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Sumter National Forest Expands Thanks to TNC Partnership

The protected property will soon be open to public use.

Laurens County, South Carolina | October 21, 2026

An aerial image of a vast, green forest with a wetland in the middle.
Sumter National Forest An aerial of the recently transferred Joanna property © TNC

Media Contacts

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. — September 1, 2026 — The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in South Carolina today announced the transfer of 1,950 acres to the United States Forest Service, Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest. The property was identified as a high-priority acquisition by USFS and adjoins a future 335-acre Laurens County park, significantly expanding the footprint of publicly accessible land at the edge of the rural Upcountry community of Joanna.

“As development continues to move south along the I-26 corridor, our natural spaces are increasingly under significant pressure,” commented Dale Threatt-Taylor, executive director, The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina. “Our team worked quickly to get this property off the real estate market and managed it until transfer to the Forest Service could be finalized.”

The property consists of large upland hardwoods, wetlands, and a series of streams that drain into the Enoree River.

“We’re improving access to the forest and expanding recreation opportunities for the local community, while also supporting the state’s ‘Ten Million Acres Initiative,’ which will put an additional 7 million acres of land into lasting stewardship,” said Daniel McInnis, forest supervisor for the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. “We’re grateful for our partnership with The Nature Conservancy, whose commitment made this possible. Collaborations like this help ensure that future generations can hunt, hike, and connect with the landscapes that make this area special.”

After acquiring new land, the Forest Service formally incorporates it into the National Forest System, opens it for public access, and begins science-based planning and stewardship to ensure long-term ecological and community benefits.

A map shows the Sumter National Forest and a TNC acquisition split between two tracts: in yellow, 1,950 acres transferred to the U.S. Forest Service and in dark green, a property donated to Laurens county.
Joanna Acquisition The map shows the Sumter National Forest and a TNC acquisition split between two tracts: in yellow, 1,950 acres transferred to the U.S. Forest Service. © TNC

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 86 countries and territories (41 by direct conservation impact and 45 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. For more news, visit our newsroom or follow The Nature Conservancy on LinkedIn.