMENT TO A CONSERVATION EASEMENT, FURTHER RESTRICTING THE EXISTING PROTECTED PROPERTY. ONE OF THE KEY PROJECTS IN FY21 WAS THE ACQUISITION OF MEYER LAKE, AN APPROXIMATELY 995 ACRE PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG THE SAVANNAH RIVER WHICH WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO BECOME A NEW WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. MEYER LAKE HAS APPROXIMATELY 3.5 MILES OF SAVANNAH RIVER FRONTAGE AND DIRECTLY ABUTS THE 31,551 ACRE SAVANNAH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND A 22,780 ACRE UNBROKEN CORRIDOR OF MULTIPLE PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY PRESERVED LANDS EXTENDING TO THE TILLMAN SAND RIDGE HERITAGE PRESERVE WHICH IS LOCATED JUST UNDER 20 RIVER MILES UPSTREAM. NEARLY 1 MILE OF THE NORTHERNMOST BOUNDARY OF THE MEYER LAKE TRACT IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO BEAUFORT-JASPER WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY'S (BJWSA) MAIN SOURCE WATER INTAKE CANAL. THE MEYER LAKE TRACT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A TRACT OF "HIGHEST PRIORITY" BASED ON A 2014 WATERSHED PRIORITY INDEX MAP PRODUCED BY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY WHICH PRIORITIZED LANDS BASED ON IMPORTANCE FOR WATER QUALITY PURPOSES. BJWSA PROVIDES DRINKING WATER TO OVER 150,000 RESIDENTS IN BOTH BEAUFORT AND JASPER COUNTIES, WITH THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF THAT WATER COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE SAVANNAH RIVER VIA THE CANAL ADJACENT TO THE MEYER LAKE TRACT. FURTHERMORE, THE CITY OF SAVANNAH'S MAIN SOURCE WATER INTAKE IS LOCATED LESS THAN 9 RIVER MILES DOWNSTREAM FROM THE PROPERTY. AS OF 2018, THE POPULATION OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH WAS 145,862 RESIDENTS. CLEARLY, THE PERMANENT PROTECTION OF THE MEYER LAKE TRACT IS CRITICAL TO THE QUALITY OF SOURCE DRINKING WATER THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IN BOTH SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA DEPEND ON DAILY. DURING FY21, LLT SUCCESSFULLY DISPOSED OF FRENCH QUARTER CREEK, A PROPERTY PURCHASED BY LLT USING FUNDS FROM THE EAST BRANCH COOPER RIVER LAND FUND, WHICH WAS THEN PROTECTED WITH A CONSERVATION EASEMENT. THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS PROPERTY HAVE IMMEDIATELY REVOLVED BACK INTO THE EAST BRANCH COOPER RIVER LAND FUND FOR ADDITIONAL LAND CONSERVATION IN THE HISTORIC COOPER RIVER CORRIDOR, WHICH HAS BEEN THE FOCUS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR DECADES. IN ADDITION, LLT HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN CONSERVATION PLANNING WITH CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AT THE STATE, REGIONAL AND LOCAL SCALES TO IDENTIFY CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES AND DEVELOP NEW AND CREATIVE TOOLS FOR LAND PROTECTION, STABILIZATION, MANAGEMENT, AND STEWARDSHIP. AMONG OTHER EFFORTS, THIS WORK INCLUDES CONTINUING THE JOHNS ISLAND COMMUNITY CONSERVATION INITIATIVE, A JOINT EFFORT WITH NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY'S COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES, THE COASTAL CONSERVATION LEAGUE, THE OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE, AND THE CENTER FOR HEIRS PROPERTY PRESERVATION. 193992 STEWARDSHIP: IN THE 2020 CALENDAR YEAR, LLT MONITORED 100% OF ITS PROTECTED PROPERTIES (CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, DEED RESTRICTIONS, AND FEE-OWNED) BY ON-THE-GROUND MONITORING. LLT SUPPLEMENTED SEVERAL MONITORING VISITS WITH ADDITIONAL AERIAL MONITORING. LLT CONTINUES TO MEET AS MANY LANDOWNERS AS POSSIBLE ON MONITORING VISITS TO ESTABLISH DEEP WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AND PROVIDE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION MATERIALS RELATED TO MANAGEMENT. STEWARDSHIP STAFF CONTINUE TO OVERSEE MANAGEMENT OF LLT'S FEE SIMPLE PROPERTIES: THE ANGEL OAK PRESERVE, ALGE ISLAND, HERON ISLAND, KEYSTONE, HYDE PARK PLANTATION, THE ASHLEY AND KIAWAH RIVER MARSHLANDS, WADMACON CREEK, THE MALLARD TRACT, SIMMONS CREEK, AND MEYER LAKE. 520 OUTREACH/COMMUNICATIONS: IN FY21, LLT DID NOT CONDUCT ANY SIGNATURE EVENTS DUE TO THE ONGOING PANDEMIC. A SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR FALL 2020 WAS POSTPONED. SOME SPONSORSHIPS AND TICKET PURCHASES WERE DELAYED TO THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR, AND OTHERS WERE CONVERTED INTO SUPPORT FOR A VIRTUAL AUCTION. TO ENGAGE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR IN JUNE, LLT HELD A SMALL "HAPPY HOUR" FREE OF COST TO OUR SUPPORTERS. NEW ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE SUPPORTERS WERE MADE THROUGH ENGAGING SOCIAL MEDIA AND MODIFIED NEWS POSTED ON THE LLT WEBSITE AND DIGITAL NEWSLETTER. A CROWDFUNDING EVENT WAS HELD IN MAY OF 2021 TO DRIVE NEW INTEREST IN LOWCOUNTRY CONSERVATION BY EXTENDING OUR NETWORK OF SUPPORT. NEW INFORMATION ABOUT PROTECTED PROPERTIES WAS POSTED EVERY DAY UNTIL OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL WAS ACHIEVED. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMATIC PROMOTION WAS CONTINUED THROUGH REGULAR BRANDING WORK, WEBSITE UPDATES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND (IN SOME CASES) PRINT COMMUNICATIONS. 899102 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 26 0 1 24 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 17 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 SC X WINKY ZEBERLEIN 8434100670 635 RUTLEDGE AVE SUITE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 ASHLEY DEMOSTHENES PRESIDENT, CEO 40.00 X 107598 0 13105 W MAC BAUGHMAN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 J TRAVIS BENINTENDO TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 WALTER BLESSING JR TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 AMANDA DAVIS TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT FARFONE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALBERT GEORGE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBBIE HOLLINGS TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 SHELDON KRAMER TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 LINDSAY NEVIN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 TELFAIR PARKER TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT DANIEL PERRY TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOSHUA B RAGLIN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 RANDELL C STONEY III TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT WALLINGER CHAIR 3.00 X X 0 0 0 TOM HUTTO VICE-CHAIR 3.00 X X 0 0 0 J STANFIELD GRAY BOARD SECRETARY 3.00 X X 0 0 0 BOB BALDWIN TREASURER 3.00 X X 0 0 0 107598 0 13105 1 0 0 0 0 1190000 4184277 2924906 5374277 TRANSFER FEES 900099 142820 142820 MERCHANDISE SALES 900099 520 520 143340 203655 203655 30348 0 30348 30348 30348 3518483 2543065 975418 975418 975418 13887 5486 8401 8401 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 69073 69073 69073 6804512 212413 0 1217822 X 122417 67676 29942 24799 767020 424035 187602 155383 33610 21601 8140 3869 104965 67459 25423 12083 63984 35949 14474 13561 40497 14937 25560 48726 48726 118386 52997 3844 61545 9592 465 610 8517 11154 4496 3341 3317 37742 9225 7869 20648 137343 72506 30428 34409 10794 9406 792 596 50360 50360 23219 11842 5340 6037 TAXES & INSURANCE 46929 31718 7153 8058 RECRUITING 25303 23432 1351 520 MISCELLANEOUS 12649 125 12524 0 BAD DEBT 11795 11795 18806 873 8488 9445 1695291 899102 433402 362787 1309861 1388231 135389 244094 13700 36 84792 56978 20062089 101040 13671391 19961049 7115023 8555922 28113 14056 130259 161339 22488528 30381705 317864 445682 60950 54785 1000000 3220000 6727000 6784644 8105814 10505111 X 12839896 18268284 1542818 1608310 14382714 19876594 22488528 30381705 5109221 384659 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 4875059 781890 1251558 954941 5374277 13237725 4875059 781890 1251558 954941 5374277 13237725 4078522 9159203 242952 263940 317600 248610 234003 1307105 19830 10000 9134 69073 108037 14652867 593183 0.62510 0.79010 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X X 344 143833.00 1 1 8320.00 185852 1 39871 220 0 40091 46627 244 7000 39871 55712 370 9455 46627 56108 104 500 55712 56034 574 500 56108 1.00000 0 0 19948857 19948857 24514 14720 9794 88718 86320 2398 19961049 LAND CONTRIBUTION PAYABLE 6727000 FUNDS HELD FOR OTHERS 57644 6784644 X 7165681 384659 19750 5486 409895 6755786 48726 48726 6804512 1671801 19750 5486 25236 1646565 48726 48726 1695291 PART II, LINE 9: THE FOOTNOTES TO THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REFLECT THE FOLLOWING: "VARIOUS LANDS AND LEGAL RESTRICTIONS ON LANDS ARE PURCHASED AND DONATED TO THE TRUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVATION. THE TITLE TO 5,969 AND 4,922 ACRES OF PROTECTED LAND ARE HELD BY THE TRUST AS OF JUNE 30, 2021 AND 2020, RESPECTIVELY. THE TRUST RECORDS IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE AT THE TIME OF DONATION OF LAND TO WHICH IT HOLDS TITLE. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, DEED RESTRICTIONS, AND RETIRED MINERAL RIGHTS ARE RECORDED AT A NOMINAL VALUE IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. AS OF JUNE 30, 2021 AND 2020, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HAD BEEN GRANTED TO THE TRUST FOR 145,777 AND 142,770 ACRES, RESPECTIVELY." PART X, LINE 2: MANAGEMENT HAS EVALUATED THE TRUST'S TAX POSITIONS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE TRUST HAS TAKEN NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GUIDANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2021 OR 2020. THE TRUST'S POLICY IS TO REPORT ACCRUED INTEREST RELATED TO UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS, WHEN APPLICABLE, AS INTEREST EXPENSE AND TO REPORT PENALTIES AS OTHER EXPENSE. WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, THE TRUST IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS BY THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL TAX AUTHORITIES FOR YEARS BEFORE 2018. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSES 5,486. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSES 5,486. GEL ENGINEERING LLC BUSINESS OWNED BY A BOARD MEMBER 19496 SITE DESIGN SERVICES - THIS TRANSACTION WAS NEGOTIATED AT ARM'S LENGTH AND IS AT FAIR MARKET VALUE. 0 X 5 24906 FAIR MARKET VALUE X 1 2900000 FAIR MARKET VALUE 0 1 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE CEO/PRESIDENT AND CFO, APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE CEO/PRESIDENT, BOARD CHAIR, ALONG WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REVIEW THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/BOARD LIAISON MONITORS BOARD MEETINGS, COMMITTEE MEETINGS, AND OPERATIONS TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS POTENTIAL CONFLICT ISSUES PRIOR TO MEETINGS. DURING COMMITTEE MEETINGS THE POLICY IS ENFORCED BY THE CHAIR PERSON. IN THE EVENT OF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT, THE INTERESTED PERSON SHALL RECUSE HIMSELF/HERSELF FROM ALL DISCUSSIONS AND VOTE ON THE MATTER. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE SALARY OF THE CEO/PRESIDENT, OFFICERS, AND OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES IS SUBSTANTIATED BY REVIEWING THE LTA NATIONAL SALARY SURVEY, SURVEYING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND IS BASED ON YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE. AFTER AN ANNUAL REVIEW IS PERFORMED BY THE BOARD CHAIR AND ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, SALARY DETERMINATION IS DOCUMENTED AND APPROVED BY THE INDEPENDENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON WRITTEN REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 24E BANK & PAYROLL SERVICE CHARGES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 1,660. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 1,283. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 8,595. TOTAL EXPENSES 11,538. DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 200. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 7,498. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 874. TOTAL EXPENSES 8,572. PROFESSIONAL DEV. & ENRICHMENT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 1,947. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 5,282. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 7,229. DONOR RECOGNITION & IN-KIND: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES -2,934. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES -5,575. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES -24. TOTAL EXPENSES -8,533. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 2C THE PROCESS FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT AND REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. WADMACON LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 356600 LLT BACONS BRIDGE LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 TRANSFER OF LAND INCLUDED A REVERTER CLAUSE. EXISTS IN PERPETUITY. SC 0 LLT ASHEM LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 HOLDS OPTION FOR OFFICE SITE SC 341800 LLT ANGEL OAK LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 6860000 LLT QUEMBY BARONY LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 6727000 LLT FRENCH QUARTER CREEK LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 1895000 LLT HYDE PARK LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 3510000 LLT MEYER LAKE LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 3400000 LLT SIMMONS CREEK-JOHNS ISLAND LLC 635 RUTLEDGE AVE STE 107 CHARLESTON SC 29403 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 2900000 LLT