Cox Enterprises donates Clarendon Farms in landmark conservation easement

The 4,400-acre donation is one of the largest private land conservation efforts in U.S. history.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ducks Unlimited announced that Cox Enterprises and the Cox family have donated a conservation easement on the nearly 4,400-acre Clarendon Farms in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The easement, valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, permanently protects one of the last major unprotected tracts in the rapidly developing Lowcountry region, including over 40 miles of river and marsh frontage, nine islands, and nearly 1,300 acres of upland forest.

Why it matters

The Clarendon Farms easement represents a profound commitment to environmental stewardship and safeguarding the natural heritage of the South Carolina Lowcountry. The protected land provides essential habitat for a diversity of waterfowl and other wildlife, while also playing a critical role in maintaining water quality, providing flood storage, and strengthening coastal resilience in the region.

The details

The easement safeguards an expansive mosaic of habitats, including hundreds of acres of wetlands, vast stretches of longleaf pine forests, and extensive river and marsh frontage. This protected property anchors a vital ecological landscape connecting the ACE Basin to the Savannah River, one of the most biodiverse and ecologically important regions on the East Coast.

  • The conservation easement was announced on March 10, 2026.

The players

Ducks Unlimited

The world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's wetlands, grasslands, and other waterfowl habitats.

Cox Enterprises

A global company with $23 billion in annual revenues and a 125-year history, dedicated to empowering people to build a better future.

Jim Kennedy

Chairman Emeritus of Cox Enterprises and Chairman of the James M. Cox Foundation.

Alex Taylor

Chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises.

Adam Putnam

CEO of Ducks Unlimited.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our family has always believed that it is important to protect wildlife and their habitats. We have worked with Ducks Unlimited for many years and are proud to partner with them again. They have the expertise to ensure Clarendon remains a protected part of the Lowcountry and benefits the environment for years to come.”

— Jim Kennedy, Chairman Emeritus of Cox Enterprises and Chairman of the James M. Cox Foundation (PRNewswire)

“The most important thing we can do for the world is protect wild and natural places. Clarendon is a treasure and we're excited to know that it will be protected and undeveloped so future generations can see it and enjoy it as we have been doing for decades.”

— Alex Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises (PRNewswire)

“This project represents the very best of conservation in America. The Cox family chose stewardship over development at a moment when the Lowcountry's natural resources are under intense pressure. Their leadership will benefit waterfowl, wildlife, and people for generations and will stand as one of the most impactful conservation decisions ever made in this region, or any other region of the United States.”

— Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The perpetual protection of Clarendon Farms represents one of the most generous voluntary conservation easements in U.S. history. Ducks Unlimited and its partners will now work to steward the land and ensure its long-term contribution to water quality, wildlife habitat protection, community resilience, and cultural heritage.

The takeaway

This landmark conservation easement by Cox Enterprises and the Cox family underscores the importance of protecting large, ecologically significant landscapes in the face of rapid development. The Clarendon Farms project sets a new national standard for private land stewardship and demonstrates how visionary conservation efforts can benefit both wildlife and people for generations to come.