Environmental Art

The Fort Mill Stormwater Department recieved an environmental sculpture in summer of 2024 from PalmettoPride, South Carolina’s anti-litter organization. The sculpture, a river otter, is hollow and able to be filled with collected trash, helping to make the connection that what we leave in the environment impacts our local wildlife and waterways. The sculpture was installed in Harris Street Park, in conjunction with a family-friendly educational event, as well as a public trash cleanup. 

Dating back to 2013, PalmettoPride first began its partnership with artist Jim Swain (pictured, right, with sculpture), creator of Environmental Sculptures, whose unique artwork dramatizes the issue of plastic litter within our communities. Jim teamed up with friend and fellow creative Paul Quirk to find a solution to environmental pollution that is both effective and engaging. 

PalmettoPride has sponsored the placement of more than 20 environmental sculptures throughout South Carolina in hopes the art will encourage citizens to keep our state beautiful and its natural resources and wildlife safe. “We are so excited to add this amazing sculpture to Fort Mill,” said Mina McLean MacDonald, Stormwater Management Coordinator for the Town of Fort Mill. “The sculpture will help create a connection between litter and wildlife for our community members. Often, folks don’t realize the environmental impact litter makes, thinking it’s just one cup, one bottle, one can, but it all adds up! We chose a river otter because they are a native animal that is directly impacted by water pollution here in our region.”

The Otter joins our other Town of Fort Mill Stormwater environmental art initiatives.  You can learn about our past projects here:

Kirkland Smith "The Fish"

Kingsley Mural Project "It's in Our Hands

Student Stormwater Art Contest