Seeing Through Their Eyes
Local organizations band together to provide children outdoor learning opportunities and creative outlet during the pandemic.
Local organizations band together to provide children outdoor learning opportunities and creative outlet during the pandemic.
While our 30th year is one that we will never forget, for obvious reasons, it does not mean that our plans to celebrate will diminish. Instead, we look to 2021 as a new dawn and a new way to celebrate. Without your dedication, time, talent, and treasure, SPACE would not have been a resource for those in need this past year who visited our special places - Glendale Shoals, Cottonwood Trail, and The Upper Chinquapin Greenway.
Spartanburg Water System (SWS) is investing in the future of thousands of Spartanburg County students with a $12,606 grant. With the grant money, the Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) will launch a children’s nature exploration course called “SPACE to Learn” in spring 2021. This program will provide free outdoor learning opportunities along the Cottonwood Trail for Spartanburg County pre-K to high school students.
"This is a vision from years ago that kind of came to the forefront of the board a year ago, and with the 30th (anniversary) being here, what a great way to kick off the next 30 years, with this gorgeous boardwalk that you can escape to," Spartanburg Area Conservancy's (SPACE) new executive director Amanda Mathis said.
The Spartanburg Area Conservancy, also known as SPACE, is cracking down on littering. They’re asking for help from people in the community to do their part to reduce the amount of trash found on the trails. From now until September 19th SPACE, Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful, and Partners for Active Living are partnering together along with the community to host a Litter Sweep.
The organization and its board of directors welcomed Amanda Mathis as SPACE’s new Executive Director in August. Mathis has recently returned back to Spartanburg after several years in Winston Salem as the Marketing and Development Officer for the Crosby Scholars Community Partnership. Her previous professional roles in Spartanburg include marketing and economic development with the City of Spartanburg and Executive Director of Christmas in Action.
SPACE’s mission is to promote, protect, and preserve nature and green spaces in our community. We’re passionate about our work and can’t do it without you! Your support enables us to maintain over 5000 acres of green space in Spartanburg County. It helps with our general operating expenses and provides a runway for special projects like the Cottonwood Trail Boardwalk Restoration. As we’ve learned these past few months, every bit counts. Thank you to our sponsors whose generosity allows us to celebrate together and build a community around this shared passion. And thank you to our volunteers who participate in everything from trail cleanups to event production. We have missed all of you these past months and look forward to celebrating the 30th Anniversary of SPACE together soon. Finally, thank you to the board and advisory groups who donate time, energy, and various resources to Keep Spartanburg WILD! It takes a village.