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.

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.