Holding onto what matters…

…not just land, but a way of life

Luke Inabinet is a man of the land and the sea. His roots on St. Helena Island run deep — his family has lived, worked, and farmed this land for nearly a century. For Luke, the land is more than soil beneath his feet; it’s memory, tradition, and pride passed down through generations.

Over time, Luke assembled 12 acres along Seaside Road, where his pecan grove meets the saltwater edge of Club Bridge Creek. He’s harvested pecans from trees he planted himself, gathered tomatoes, corn, and cucumbers from his fields, and pulled crabs and fish from the creek. It’s a way of life that nourishes both body and soul—a way of life that’s fading with each passing year.

A Place Worth Protecting

Luke knows every inch of St. Helena. He knows its landscapes, its people, its stories. That’s why the decision to protect his land through a conservation easement with the Open Land Trust was an easy one. He’s watched the island change and knows what’s at stake.

“I love this piece of land. I worked hard for it. That’s the reason I did it,” he said.
“I figured if the Open Land Trust had something to do with it, then it would always be here and it wouldn’t be developed.”

Thanks to funding from Beaufort County’s Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program —supported by local tax dollars — Luke was able to permanently protect his land. Programs like this make conservation a real and viable choice for landowners who might otherwise feel pressure to sell.

Now, when Luke breathes in the scent of pluff mud and listens to the rustle of pecan and live oak trees, he knows his decision was the right one. In protecting his land, Luke has preserved a way of life and a legacy for generations to come.