Last month we announced UF's opposition to a natural gas transmission pipeline proposed for northern Greenville Co. by Piedmont Natural Gas (PNG). We are now glad to share that PNG has dropped plans for the proposed route from Travelers Rest to Taylors and is reevaluating the project that our evaluation deemed unnecessary with likely negative environmental impacts. Read more

Did you catch the recent screening of Brave Blue World hosted by Renewable Water Resources? Clean Water Director Erika Hollis joined fellow local water experts from Lake Conestee Nature Preserve and Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District to discuss the future of water in the Upstate following the film. Watch a recording of the virtual discussion on YouTube here.

Greenville County Council held a public hearing and unanimously passed the second reading of the Greenville Co. Historic and Natural Resources Trust (HNRT) earlier this month, which would establish a conservation fund to protect the County's special places. The final reading of the ordinance will be on Dec. 15 at 5:00 pm. Want to receive dedicated email updates about the HNRT? Click here

Land Policy Manager Sherry Barrett is celebrating 10 years at Upstate Forever this month! Sherry's work focuses primarily on land use issues in the rapidly growing counties of Greenville and Spartanburg. She also leads our Citizens Planning Academy, an interactive course that helps equip Greenvillians to participate in local planning and land use policy efforts.

GVL2040 (the City of Greenville's draft comprehensive plan) and the city's draft tree ordinance are hot topics on the minds of Greenville's decision-makers and stakeholders this holiday season. Even amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we all have an active role to play in shaping the future of Greenville. Mark your calendars for two key events happening this week:

Greenville's City Council and Planning Commission will host a joint virtual workshop on Tuesday. This is a great opportunity to better understand the draft GVL2040 plan — the future it envisions for the city and the steps that will be necessary to bring the plan to fruition once adopted. Click here for the workshop agenda and click here to attend.

The City of Greenville planning commission will host a public hearing on long-awaited and much-needed changes to strengthen the city's tree ordinance. You can find a draft of the proposed ordinance and results of the city's recent public survey here. Click here for the agenda and virtual meeting attendance details.

Want to learn more about the tree ordinance before Thursday's meeting? Click here to read more of the latest news about the draft tree ordinance, Upstate Forever's stance on it, and find additional resources.

We often include the latest information about land use planning issues in Greenville City and County in this monthly email newsletter, but would you like to receive more timely and in-depth updates from our Land Planning & Policy team? Click here and sign up to join our Greenville County Land Planning & Policy Issues email list.

When the South Carolina General Assembly convenes on January 12, this legislative session will clearly look different than sessions of the past. However, you can still count on Energy & State Policy Director Shelley Robbins to share a weekly Legislative Update with insightful news about conservation issues at the Statehouse. Click here to sign up

The latest issue of the Upstate Advocate showcases the work and words of nine talented local artists who draw energy, comfort, and creativity from the Upstate's landscapes. You can view excerpts from this issue on our blog here, or click here to view a digital version of the full newsletter. Please email us if you'd like to be on the list for future issues.

We are proud to partner with regional stakeholders to implement a watershed-based plan to protect water quality in the Three and Twenty Watershed in Anderson and Pickens Counties. The plan addresses potential sources of pollution and identifies critical areas for protection and restoration throughout the watershed. Partners on this project include Anderson County Soil and Water Conservation District, Anderson County Stormwater, Anderson Pickens County Stormwater Partners, Anderson Regional Joint Water System, City of Anderson Stormwater, Lake Hartwell Association, Pickens County Stormwater, and Three and Twenty Creek Watershed District. Read more about the plan here

Are you interested in owning a property that has a conservation easement with Upstate Forever? Visit our website at upstateforever.org/listings to view properties that are currently for sale. For more information about a particular property, please contact the listing agent directly.

Do you know about our other mailing lists?

Thanks for signing up for the Upstate Update, Upstate Forever's general email newsletter. We also offer email lists dedicated to specific topics like clean water and land protection. To sign up for one or all of the lists below, please click here and select the list(s) you'd like to join.

Greenville County is growing rapidly, and our team is working to ensure that land use policies are in place that support smart, balanced growth. Sign up to receive these periodic updates and action alerts about land planning and policy issues in Greenville.

Rapid change is already underway in Spartanburg, as are planning processes to better manage anticipated growth. Whether you live or work in Spartanburg County or just care deeply about its future, our Land Planning & Policy team will keep you informed and actively engaged in shaping Spartanburg's future growth.

Land protection is the key to protecting what we love about the Upstate, but more funding is needed to protect our region's special places while we still have the opportunity. Get the latest updates on initiatives that support increased funding for conservation in the Upstate.

While the State Legislature is in session from January through May of each year, we dispatch a weekly Legislative Update recapping each week's important energy and conservation news. We also issue Action Alerts on critical, time-sensitive issues and provide the tools you need to contact your elected officials.

Water is our planet's most precious natural resource, and Upstate Forever is working to safeguard both the quantity and quality of water in our region. Our Clean Water team sends out a periodic newsletter dedicated to clean water issues and advocacy.

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.