Home / Environment / Humbert Woods: Nature Preserve Meets Affordable Housing
Humbert Woods: Nature Preserve Meets Affordable Housing
30 Sep
Summary
- A 102-acre property is split for conservation and 50 affordable homes.
- The project balances environmental benefits with housing needs.
- Public trails will offer access to the new nature preserve.
A groundbreaking collaboration on Johns Island, South Carolina, is harmonizing land conservation with affordable housing initiatives. The 102-acre Humbert Woods property is being divided: over 97 acres will be preserved as a nature preserve, safeguarding forests and wetlands, while five acres will be dedicated to building 50 affordable homes. This dual approach aims to benefit the environment and the local community.
The Humbert Woods nature preserve is planned to offer environmental advantages, including wildlife habitat support and improved water quality. Public access will be facilitated through planned walking trails, a small parking area, and picnic spaces. Concurrently, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is developing a 50-home community on the adjacent five acres, targeting local families earning up to 80% of the area median income.
This project is significant as it addresses development challenges by merging conservation and housing priorities rather than treating them as competing interests. The Lowcountry Land Trust and Sea Island Habitat for Humanity are collaborating on trail networks, ensuring residents of the new housing community will have close access to nature. This initiative also preserves a piece of the island's historical identity.
Funding for the Humbert Woods project comes from multiple sources, including the Lowcountry Land Trust's Opportunity Fund and Charleston County's Greenbelt Program. Charleston County has allocated substantial funding for this and other broader conservation efforts aimed at protecting significant acreage across the county.
