Donor Spotlight
Q&A with Beth and Gene Grace of Beaufort Interview conducted by Danner Friedman, Membership Director
Q Q What do you love about the Lowcountry? Q A We love that our region is still so free and open, and in so many ways, similar to how it has been over the past 200 years. There are many places to visit, to enjoy the outdoors, and to hunt, bird, walk and fish. Out on our farm, which is part of the old Fuller Plantation, we can see the exact settings that Mr. Fuller himself saw well over a century ago – no telephone lines and vast, endless marshes and creeks. The peace and serenity of the Lowcountry is still available to all. Q Q Having donated to the Coastal Conservation League for 20 consecutive years, what first inspired you to give to the organization? Q A In the early 1990s Beth was involved with the Beaufort County Council working on critical development issues and the first master plan. The Coastal Conservation League came down to Beaufort and was an incredible resource for knowledgeable decision-making. The fact that Dana Beach was willing to jump in and help right away meant a lot to us. At first, many locals were not happy with our decisions; but over time, more and more people have come up to us and thanked us for our work in keeping rural lands rural in Beaufort County. The master plan was difficult to ameliorate all interests, but we set a precedent for good stewardship that remains intact. Q Q What appeals to you most about the work of the Conservation League? Q A We are all busy and therefore cannot keep up with the many issues that the Lowcountry faces, but the Conservation League always has, and we know, always will. While we don’t agree with every issue the organization takes a stand on, their track record over 25 years
At home along the Beaufort River – (l-r) Ashley Hefner and Dr. Katherine Grace Hefner and their three children; Dr. Gene Grace and his wife, Beth, and their granddaughter; Dr. Heath Simmons and Chilton Grace Simmons and their children. has proven to be incredibly successful and we look at their long-term impact. Additionally, the League is excellent at educating the public on conservation issues that we face in the Lowcountry. It is the only group doing so to such a high degree and in such broad terms.
Q Q What are the environmental issues that concern you? Q A Our main interest is water quality and maintaining the cleanliness and productivity of our rivers and wetlands in Beaufort County. The estuaries are the nurseries of the rivers and oceans. Smart, responsible planning is critical to protecting the health of the waterways that define the Lowcountry. As we have seen in the past and can see with the zoning in coastal areas, dense development along rivers, marshes and wetlands can lead to a variety of ecological issues.
Q Q How does your interest in hunting inform you as a conservationist? Q A Hunting keeps us connected to the land, and spending time outdoors encourages us to protect these rural and beautiful places in the Lowcountry. We C OA S TA L C O N S E RVAT I O N L E AG U E
15
find it a great way for our family to spend time together and teach our six grandchildren, who all live in Beaufort, about wildlife, farming, and hunting as a pastime. No matter whether you hunt, fish, bird, or whatever your interests, there is no greater sense of community than passing along to future generations the values of good stewardship.
Q Q What do you hope for the future of the Lowcountry? Q A We want to maintain and improve what makes the Lowcountry such a special place. With the influx of people moving to the South Carolina coast, we need to continue to promote responsible development that preserves our unique quality of life. We are thankful to the Coastal Conservation League for guarding the integrity of the Lowcountry for 25 years, and thus are able to look forward to the next 25. The Conservation League works for good stewardship values throughout the region, but their influence is really statewide; and for this, we are thankful.