Henry’s Nature Center Opens in Saluda
A new 20.7-acre nature center opened today in Saluda, offering 1.2 miles of trails, a pavilion, and native plant gardens on the route of the future Saluda Grade Trail. Free and open to the public, Henry’s Nature Center was funded in part by a gift from Rob and Roberta Cart in memory of their son, Henry Robinson Cart, who lived from 1989 to 2006.
Josh Huffstetler, the Director of Operations at Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT), says, “It is the Cart’s family’s dream and our vision to preserve this outdoor space where one can enjoy the solitude and healing power of being in nature, where children can learn about being a steward of this beautiful place, and where families and friends can gather for fellowship.”
Saluda Community Land Trust acquired the property in 2015, through the generosity of the Polk County Community Foundation. The Cart family then provided the pavilion that is the centerpiece of the nature center. Additional support came from the Bradley Foundation and the descendants of R.H. Moody, who once homesteaded this land.
This year, Conserving Carolina became a partner on the project and is collaborating with SCLT to manage the nature center. Conserving Carolina is spearheading the Saluda Grade Trail project on the North Carolina side, and the new nature center is located directly along the historic rail line.
Rebekah Robinson, Assistant Director of Operations at Conserving Carolina, says, “Conserving Carolina is delighted to partner with our colleagues at Saluda Community Land Trust to welcome community members to Henry’s Nature Center for public recreation, outdoor education, and enjoyment of the natural world. We look forward to the center becoming one of the crown jewels along the future Saluda Grade Trail.”
Henry’s Nature Center is located at 9214 Spartanburg Highway. The trails, which are steep in parts, include the DeKay Way loop and Pine Passage, which connects to Irving Street, creating a link to downtown Saluda. Signage along the trails offers information about the natural community in the forest, from oak trees to owls.
The property includes a pavilion with a statue of Henry as a boy, playing with his dog and holding a pinecone. Colorful signage with a turtle and mushroom also reflect Henry’s love of nature. The Cart family has said that their vision for the nature center is for “everyone, especially children, to feel comfortable in the woods.”
Henry’s Nature Center can serve multiple roles in the community. It provides a space for experiential education and youth programs. It also gives community members a place to connect. The trails will encourage physical activity and wellness. The land also helps to preserve local history and sense of place, with the remnants of a historic homestead that was farmed by Robert and Sarah Moody and their descendants.
SCLT’s long-term goal is to connect Henry’s Nature Center to Reclamation Preserve, the Sullivan Memorial Park, and Judd’s Peak via a walking trail. Reclamation Preserve, managed by SCLT, was once a thriving African American neighborhood in Saluda. Along with the adjacent Madame Phoebia Cheek Sullivan Memorial Park, these historic sites aim to preserve and honor the legacy of the Black community in Saluda.
Saluda Community Land Trust is a nonprofit that works to preserve Saluda’s rural character, with an emphasis on community—connecting people through their relationship with the land. SCLT has helped to protect over 2,000 acres and has now created eight preserves that are open to the public.
Conserving Carolina is a land trust that serves Henderson, Polk, Transylvania, and Rutherford Counties, as well as the Landrum area in SC. Conserving Carolina has helped to protect over 51,000 acres. Among numerous trail projects, Conserving Carolina is spearheading the 100+ mile Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and the Saluda Grade Trail in NC.