Laurens, SC – According to Dogwood Alliance, a groundbreaking multi-million dollar initiative aimed at empowering communities and tribes to protect forests in the American South launched its first grant on April 1, 2026, to the Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation in South Carolina.
The Justice Conservation Fund (JCF), established by Dogwood Alliance and New Alpha Community Development Corporation, provided funding that enabled the tribe to purchase 13.5 acres of forested land adjacent to its existing 9.25-acre cultural center in Laurens County. This acquisition expanded the tribe’s holdings to 22.75 acres, now named the “Tribal Forest of the Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina.” The property lies in an area heavily impacted by commercial logging, within the sourcing radius of the wood pellet biomass company Enviva, highlighting the urgency of such conservation efforts.
The grant supports the tribe’s vision to develop a 2- to 3-mile hiking trail encircling the perimeter of the forest. This trail will feature storytelling stations that educate visitors about the tribe’s history and culture, including displays of replicas of traditional canoes, baskets, tools, housing materials, jewelry, and other cultural artifacts. Beyond preservation, the project aims to foster outdoor recreation, generate tourism revenue, and strengthen the tribe’s connection to its ancestral lands, serving as a model for community-led environmental stewardship.
Chief Dexter Sharp of the Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “The opportunity to own and protect this land represents an exciting new chapter in our tribe’s history. It’s in our blood to be responsible stewards of the Earth. In the years to come, our tribal forest will not only be a popular hiking experience, but a showcase of our rich history and cultural practices. I envision generations young and old leading hikes, making food and souvenirs, and leading presentations about our way of life. It will be a bustling local economy that reflects our tribe’s values and deep respect for the land.”
The JCF’s broader mission focuses on regions in the South that have disproportionately suffered from the health, economic, and climate impacts of industrial logging and wood production. By channeling funds to local environmental justice groups and Native American tribes, the fund ensures that conservation projects are owned and managed by the communities they benefit most. To date, the JCF has raised over $1 million, with ambitions to secure $5 million in the coming years to support additional forest protection initiatives across the Southern Coastal Blackbelt.
This inaugural grant builds on prior collaborative efforts that laid the groundwork for the JCF. In recent years, Dogwood Alliance and New Alpha raised over half a million dollars to facilitate the purchase of two key properties in South Carolina. One such project is Freedom Land, a 305-acre forest along the Pee Dee River in Britton’s Neck, now owned and managed by New Alpha. This site, where a majority of residents descend from individuals once enslaved on the property, will host an eco-lodge, hiking trails, and activities including fishing, boating, and horseback riding. The land has been placed into a trust for the descendants, promoting equitable access and economic empowerment.
Another precursor project involved assisting the Pee Dee Indian Tribe, which had lost all its tribal lands during colonization. In 2022, the partners helped the tribe acquire 77 acres of wetlands adjacent to 16 acres it already owned. The tribe has since restored the wetland and established an environmental education center on the site, emphasizing Native American culture, heritage, and the critical role of wetland preservation in the ecosystem.
Danna Smith, Executive Director of Dogwood Alliance, described the Cherokee tribal forest as the third conservation project under the Justice Conservation model. “Economic growth by keeping our forests standing. That’s what the future of the South looks like,” Smith said. These initiatives not only safeguard biodiversity and mitigate climate change but also create sustainable economic opportunities through eco-tourism and recreation, countering the threats posed by industrial exploitation.
The JCF’s approach underscores a shift toward inclusive conservation, prioritizing marginalized communities in decision-making and benefits. By protecting forests from logging, these projects help maintain carbon sinks, preserve habitats for wildlife, and support cultural revitalization. As the fund expands, it promises to amplify voices long overlooked in traditional conservation narratives, ensuring that land protection aligns with social justice goals.
In Laurens County, the tribal forest stands as a testament to resilient stewardship, inviting future generations to engage with nature and history in meaningful ways. The ongoing development of trails and cultural features will transform the site into a vibrant hub, blending environmental conservation with community prosperity. For more information, visit Dogwood Alliance.