To contact Ramsey Creek Preserve, go to Cemetery Contact Information
The Ramsey Creek Preserve Story
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Billy and his wife Kimberley founded Memorial Ecosystems in 1996, and opened the Ramsey Creek Preserve in 1998, the first natural burial ground in the United States and for all practical purposes, in the world. Ramsey Creek served as a laboratory for developing the specific techniques for green interment and project design. It was here that Billy developed most of the standards for what is now known as conservation burial. Dr. Campbell has spoken to numerous groups over the years, including the Natural Areas Association, the Society for Ecological Restoration, the Land Trust Alliance, and many others.
Since opening the Ramsey Creek Preserve, the Campbells have participated the development of many other functioning projects. One of these projects became a disappointment when the owner decided to forgo a number of the standards Billy had developed. While the project did not turn out as he had hoped, the experience allowed him to think through conservation burial in an urban situation and introduced him to ecological design pioneer Sim Van Der Rynn and Joe Sehee. Joe went on to found the Green Burial Council that used and extended Billy’s standards as the basis for its conservation burial standards and certification program. In 2006, Memorial Ecosystems transferred a detailed easement for the Ramsey Creek Preserve to the South Carolina-based conservation group Upstate Forever, and became the first project certified as a Conservation Burial Ground by the Green Burial Council. “It’s been a 40-year trip for us,” says Billy. “Our original intention was to bury people to save land. We were deemed “Treehugger Heaven” by the Seneca newspaper. We launched in 1996, with the first burial in 1998. First was a stillborn child of friends, then a friend from a car accident solidified the rightness of it. When you bury the first body it changes the feel of the land. Connecting people to the land was always at the core. CBA is validation of a long, sometimes, strange trip.” Kimberley agrees. “What is wonderful are the people we have been involved with. There is a sense of responsibility in not being too intrusive or overbearing, but also you realize the gentle quiet and strength of the whole thing. If it can work in South Carolina, it can work anywhere.” |
Dr. Billy Campbell, Co-founder and Co-director, Ramsey Creek Preserve, Westminster, SC
Kimberley Campbell, Co-founder and Co-director, Ramsey Creek Preserve, Westminster, SC
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A Ramsey Creek Family Story: Chris Nichols
"Nestled in the northwestern corner of SC in Oconee County is a place of peace that epitomizes the celebration of life.
Ramsey Creek Preserve is its name, but we know it as a place of warmth that welcomes all who come to honor the memory of their loved ones who rest there. Ramsey Creek Preserve is a green burial site by definition, but its true meaning lies in the natural beauty of its gently rolling hills, mountain streams, and memories of those laid to rest there.
Our families' first encounter was with the burial of a son, Chris, then his dog and best friend, Briar, followed by the burial of our mother.
Since that time, visits to the site leave us filled with peace and serenity. No other location would seem appropriate to us. Nature helps ease the pain and grants a sense of peace not easily found. Ramsey Creek assists nature in this journey for all who come. Words cannot adequately express a single family member's feelings upon experiencing this place, but for our family, it is a place to reflect, love, rejoice and find peace that can only be found in paradise.
We love this nature preserve and are thankful for its guidance over the years, as well as the protection of our loved ones buried there. Serenity, oh what a blessing!"
--The Chris Nichols Family
Ramsey Creek Preserve is its name, but we know it as a place of warmth that welcomes all who come to honor the memory of their loved ones who rest there. Ramsey Creek Preserve is a green burial site by definition, but its true meaning lies in the natural beauty of its gently rolling hills, mountain streams, and memories of those laid to rest there.
Our families' first encounter was with the burial of a son, Chris, then his dog and best friend, Briar, followed by the burial of our mother.
Since that time, visits to the site leave us filled with peace and serenity. No other location would seem appropriate to us. Nature helps ease the pain and grants a sense of peace not easily found. Ramsey Creek assists nature in this journey for all who come. Words cannot adequately express a single family member's feelings upon experiencing this place, but for our family, it is a place to reflect, love, rejoice and find peace that can only be found in paradise.
We love this nature preserve and are thankful for its guidance over the years, as well as the protection of our loved ones buried there. Serenity, oh what a blessing!"
--The Chris Nichols Family
Nature helps ease the pain and grants a sense of peace not easily found.
Ramsey Creek assists nature in this journey for all who come.
—The Chris Nichols Family
