South Carolina forestry leaders celebrate sixth state forest

South Carolina forestry leaders celebrate sixth state forest June 26, 2026 | 11:09 am CDT

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Woodworking Industry News

South Carolina forestry leaders celebrate sixth state forest

By

Dakota Smith

June 26, 2026 | 11:09 am CDT

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From left to right: Open Space Institute Chief Land Protection Officer Nate Berry, Dorchester County Council Chair David Chinnis, SC State Forester Scott Phillips and SC Conservation Bank Executive Director Raleigh West. Photos by SCFC.

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C., Leaders from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Open Space Institute, Dorchester County, and South Carolina Conservation Bank today celebrated the dedication of Old Beech Hill State Forest, officially marking the transfer of more than 1,600 acres of conserved forestland from Open Space Institute to South Carolina Forestry Commission, and establishing South Carolina’s sixth state forest.  

The dedication event, held on the 1,643-acre tract, brought together state, local and non-profit leaders to mark the culmination of a collaborative conservation effort that transformed privately owned land that was vulnerable to development into an enduring public resource and new highlight of the state’s public forest system.

“Today marks an exciting addition to our state forest system,” said Scott Phillips, SC State Forester. “Old Beech Hill State Forest will provide long-term benefits from clean water and wildlife habitat to recreation and sustainable forestry. This milestone reflects the power of partnership and our shared commitment to conserving forests for the benefit of our communities, today and tomorrow.”

The new state forest was made possible by Open Space Institute, the SC Forestry Commission, Dorchester County government officials and the SC Conservation Bank. OSI led the effort to acquire the property with funding from SCFC, SCCB and Dorchester County, which made the largest commitment of its greenbelt funds to date.

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About the author

Dakota Smith

| Assistant Editor

Dakota is an assistant editor at Woodworking Network, avidly exploring the woodworking industry.

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