About FENCE
Preserving green space and educational opportunities.
“The property shall be used exclusively… in perpetuity as a recreational, nature, and equestrian area…”
— From the founding land grant
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, Inc.
The Beginning
Over forty years ago, FENCE was a vision by five men who were very involved in the community. Paul Culberson, Jim Flack, Gus Hoffman, Dave Kirby, and Tom Moore had a vision of providing greenspace for all generations to use and enjoy.
In 1984, FENCE became a non-profit nature education and outdoor recreation center, built around an original land grant of 117 acres generously contributed by the Mahler family, who had come to Tryon in 1933. Along with the gift of land, the Mahlers included stipulations to ensure that FENCE would meet those broader goals. It was agreed that FENCE would be a 501c3 charitable organization; that it would include a nature side to educate children both at FENCE and in the schools; that it would offer summer camps and ongoing educational and entertainment programs; and that the land would be protected in perpetuity, never to be developed. Since then, FENCE has grown to approximately 384 acres, straddling Interstate 26, with approximately 359 acres in Polk County, NC and approximately 25 acres in Spartanburg County, SC. FENCE serves thousands of people each year with programs in nature study, outdoor recreation, and equestrian competition. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors working with a small salaried staff.
Our Mission
FENCE is a non-profit organization dedicated to serve as a community resource for the preservation of green space and for educational and recreational opportunities linking nature, animals, and people.
Our Vision
FENCE’s vision is the preservation of the Founders’ legacy of providing the green space for all generations to use and enjoy.
Community Support
FENCE gratefully acknowledges the Polk County Community Foundation and the Kirby Endowment Fund for their generous support of our operating expenses and Summer Nature Programs for Youth.
This funding helps provide camp scholarships and support counselor salaries, making meaningful outdoor experiences more accessible to young people in our community.