The Reedy Recap
Friends of the Reedy River
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May 1 - 31: Profit Share Month at Pangaea Brewing!
TOMORROW! May 8: Mary’s Going-Away Party at Pangaea Brewing, 6:00 PM until …
May 13: Bingo! With Friends of the Reedy River at Pangaea Brewing, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
May 16: Volunteer Appreciation Tour of Unity Park Stormwater Best Management Practices w/ City of Greenville – Additional spots available!
May 22: Reedy River Trivia at Pangaea Brewing, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
May 28: Save the date for our next Reedy River Meadow Volunteer Work Day. More info coming soon!
May 29: Introducing the Saluda River Basin Plan, 6 - 8 PM, ReWa. Your Watershed, Your Plan. We want your input!
June 2 - 8: BMWCPA Green Team Ambassadors Volunteers Needed!
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April 5
iMAGINE Upstate STEAMfest
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Thank you to everyone who stopped by our exhibit on April 5 at the iMAGINE Upstate STEAMfest! We hope you enjoyed learning all about stormwater runoff and how to keep our watershed healthy. Visitors to our booth watched our rainfall simulator to learn about stormwater runoff and infiltration, then prepared a take-home “grow your own buffer” activity! We teamed up with AJ Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering and Bolton & Menk, Inc. to teach kids of all ages about the Reedy!
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April 12
2025 Spring River Cleanup
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Our April 12th Spring Reedy River Cleanup was one of the most special cleanups yet:
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Over 220 volunteers registered for the cleanup; and we had at least another 40 walk-ups who volunteered the day of!
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We cleaned at 5 sites along the Reedy (one site was so big that we divided it into 3 sub-sites)!
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We removed nearly 8,100 pounds of trash from the Reedy and its banks, including 132 40-gallon bags of trash and 41 tires.
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For the first time, our afterparty at Southernside Brewing Co. was also a profit-sharing event -- 15% of the profits from your afterparty purchases went to FoRR!
In addition to all of this, we had support from a record number of individuals, groups, sponsors, donors, and collaborators. Thank you ALL for making the 2025 Spring River Cleanup a success. We hope to see you again at our next big cleanup in September!
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April 22
FoRR Attends Upstate Forever ForeverGreen Luncheon
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FoRR Board Members and Staff had the pleasure of attending Upstate Forever’s ForeverGreen Luncheon on April 22 to celebrate local conservation efforts and award recipients, including former FoRR Board Member and ongoing FoRR partner, Melanie Ruhlman, with Save Our Saluda. Thank you to UF for your continued support and collaboration with FoRR and our other upstate advocacy partners!
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April 24
GE Vernova Sustainability Network Lunch & Learn
| | On April 24, FoRR’s Watershed Scientist Project Coordinator held a Lunch and Learn for about 60 employees at GE Vernova’s Sustainability Network. The group learned about the Reedy’s history, past and present challenges, and what individuals can do to help. Thank you GEVSN for your interest in learning about the Reedy! | | |
April 24
Inn At Altamont Public Hearing in Travelers Rest
| | On April 24, the City of Travelers Rest Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Divine Group’s annexation request for the proposed Inn at Altamont on Paris Mountain. FoRR has been closely monitoring this project, as it has the potential to affect headwater tributaries to the Reedy River just northeast of Furman University. Prior to the meeting, FoRR sent a letter to the developer and TR City Council urging thoughtful decisions to protect our watershed. During the public hearing, FoRR Board Members and Board Members Emeritus advocated for sustainable development that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of the Reedy River watershed. Many of our other environmental partners also advocated for smart choices that prioritize environmental protections and resilience including the South Carolina Environmental Law Project, Upstate Forever, Southern Environmental Law Center, Save Our Saluda, the SC Native Plant Society, and many concerned citizens. The Planning Commission ultimately voted 5-1 against approving the annexation. | |
April 29
AJ Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering EcoKids Garden Club
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FoRR partnered with the City of Greenville Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism’s Unity Park team to co-lead a tour of Unity Park for the Eco Kids Garden Club after-school group from AJ Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering. The students learned about wetlands, runoff, the Reedy’s history in Unity Park, and the ecological importance of not walking through planted beds or natural areas (stay on the trail!).
Thanks to both the City of Greenville and AJ Whittenberg for your continued partnership!
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April 30
Mary's Last Day with FoRR
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After 3 wonderful years as FoRR’s Partnership and Resource Developer, Mary and her family are heading off to start their next adventure-- France! We wish Mary and her family all the best with their exciting move.
Please join us at Pangaea Brewing this Thursday, May 8, beginning at 6 PM to help us give Mary a proper FoRR Farewell!
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A note from Mary:
It has been an absolute pleasure to work for Friends of the Reedy River for the last 3+ years and to see this organization grow and have such a positive impact on our watershed. I have enjoyed supporting our board of directors, working with the local business community, and most importantly building lovely relationships with all of our amazing volunteers!
It is bittersweet that I am ending my time with FoRR, but I am looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My family is moving to France for about three years with my husband's job at Michelin. Don't be surprised to see me volunteering with FoRR upon our return to Greenville!
Sincerely,
Mary Sillik
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Sponsor Spotlight:
Dogville Scoopers
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Friends of the Reedy River is proud to have the support of our local business community to help us continue our mission of protecting, preserving, and restoring our hometown river. This month we are featuring Dogville Scoopers. Dogville Scoopers is your local, reliable pet waste removal service, dedicated to keeping yards clean with ECO-FRIENDLY disposal methods. And they donate a portion of their profits to local animal shelters and provide locally sourced dog treats with select monthly plans. Your dog’s business is their priority—so you can focus on what matters most: belly rubs, fetch, and tail wags! With Dogville Scoopers, you’re not just getting a hassle-free, clean yard—you’re helping Greenville County and surrounding areas stay healthier, one yard at a time! Check out dogvillescoopers.com for more info!
Contact info@friendsofthereedyriver.org to ask about all of our sponsorship opportunities, including our Reedy Recap Monthly Newsletter sponsorship!
| | | | This month we are highlighting FoRR Board Member Gustavo Coelho. | | |
Corporate Opportunities:
FoRR loves to get the local business community involved in our organization through volunteer opportunities, sponsorships, and speaking engagements. Contact info@friendsofthereedyriver.org for more information!
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