UNVEILING OF THE WILLIE & KATHY OYSTER REEF
In Partnership with Boone Hall Plantation, Charleston Restaurant Foundation, Explore Charleston,
Lowcountry Hospitality Association, Coastal Conservation Association SC, Lowcountry Land Trust and SC Department of Natural Resources
SOUTH CAROLINA, May 30, 2024 – Boone Hall Plantation announces the unveiling of the Willie & Kathy Oyster Reef in their honor on Wednesday, June 5th at 1:00 pm on the back lawn of Boone Hall Plantation, creekside. Recycled oyster shells from the Lowcountry Oyster Festival, presented by the Charleston Restaurant Foundation, have been collected and prepared by the Coastal Conservation Association of South Carolina and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for the reef build. The Lowcountry Land Trust is the conservation partner of Boone Hall Plantation.
More than four decades ago, a special bond was formed between Willie McRae, the late owner of Boone Hall Plantation, and Kathy Britzius, the late executive director of the Charleston Restaurant Association (Foundation). This partnership marked the inception of the renowned Lowcountry Oyster Festival, with Boone Hall Plantation serving as its gracious host. Each year, this collaborative effort expanded, incorporating new organizations and initiatives dedicated to raising awareness and promoting sustainability for the beloved mollusk.
“We are grateful to all the great partnering organizations who are coming together to help make this well-deserved tribute to Willie and Kathy come to life,” states Boone Hall General Manager Jim Westerhold. “It’s a natural fit with ongoing conservation efforts to preserve and protect important ecosystems that are integrated with the property and surrounding areas.”
ABOUT BOONE HALL PLANTATION
Boone Hall Plantation is Charleston’s preservation sensation, offering panoramic views and sprawling vistas intertwined with ribbons of water, marshes and tidal ecosystems. The iconic Avenue of Oaks welcomes visitors from all over the world and stand as sentinels over a rich, diverse tapestry of cultures and traditions stitched together by time. The venue features daily tours, a farm that has been continually growing crops for over three centuries, and some of the Charleston area’s signature special events presented every year. Of landmark importance is that Boone Hall Plantation has been entered into a conservation easement agreement with the Lowcountry Land Trust that preserves and protects the property for people today and generations yet to be born. Recognized as the #1 Plantation In The Charleston Area by USA TODAY 10BEST.
ABOUT CHARLESTON RESTAURANT FOUNDATION
The Charleston Restaurant Foundation mission is to support the charitable deeds of the Lowcountry Oyster Festival, which serves the geographical area of Charleston, South Carolina. Its focus is to highlight the member restaurants of the Lowcountry Hospitality Association by providing them the resources they need so that their guests can savor and celebrate Lowcountry cuisine. The CRF holds one primary annual fundraising event: the Lowcountry Oyster Festival. Annual fundraising events enable the CRF to give back to the community that has so generously supported its members. To date, those fundraising efforts have enabled the CRA to donate over One Million, Five Hundred Thousand ($1,500,000) Dollars to local charities.
ABOUT COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION SOUTH CAROLINA
CCA South Carolina is a resource first, science based, angler advocate grass-roots organization dedicated to the Palmetto State’s marine resources. Since 1986, we have worked to protect not only the health, habitat and sustainability of our marine resources, but also the interests of recreational anglers and their access to them.
ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY LAND TRUST
Lowcountry Land Trust—A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—permanently protects land throughout coastal South Carolina that is foundational to the area’s coastal ecosystem and residents’ quality of life. Having protected over 162,000 acres of land since its founding in 1986, Lowcountry Land Trust is one of the leading local land trusts in the United States. More information about Lowcountry Land Trust is available at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org.
ABOUT SC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources serves as the primary advocate for and steward of the state’s natural resources. For over 20 years, SCDNR biologists have pioneered the construction of oyster reefs along South Carolina salt marsh shorelines to stabilize marsh edges, improve habitat for marine life and clean local waterways.
ABOUT EXPLORE CHARLESTON
As the region’s destination marketing and management organization, Explore Charleston represents ten municipalities across three counties. It seeks to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area, create overnight visitation, and support responsible development through travel and tourism strategies.
Photos from the unveiling of the Willie & Kathy Oyster Reef as well as the actual reef build that took place on June 5, 2024. Images captured by The Chart Group.
Coverage from Live 5 News that aired on June 5, 2024.
Recap video from Coastal Conservation Association: Willie & Kathy Oyster Reef