About Us

Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) is a nonprofit organization based in Spartanburg, SC , focusing on land conservation and parks management, and environmental outreach. SPACE is known in the community for our system of public preserves, most notably the Cottonwood Trail, where we work to provide public access to green spaces and the natural world. We work with private landowners and partner agencies to conserve land through voluntary conservation easements and currently protect over 5,000 acres of land in our community.

The mission of SPACE is to promote, protect, and preserve natural resources and open space in the Spartanburg community.

We envision a Spartanburg community with natural resources and open spaces that are shared and enjoyed by people and wildlife today and tomorrow.

SPACE sustains itself through volunteerism, responsible stewardship, and sustainable management of resources.

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Space History

The Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) was created in 1989 when directors of a local community foundation became concerned over rapid growth and the increasing loss of greenspace and habitat. Through strategic acquisitions, land donations, and conservation easements, we have protected over 5,000 acres in the Spartanburg region. Our protected properties encompass varied, unique features, including watershed protection, wetlands, historically significant land, farms, forests, geological formations, and habitat for numerous rare and/or threatened animals, birds, reptiles, wildflowers, trees, and other plant species.

SPACE’s conservation success has been enhanced through partnerships with regional and community conservation groups, such as the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Tyger River Foundation, and the South Carolina Conservation Bank.

National Accreditation

SPACE is proud to be accredited through the Land Trust Alliance’s National Accreditation Program. This is a rigorous accreditation program representing only 420 of the nation’s estimated 2,400 land trusts and conservancies. The Land Trust Alliance’s mission is to save the places people love by strengthening land conservation across America. They have worked for more than 25 years with the national conservation community - comprised of 1.5 million dedicated land conservation professionals, volunteers and supporters - to quickly, effectively and permanently save our most valued natural resource across America.

Conservation Easements

SPACE currently holds permanent conservation easements on over 4,000 acres across the Spartanburg region. Though this land is not open to the public, it is providing public benefit through water quality protection, air quality protection, habitat preservation, and scenic benefits. Conservation easements can be an important estate planning tool and help preserve the rural, agrarian character of the Spartanburg community. Please contact SPACE staff if you are interested in learning more about conservation opportunities for you and your land.

Why conserve land?

Why conserve land?

Our natural places and working lands are part of our character as a community. Through thoughtful conservation, we can keep Spartanburg wild while continuing to grow and thrive. Learn more about how SPACE works.

Building Community

Building Community

We envision a Spartanburg community with natural resources and open spaces that are shared and enjoyed by people and wildlife today and for generations to come.

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Conserving Land

Conserving Land

We work with private landowners and partner agencies to conserve land through voluntary conservation easements and currently protect over 5,000 acres in our community.

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Providing Access

Providing Access

We work to provide access to green spaces for both people and wildlife. Our protected properties include watershed protection, wetlands, farms, forests, geological formations, and natural habitats.

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Take a hike, Spartanburg!

Take a hike, Spartanburg!

Cottonwood Trail

The Edwin M. Griffin Preserve (home of the beloved Cottonwood Trail) covers 110-acres around a 1.5 mile stretch of Lawson’s Fork Creek and several feeder streams. With over 5 miles of natural surface nature trails and Wildflower Way (1 mile of newly constructed ADA-accessible paved trail).

Glendale Shoals Preserve

Located at the old Glendale Mill on Lawson’s Fork Creek.

Upper Chinquapin Greenway

Located on the headwaters of the Chinquapin Creek across from the Milliken Research Center.

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