North Widgeon Point is the latest acquisition by Beaufort County, designed to protect the Lemon Island corridor. As a 9-acre drumstick-shaped enclave of high ground, it is connected to the larger Lemon Island assemblage of islands and connected land in Beaufort County, South Carolina. It is immediately adjacent and shares saltwater pond frontage with Widgeon Point Preserve, a 162-acre passive park in the center of Beaufort County. North Widgeon Point was purchased by Beaufort County for $2.7m, as authorized by County Council, on October 24, 2025.

The property includes high ground and high marsh and shares frontage along the pond at Widgeon Point Preserve; the habitat is enjoyed by bald eagles, white pelicans and other migrating birds. 

“This acquisition has been long sought by Beaufort County and completes the protection of our crown jewel, Widgeon Point Preserve,” said Stefanie Nagid, Beaufort County Land Preservation Department Director. “Widgeon Point is one of our most visited parks, with critical habitat for wildlife and now is extended all the way to the Broad River with this addition.”

Funding to purchase the property was provided by the SC Conservation Bank, the Beaufort County Green Space Program, and the Beaufort County Rural and Land Preservation Program (RCLP). It marks the final project expenditure in the RCLP program, nearly emptying all remaining funds approved by voters in 2018. Beaufort County still provides local funding for land protection through the Green Space Program, where approximately $75m remain available for qualified conservation projects. 

“Completing this project is a strong finale for the RCLP program which has protected nearly 30,000 acres and beloved places like Widgeon Point, Oyster Factory Park, Whitehall and other parks as well as worked with local families to protect their land by conservation easement,” said Kate Schaefer, Open Land Trust Director of Land protection and staff liaison to the RCLP program. 

“The Green Space Program is proud to pick up the baton of success from RCLP and contribute to this project in partnership, ensuring a conservation outcome in perpetuity,” said Mark Davis, Green Space Program Manager. 

“The state continues to believe that protecting corridors like North Widgeon and Lemon Island helps protect land for people and wildlife and promote resilience for coastal communities,” added Raleigh West, Director of the SC Conservation Bank. 

The sellers, having owned the property collectively for over 25 years, contributed to the project via bargain sale after entertaining offers to develop it. “We originally planned for development here, but thanks to the surrounding conservation efforts, we believe the view of the Broad River is too beautiful to lose,” said Danny Henderson, representing the owners Danny Henderson, John E Parker and families of the late J Robert Peters. “We are proud to contribute to the protected land and the public’s enjoyment of Widgeon Point Preserve and a healthy Port Royal Sound.”

The protected corridor along Highway 170 include several fee-owned properties such as Widgeon Point Preserve (Beaufort County, Open Land Trust), Lemon Island (425 acres, OLT) the Mobley Tract (105 acres, Beaufort County and Port Royal Sound Foundation) and other properties along the Chechessee River. This corridor is accessible by SC Highway 170 (Okatie Highway) and highly visible and accessible by the public. Now including North Widgeon, every access point along Highway 170 between the Broad and Chechessee River is permanently protected.  

These properties provide visual and physical access to the expansive Port Royal Sound. The Port Royal Sound system is unique compared to other coastal areas in North America because it is a large embayment dominated by expansive salt marshes and an area with high salinity water. The net result was and is that Port Royal Sound represents a marine habitat that extends inland for nearly 20 miles. Land protection upstream has greater urgency because of its ability to thwart non-point source pollution from stormwater run-off into a fragile watershed. Thus, the Property contributes to the extensive network of protective wildlife corridors, the protection of water quality in the Port Royal Sound watershed, and the scenic natural and rural character of the area – all visible from one of the most highly traveled roads in the County.

About Beaufort County

Since 2000, Beaufort County has preserved over 25,000 acres through the Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program for conservation, parks, buffers, scenic vistas and for preservation of valuable economic and natural resources. The Beaufort County Land Preservation Department manages and operates over 14,000 acres of property, including nature preserves, historic sites, an interpretive center and event facilities with the goal of improving the quality of life in Beaufort County by offering accessible nature-based passive recreation and environmental education opportunities for the residents and visitors of Beaufort County.

About the Open Land Trust

Since 1971, the Open Land Trust (OLT) has protected land in Beaufort County and seven coastal counties in the Lowcountry.  OLT owns 52 properties that protect viewsheds, parks, and public access and supports private land conservation by protecting over 36,000 acres by conservation easement.  Since 2011, OLT served as the contractor for the Beaufort County Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program, supporting qualified landowners through the application process for limited conservation funding to the benefit of Beaufort County taxpayers.