Since 2002, Upstate Forever’s ForeverGreen Awards have honored individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions in fields related to conservation and sustainable growth in the Upstate.

While we chose not to host our annual ForeverGreen Luncheon this February due to COVID-19, we still wanted to celebrate these incredible local people who have dedicated their lives to making their communities greener, cleaner, and more just. You can click here to read the special edition of the Upstate Advocate, our twice-yearly print publication, celebrating this year's honorees or click the links below to learn more about each of these conservation champions.

Dr. David L. Hargett, for his visionary 10-year tenure as Executive Director of Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Judy Cromwell, for her quiet, lifelong dedication to the protection of the Upstate’s greenspaces 

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Clemson University, for decades of teaching, research, and writing that have made the field of conservation more accessible and inclusive

Sustaining Way, for their work to cultivate a thriving, sustainable, and equitable environment in Greenville’s Nicholtown and surrounding communities

Ginny Stroud, former Community Development Administrator with the City of Greenville, for her dedication to neighborhood revitalization, improvement, and affordable housing in Greenville

The Southern Environmental Law Center, for their work to defend the Clean Water Act, mitigate the effects of coal ash pollution, and hold Kinder Morgan accountable for a huge gasoline spill in Anderson County

Many thanks to our generous sponsors of the 2021 ForeverGreen Awards: Greenville Journal, Half-Moon Outfitters, Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission, Legacy Early College, Maddrey & Associates, Natural Investments, LLC, ReWa, and Spinx

Earlier this month we bid a bittersweet farewell to a member of the UF family setting off on a new energy advocacy journey. For 13 years, Shelley Robbins has been a stalwart defender of the Upstate's natural resources and tireless advocate for clean energy and forward-thinking policy. Join us in wishing her all the best in her new role!

Each June, Mast General Store hosts Land Trust Day in celebration of the work of land trusts like Upstate Forever. This year, Mast General is donating 20% of the Greenville store's sales on Saturday, June 5 to UF! While you're shopping, you can stop by our table in the store from 10 am - 5 pm to chat with our team about UF's conservation work.

UF's Energy Advocate will be responsible for managing the organization’s involvement in energy-related issues and will play an essential role in our environmental equity and justice work. Click here to view the complete job description and application details. Applications are requested by 5:00 p.m. on June 24. Apply now

In recognition of Black Birders Week, Lake Conestee Nature Preserve is hosting a guided hike for people of color with Anthony Martin, avid birder and photographer, on Saturday, June 5 at 7 am. This event is open to those that would like to learn more about birding in a safe and inclusive setting. Attendance is limited to 10 participants so register now.

On the final day of Earth Month, we were joined by the Grant family, South Carolina Conservation Bank, and others to celebrate the recently expanded protection of Grant Meadow in Pickens County.

Nestled at the base of Table Rock and hugging Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway 11, the recent addition of 21 protected acres joins a 36-acre property that was placed under a conservation easement by Hoyt and the late Laura Grant in 2013. Read more here

That's a wrap on the 2021 SC Legislative Session! What conservation bills passed in the Statehouse this year, which didn't, and what's next? In the final Legislative Update of the year, State Policy Director Megan Chase gives an overview of the pro-conservation bills that passed and what bills to watch next year, the second of SC's two-year session. Read it 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.

Dive deeper into The Color of Law

Did you attend Impact Greenville's recent virtual event with Richard Rothstein, author of the critically-acclaimed book The Color of Law? You can join an online book club to discuss specific chapters from the book about redlining and intentional government residential segregation. Click here to learn more and register for each remaining session

Your planned gift to Upstate Forever is an investment in protecting our region's high quality of life for future generations. With your support, we can ensure Upstate South Carolina is green, vibrant, and prosperous — forever. Visit our planned giving website to learn about bequests and planned gift options.

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.