Protecting Land & Water | Advocacy | Balanced Growth
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Thank you, Mast General Store!
Each summer, Mast General Stores host Land Trust Day, an unofficial holiday that celebrates the work of land trusts like Upstate Forever. This year, we were honored to receive 20% of Mast General's Greenville store's sales on June 4, which resulted in a donation of more than $9,200 to Upstate Forever.
We are blown away by the generosity of Mast General Greenville and shoppers! This gift will enable our land trust team to continue to permanently protect the Upstate's farmlands, forests, and natural areas for future generations to enjoy.
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Last call to join us for "Advocacy & Ales"
Join UF staff on Tuesday, August 23 from 5-7 pm at Greenville's Liability Brewing Co. (109 West Stone Avenue, Ste. D) for an advocacy happy hour! You can chat with our team about several key issues impacting conservation and sustainable growth in our region, and we'll have postcards available for you to write to elected officials and local agencies. Plus, RSVP ahead of time and your first drink is on us!
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Citizens Planning Academy returns
Our interactive, introductory land use planning course for Greenville-area residents is returning to its roots with 4 in-person sessions this September-October. Participants will learn from guest speakers and interactive exercise facilitators about community planning, smart growth principles, equity in planning, and more. Hurry, applications are due by the end of the month! Learn more & apply now
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More news, information & upcoming events
Happy anniversary, Erika!
$1.5m in grant funding available for water quality projects
Upstate Forever is a member of the Anderson County Watershed Protection Council, which is seeking grant applications for projects that will protect or restore water quality in areas of the Savannah River watershed impacted by Kinder Morgan’s 2014 petroleum pipeline spill. Education and outreach grants, as well as funds for site remediation and land protection, are available. Learn more
Plant a seed with planned giving
Did you know August is National Make-a-Will Month? By including Upstate Forever in your will, trust, or estate plans, you can help safeguard the Upstate's natural resources and protect our region's high quality of life for future generations. If you are interested in learning more about planned gift options, please contact Aldon Knight, Director of Development and Community Relations, aknight@upstateforever.org or (706) 410-5896.
Furman University to host A New Climate Movement
The Riley Institute and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in collaboration with the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities will host a three-part series exploring solutions for a thriving world in the face of a changing climate. StraightTalk 2022 will feature former Vice President Al Gore (speaking virtually), Climate Reality Project President and CEO Phyllis Cuttino, climate scientists Katharine Hayhoe, PhD, (speaking virtually) and Angel Hsu, PhD, and more. Sessions will take place from 6:30 - 8 pm on Wednesdays, August 30, September 6, and September 13. Tickets are available now
Oconee County volunteer work day Saturday, October 8
Volunteers are needed to help remove kudzu from the Chau Ram Expansion, a protected property adjacent to Chau Ram County Park in Oconee County. Due to limited parking available, the number of volunteers will be capped at 20. Register now
Save the date for our Annual Meeting!
UF staff, board, and supporters will gather on Sunday, October 16 from 2-5 pm in Sunset, SC for our Annual Meeting. This year's celebration will take place on a special property that is in the process of being protected through a conservation easement. Group excursions to Twin Falls and other experiences will be available, in addition to food, refreshments, and fun.
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Your tax-deductible gift to Upstate Forever will go directly toward protecting critical lands and saving special places in the Upstate.
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Click the icons below to learn more about our work
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Upstate Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of Upstate South Carolina. Over the past two decades, we have worked to protect the natural assets that make the Upstate so special — our farmlands, forests, natural areas, rivers, and clean air. We are committed to ensuring that our communities are vibrant and retain their green spaces, outdoor heritage, and unique identities in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl. Our vision is an environmentally healthy, economically prosperous Upstate that offers a high quality of life now and for future generations.
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