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Land Acquisition & Request to Use SCDNR Lands

Land Protection

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is dedicated to the conservation, protection, and sustainable management of the state's natural resources. The acquisition of lands by purchase or donation allows for the conservation of habitats that sustain fish and wildlife species; promotes outdoor opportunities for birdwatching, hunting and fishing; conservation of rare, threatened, endangered species and their habitats; protection of significant cultural and/or historic resources thereby ensuring the preservation of South Carolina's natural heritage for future generations.

If you are interested in selling or donating your land, please contact the Conservation Property Coordinator by completing the following form: Contact SCDNR if Interested in Selling or Donating Land. We look forward to discussing the potential sale or donation of your land to SCDNR and working together to support conservation.

Steps to Sell/Donate your Land

  1. Contact the Conservation Property Coordinator: Reach out to express your interest in selling or donating your land to SCDNR by completing the form: Contact SCDNR if Interested in Selling or Donating Land.
  2. Initial Discussion: We will discuss your property details, including location, size, and any other relevant information such as buildings, ponds/dams, wells, power supply, etc.
  3. Property Evaluation: SCDNR may conduct a site visit and assessment to determine the suitability and value of the land for conservation or other purposes, such as hunting and fishing opportunities.
  4. Determination: The Conservation Property Coordinator will communicate whether there is interest in moving towards acquisition. Any land acquisition, whether purchased or donated, must be approved by the SCDNR Board and various other external approval processes as required by law. Due to the processes required, selling or donating your land to SCDNR is a lengthy process. However, SCDNR staff will guide you through the process to ensure compliance and a smooth transaction.

To submit a property for acquisition consideration, please complete this form: Contact SCDNR if Interested in Selling or Donating Land

Request to Use SCDNR Land

There are two types of SCDNR requests to use SCDNR land – those that are for recreational activities (e.g., trail run event) and temporary or permanent requests for public benefit (e.g., trail easements, utility rights-of-way, etc.). The SCDNR has established policy to outline the process and considerations for evaluating use of SCDNR lands.

SCDNR Recreational Use Requests

The SCDNR is the principal advocate for and steward of the natural resources of South Carolina. Further, SCDNR holds ownership in tracts of land throughout the State. Each land acquisition has been based upon some intended purpose such as recreational hunting or fishing opportunities or the occurrence of significant plant, animal, ecosystem, physical feature and/or cultural resource. As the human population of South Carolina continues to grow at a rapid rate, outdoor space will diminish and large outdoor areas suitable for recreation are not likely to be well distributed or readily available. Having large tracts of land to provide areas for hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching/photography and more are important to maintaining a part of South Carolina’s outdoor heritage. Public agencies that own land must exercise care in providing recreational activities that are compatible with the resources for which the lands are valued. The SCDNR evaluates recreational use requests on SCDNR lands by first determining if the activity is appropriate and compatible with the purposes the property was acquired and protected.

To make a recreational use request, please complete the Request for Recreational Use or Special Use on DNR Lands Form.

SCDNR Request for Use

To make a request to use or acquire SCDNR Real Property Interest, such as an easement or temporary access across SCDNR property right-of-way work, please complete the Request for Recreational Use or Special Use on DNR Lands Form and email it to requestpropertyuse@dnr.sc.gov.


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