Feb
10
2022
Events
Our World Heirs’ Property Preservation
Thursday, Feb 10, 2022 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
On Thursday, February 10, Kiawah’s OUR WORLD Zoom lecture series, in conjunction with the Kiawah Conservancy, will feature an important discussion of Heirs’ Properties, one of the least understood but most important aspects of Lowcountry land use, sales and conservation, especially on our nearby sea islands.
Our featured speaker, Dr. Jennie Stephens, CEO of the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation will be joined by Brett Wadford, the Center’s Director of Development.
Some background: What are heirs’ properties and why are they significant?
In the years following the Civil War, African American freedmen became owners of more than 20 million acres of farmland. At their deaths, these original owners left their property to family members, often through informal transfers, which didn’t include probate or official registration of new deeds. Over the years, this pattern has made it increasingly difficult to prove ownership of large parcels of land, resulting in significant legal issues and loss of property.
Formed 15 years ago, the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects heirs’ property by helping families resolve title issues. The Center also promotes sustainable land use by providing forestry education and technical assistance to help historically under-served landowners manage their forestland and maximize income, which in turn helps them retain their properties.
This is an important effort and one in which all Lowcountry residents have a stake.
For this meeting, no sign up is required. Click this link to join the meeting.