Charleston Parks Conservancy blooms with four new team members
June 29, 2021
The Charleston Parks Conservancy has hired four new team members to help further its mission of creating stunning public places and a strong community.
Sara Brunner and Becca Hudson are new horticulturists, working in the more than 20 parks the Conservancy maintains within the City of Charleston.
Sara Brunner, Mara DeMauro, Courtney Olson and Becca Hudson
While a graduate student at the College of Charleston, Brunner worked for the college’s sustainable agriculture program at Stono Preserve. There she helped with growing produce, maintaining the herb/pollinator garden, and managing the beehives.
After working for several years as an archeologist, Hudson made a career shift to pursue her love of plants. She previously worked at Hyams Garden Center, tending to the flowering perennials and annuals and doing flower design.
Mara DeMauro is the Conservancy’s new digital marketing and fundraising manager. She brings a variety of business and marketing experience to the Conservancy. She previously managed her own local businesses and worked in the marketing department at software company Blackbaud.
Courtney Olson has joined the Conservancy team as community garden manager and educator. After two decades of farming, gardening, and operating restaurants in the Northeast, Olson and her family relocated to Charleston.
“The Charleston Parks Conservancy is ramping up its programs and events as we move into the summer and fall. We’re excited to have these new team members on board as we continue to connect people to their parks,” said Conservancy Executive Director Tom McGuire.
About the Charleston Parks Conservancy
The Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the people of Charleston to connect with their parks and create stunning public places and a strong community. For more than 13 years, the Conservancy — through public-private partnerships — has had a hand in renovating and beautifying more than 20 parks in the City of Charleston. In 2020, renovations were completed at Moultrie Playground and at St. Julian Devine Community Center & Park. Other notable projects include the complete renovation of Colonial Lake, the renovation of the Rose Pavilion at Hampton Park as well as Magnolia Park and Community Garden and Medway Park and Community Garden. For more information, visit www.
