Plump berries, juicy peaches, sun-warmed tomatoes, luscious corn, and so much more — is there anything as delicious as the abundance of summer? To help you savor the tastes of the season, we’ve compiled a list of farmers markets across Upstate South Carolina where you can buy farm-fresh produce and support local agriculture. Click here to view the list

Upstate Forever is proud to support our local food community through our land conservation work. In addition to forests, fields and other greenspaces, our nationally accredited land trust collaborates with landowners to preserve farmland which helps prevent urban sprawl, boost community health, and contribute to a thriving regional food community. Learn more about land conservation

33 awesome volunteers braved a humid June morning to remove litter from Greenville's Cancer Survivors Park this past weekend! If you missed this one, stay tuned for details about our next workday to remove kudzu on a protected property adjacent to Chau Ram County Park in Oconee County in October.

Grant news!

Upstate Forever has received a generous $15,000 grant from the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation. These funds will support our team's ongoing work to protect land and water resources across the Upstate, advocate for smarter growth practices in the region, clean energy and policy efforts, and more.

After forgoing our in-person celebration in 2021 due to the pandemic, it was a joy to gather again to celebrate the Upstate's leaders in conservation on Monday, June 13! In addition to the 2022 awards program, this year’s ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon included several special guests: the 2021 award recipients, who we were unable to honor with an in-person celebration last year, and animal ambassadors from PAWS Animal Wildlife Sanctuary.

Earlier this year, Greenville's Fireforge Crafted Beer generously selected UF as the recipient of donations for each pour of "Allies In Ales," a special ale created in collaboration with several other Upstate breweries. The result of that partnership was a $200 donation — we'll raise a glass to that! 🍻

We love to share tours of the native plant landscaping surrounding our Greenville office on Instagram and TikTok. This month we're enjoying the sights of shasta daisies, purple coneflowers, Stoke's asters, Lindheimer's beeblossom, and more. Download our native plants guide here to incorporate them into your yard.

During a hearing at the SC Public Service Commission on June 16, State Policy Director Megan Chase-Muller spoke in favor of new regulations that would increase transparency for landowners and ensure public accountability when new natural gas pipelines are proposed.

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.

Read the Upstate Advocate

In case you missed it, the latest issue of our twice-yearly publication has arrived! This edition of the Upstate Advocate shares the stories of six remarkable women leading the Upstate to a green, vibrant, and prosperous future, in addition to the latest news of our work across the region. Read it here

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.

For more information, visit our website at upstateforever.org or send us an email.