A Year of Healing

Dear friend of Conestee,

A couple of weeks ago, I walked the newly restored and reopened Froggy Bottom trail. This unique section of our Green trail, between West Bay and the Reedy river, sits low in the floodplain, and is often bustling with wildlife. On this day, the winter sun shone through the bare branches above me as birds fluttered and sang, and the Reedy slipped in and out of view, cold, calm and sparkling. The sandy surface was deep underfoot, a stark reminder of past storms, when the distant water broke out of its banks and rose to volumes almost unimaginable in this moment of peaceful meandering.

That sand, the countless broken trees, our repaired boardwalks: they all tell a story. We have taken great care, particularly in this past year, to listen. To be attuned to the stories of our lands, and from our people. Community engagement and support is written into every reopened trail and every quiet moment of wonder a visitor finds in this “world apart”, here in the heart of Greenville. Just over a year after Helene impacted the Preserve and beyond, our trails are nearly fully restored. With a clear plan for the final steps of trail recovery work, we close the year in a spirit of gratitude and celebration.

Now, the next chapter begins. On my walk through Froggy Bottom, I realized the open canopy wasn’t just a seasonal pause, but a sign of how our landscapes have been affected. The contrast was clear on the ground below, with far more invasive species here than in the restored area across the river. A quiet testament to the work already begun, and to the work awaiting us

throughout our hundreds of acres. Even as all of our trails reopen, the storm’s impacts are evident around us in ways we’ll be managing for years to come. We lost thousands of trees. Trees that stood here for decades, some hundreds of years, before they fell. They will not be quickly replaced, and their loss altered habitats overnight.

Fortunately, the path is clear and we are prepared to reclaim these critical habitats, control invasive species, and replant native plants, shrubs, and flowers that support wildlife and people alike. The work is urgent, and we need your help. 

Your meaningful year-end gift can power this next phase of conservation-focused recovery at Conestee. If able, please consider making a donation today that will restore damaged landscapes, improve habitat for the many species that call this place home, and deepen your own experience every time you return to the trails you helped heal.

Thank you for making a difference. May your new year be full of wild discovery and wonder! 

Make a year-end donation

With gratitude,

Erin Knight

Executive Director