Protecting Land & Water | Advocacy | Balanced Growth
How will development impact future flooding and water quality?

Every day in the Upstate, 65 acres of land (the equivalent of Greenville's Haywood Mall and its parking lot) are paved over for development. Much of this development is occurring near the Upstate's waterways — whether tiny creeks or major rivers — a trend that could have a major impact on our water quality.

Upstate Forever's Clean Water Director Erika Hollis, as well as Frank Holleman, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, recently shared the potential effects of development on future flooding and water quality in the Upstate with the readers of the Greenville Journal: How will development impact future flooding and water quality?
Honoring Black History Month
This month we are highlighting the many African American leaders who are changing the face of the conservation conversation. These trail-blazers are making strides to engage a more diverse audience in the critical goal of protecting and connecting to our natural world. Follow along on Facebook
Upstate comp plan updates
The cities of Greenville, Greer, and Spartanburg are all in the process of updating their comprehensive plans, plans that will provide the framework for growth and development in the decades to come. Our Land Planning & Policy team has the latest updates. Read more
Congrats, grad!
Executive Director Andrea Cooper recently completed The Riley Institute at Furman University's Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI). This five month program equips Upstate leaders with tools to drive positive change in their communities through diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the DLI
Trivia night at Liability Brewing
Mark your calendars for Monday, March 23 and join us at Liability Brewing Co. (109 W Stone Ave Suite D, Greenville) for some Upstate-themed trivia starting at 6:30 pm. A portion of the proceeds from this evening's beer sales will benefit UF. Scroll down for more details!
Meet the 2020 ForeverGreen award recipients

Each year, Upstate Forever's ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon celebrates individuals and organizations for significant contributions in fields related to conservation and sustainable growth. This year's award recipients include:

The Marjorie E. Schmidt Stewardship Award
Tom Kester, for his faithful ongoing support of Upstate Forever and other local conservation efforts.

The Tommy Wyche Land Conservation Champion
Norman Pulliam, for his visionary leadership as SC Department of Natural Resources board chair.

Public Servant of the Year
Rep. Bill Sandifer, for his game-changing role in passing the Energy Freedom Act.

In addition to the awards program, this year’s ForeverGreen Luncheon will feature remarks from Raleigh West, Executive Director of the South Carolina Conservation Bank and a special celebration to honor Upstate Forever’s founder and conservation champion Brad Wyche .
ForeverGreen 2020 is sold out!
If you would still like to attend, please join our waitlist at forevergreen2020.eventbrite.com — you will be notified if a ticket(s) becomes available. Thank you for being a part of the largest ForeverGreen crowd yet!
March into Earth Day
Drop by Greenville County Square from 10 am – 2 pm on Tuesday, March 17 for an early Earth Day celebration! Upstate Forever and other community organizations will be on hand at this free event for Greenville County employees and residents. Learn more
Why wetlands matter
In honor of World Wetlands Day on February 2, Clean Water Advocate Megan Chase recently shared the many benefits of this unique ecosystem — and where in the Upstate you can get up close and personal with them — on our blog. Read the blog post
Conservation Lobby Day
On Tuesday, March 24, we will carpool to Columbia, joining citizen-advocates from across the state for advocacy training before speaking with legislators about conservation issues at the Statehouse. We'll end the day with a fabulous oyster roast... And it's all free! Email srobbins@upstateforever.org for details.
Join the Legacy Society
Touch the lives of others while leaving a lasting legacy. Visit our planned giving website today to learn how to make a planned gift to Upstate Forever's endowment. Your gift will help ensure we are able to continue our work for generations of future Upstate residents. Learn more
Upcoming Events
  • Climate and Environmental Justice Town Hall – Join Conservation Voters of South Carolina in Charleston on Saturday, February 21 for a discussion about the impacts of climate change and pollution on SC communities. Speakers include Martin Luther King III, former Flint Mayor Dr. Karen Weaver, and South Carolina State Representative J.A. Moore. Learn more

  • ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon – Monday, February 24 at the Embassy Suites on Verdae Blvd in Greenville. Join the waitlist

  • Mozart for a Cause II: Planet Earth – On Monday, March 2, volunteer musicians from the Greenville Symphony, Spartanburg Philharmonic, SC Philharmonic, and Converse College will donate their time and talent for Planet Earth! Seated tickets range from $15-95. More details

  • March into Earth Day – Stop by our table at Greenville County's 3rd Annual March into Earth Day on Tuesday, March 17 from 10 am – 2 pm. Learn more

  • Trivia Night at Liability Brewing Co. – Join the Upstate Forever team at Liability Brewing Co. (109 W Stone Ave Suite D, Greenville) on Monday, March 23 for a night of Upstate-themed trivia! The fun starts at 6:30 pm and a portion of the proceeds from this evening's beer sales will benefit UF. Prior to the event, watch Liability Brewing & Upstate Forever social media accounts for details on a virtual Upstate scavenger hunt. The hunt ends at the trivia night!

  • Conservation Lobby Day and Oyster Roast - Tuesday, March 24. Join our carpool to Columbia for an action-packed day of advocacy. Contact UF's Energy & State Policy Director Shelley Robbins at srobbins@upstateforever.org or (864) 921-0293 for more information.

  • Happy Hour at Liability Brewing Co. – Wednesday, April 15 from 5:30 - 7 pm. Stay tuned for more information!

  • Volunteer Work Day: Cancer Survivors Park – Join us from 9 am - 12 pm on Saturday, April 18 as we clean up the protected land around Greenville's Cancer Survivors Park. We are partnering with TreesUpstate and the City of Greenville to remove invasive species and trash from this place of respite and rejuvenation. Please email ggoldsmith@upstateforever.org for more information and to sign up.

  • 16th Annual Spartanburg Criterium – Mark your calendars for "Spartanburg's fastest night" on Friday, April 24! Join us in the Upstate Forever tailgating tent for a front row view of the cycling action. More details to come!
Do you know about our other mailing lists?

Greenville County Comprehensive Plan Updates
Upstate Forever wants to help demystify and empower citizens to influence the Comprehensive Plan update process. Join this dedicated mailing list to receive updates and alerts for all Greenville-based comp plans.

Planning & Growth Updates for Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County is growing rapidly, with more than 60,000 new residents projected by 2040. 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.

SC Legislative Updates
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.

The Water Log
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.

To sign up for one or all of the above lists, please click here and select the list(s) you'd like to join .
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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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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 .