Originally distributed by Jasper County Administrator’s Office on September 9, 2026
Ridgeland, S.C. — Jasper County has selected Wyche, P.A., a South Carolina-based law firm, to serve as Greenbelt Program Manager for the County’s new $94 million greenbelt fund, created through a transportation sales and use tax approved by voters last year.
Will Cook, a Beaufort County native and member of Wyche, P.A., will lead the engagement alongside colleagues Rita Bolt Barker and Cary Hall. The team will also work with Raleigh West, former Executive Director of the South Carolina Conservation Bank and principal of West Branch Advisors, LLC, who will serve as consulting expert. Wyche has a decades-long record in land conservation, with generations of its attorneys helping protect tens of thousands of acres across South Carolina, including lands that now comprise some of the state’s most treasured natural areas and state parks.
“We are excited to take this important step forward on behalf of Jasper County’s residents,” said James Iwanicki, Interim County Administrator. “The voters made their priorities clear, and with the deep experience of Wyche, P.A. and Raleigh West, we are confident this program will deliver lasting benefits for our community and our natural resources.”
The Greenbelt Program Manager will develop the program’s scoring criteria, standard operating procedures, and a comprehensive Program Compliance Manual. Wyche will also lead development of a Greenbelt Study, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and review and score applications for land conservation acquisitions. The team will coordinate due diligence on properties, draft and negotiate conservation easements and purchase agreements, and pursue strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Open Land Trust, Lowcountry Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Open Space Institute, and Ducks Unlimited.
Jasper County anticipates opening its first phase of greenbelt applications in October 2026.
“We look forward to serving as Jasper County’s valued partner in this effort,” said Will Cook. “This program represents a tremendous opportunity to preserve the natural beauty and ecological resources of Jasper County for generations to come. Wyche has a strong history of working with conservation organizations and community partners to protect ecologically sensitive lands across South Carolina, and we are honored to bring that experience to this initiative. We’re also fortunate to collaborate with Raleigh West. His record of leadership at the South Carolina Conservation Bank makes him a great fit.”
The greenbelt fund is expected to generate approximately $1.8 million in revenue in its first year. Over the program’s duration, the fund will support strategic land conservation, protection of critical natural areas and heritage landscapes, and green space preservation throughout Jasper County. The program’s administrative model is comparable to successful conservation programs in Beaufort and Charleston Counties.
For more information about the Jasper County Greenbelt Program, visit jaspercountysalestaxprogram.com/greenbelt or contact Amanda Williams, Jasper County Development Services Coordinator, at [email protected].
About the Jasper County Greenbelt Program The Jasper County Greenbelt Program is a $94 million conservation initiative funded through a 1% transportation sales and use tax approved by voters in November 2024. The program will support land conservation, conservation easements, active and passive greenspace, and the protection of natural resources, agricultural and heritage landscapes, and scenic corridors throughout Jasper County.
