What is the Spring Island Trust?

At the very outset of purchasing Spring Island, developers Jim Chaffin, Jim Light and Peter LaMotte created the non-profit Spring Island Trust to insure the preservation and protection of the Island's environmental and cultural history.

Articles of Incorporation were filed with the state of South Carolina in January of 1990. Property owners contribute to the Trust through a mandatory assessment fee whereby 1.5% of all homesites and 1% of all improved properties are funded to the Spring Island Trust. The Trust owns 1,000 acres of nature preserves on Spring Island, which are protected by deed restrictions, the Mobley Nature Center and the Art Barn, its classroom facility.

During the development phase of Spring Island (1990 to 1999), the Spring Island Trust worked closely with the developers to ensure sound development plans and land management practices, thereby safeguarding the original environmental integrity and cultural heritage of the Island. In 2000 the developers turned governance of Spring Island over to the Spring Island Property Owners' Association (SIPOA). The Spring Island Trust Board and the SIPOA Board work in partnership together ensure that all of Spring Island's 3,000 acres is maintained as a residential community within a nature preserve.

The Trust continues to have three major functions:

(1) to manage the Nature Preserves and other open spaces,

(2) to help members and their guests understand how to be effective environmental stewards through its educational programs and

(3) to work with SIPOA committees that are involved with land use and other habitat related issues.

The Trust also promotes effective stewardship by inviting scientists, historians, and artists to the Island for consultation, study and inspiration.

By bringing the ideals of the environmentalist, the developer and the homeowners together in a successful working relationship, the Trust is a model of land stewardship for others to use, and works to keep the environmental integrity of the Island intact for future generations.