Aiken Land Conservancy is proud to announce the permanent protection of 60 acres in northern Aiken County through the completion of the Shealy Farms Conservation Easement. The project closed on August 7, 2026, ensuring that the intact habitats will be protected for generations to come.
The Shealy Farms Conservation Easement contains 20 acres of open space in the form of horse pastures and 40 acres of remnant longleaf pine sandhill habitat. Both areas provide ecological benefits and support threatened species such as Southern fox squirrel and Southeastern American kestrel. Such protections truly advance conservation needs throughout South Carolina.
Located along Bethcar Church and Bluffwood Roads, this property protects 0.3 miles of scenic viewshed, helping to maintain Aiken County’s rural character. Though often overlooked, viewsheds provide not only environmental benefits but also help keep the broader landscape intact.
At the request of the landowners, Paul and Ginger Shealy, the 40-acre remnant sandhill habitat has been designated as a Special Natural Area. This habitat harbors several clusters of sandhill rosemary, a state-threatened shrub, and can potentially support other threatened species such as Northern pine snake and Southern hognose snake.
ALC is grateful to the landowners for their commitment to protecting this property in perpetuity. Their willingness to conserve this land demonstrates the important role that private landowners play in protecting South Carolina’s natural heritage.
In addition, ALC wants to acknowledge the generous grant award provided by the South Carolina Conservation Bank which made the protection of this conservation easement possible.
Perhaps more importantly, this project began with neighbors talking to neighbors about the benefits and possibilities of land conservation, helping create a growing network of protected lands in the Wagener area. ALC is already in conversation with other neighboring landowners in the Wagener region and looks forward to protecting more properties in this important part of Aiken County.