On February 25, 2026, the SC Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Town of Sullivan’s Island’s efforts to protect the maritime forest. As the Post and Courier reported: “The South Carolina’s Appeals Court rejected efforts from a pair of homeowners to enforce a “selective thinning” plan that would have required an unprecedented number of trees in the lush forest to come down. CLICK HERE to read the full article. You can also see the COMPLETE SC CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS RULING HERE.
Post and Courier columnist Brian Hicks called the ruling “monumental” for conservation efforts in South Carolina, but he warns that the future of the forest will continue to be endangered if the small group of homeowners who want to cut forest down for better ocean views continue their legal battle, and if residents don’t continue to support candidates and policies that support the preservation of the maritime forest.
