Heir Reclaims Historic Southern Land Amid Legal Challenges

The first two articles present a detailed look at the challenges surrounding heirs' property, focusing on Saul Blair's struggle to retain land bought by his great-grandfather, a man born into slavery during the Confederacy era. Despite acquiring over 300 acres, Blair and many Black Americans have faced systemic discrimination and legal difficulties that have resulted in the loss of roughly 80% of Black-owned land since the post-Civil War period. These pieces highlight the ongoing legacy of racialized violence and property dispossession in the American South. Separately, another article discusses The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to restore iconic Southern ecosystems, such as the longleaf pine forests and oyster populations, which have been severely diminished by human activity and environmental changes. These conservation efforts involve working with private landowners to revive native species and habitats critical to the region's ecological health. Together, these stories underscore the intertwined struggles for land justice and environmental preservation in the Southern United States.