Protecting Land & Water | Advocacy | Balanced Growth
Our land trust protected 1,000 acres this summer
Our Land Conservation team has been hard at work this year! This summer, we worked with landowners and conservation partners to permanently protect more than 1,000 acres across the Upstate. These protected lands include hardwood forests and wetlands, properties critical to local water quality, 300 remarkable acres along the Blue Ridge Escarpment (pictured above), and a unique habitat suitable for the the propagation and enhancement of the rare Oconee bell. Click here to read more

Ready for even more good news? We're working to protect an additional 6,000 acres by the end of this year.
RSVP for 2 webinars with UF staff
We're excited to host two informative virtual events in November. Register now for Conservation Easements: Myths vs Facts on 11/9 at 4 pm with Scott Park, and Cracking the Code, a deep dive into the City of Greenville Development Code with Sherry Barrett and Lisa Hallo on 11/11 at 12 pm. Space is limited. Zoom link will be shared by email. Register now
Help protect local farms
Greenville County residents, contact Council today and urge them to vote YES to the Agricultural Preservation Zoning District currently under consideration. It will provide local farmers with a much-needed voluntary tool to help protect their way of life and preserve the important farmlands on which we all depend. Find contact info here
We oppose PNG's proposed natural gas pipeline in Northern Greenville County

Upstate Forever opposes the natural gas pipeline proposed again by Piedmont Natural Gas (PNG) that would run from Taylors to Travelers Rest in Northern Greenville County.

The pipeline would have negative impacts on water quality, property rights, and endangered species — and we haven't received any figures or studies to verify the need for the pipeline at all. You can click here to learn more or click here to read the op-ed we submitted to The Greenville News alongside our partners Frank Holleman of the Southern Environmental Law Center and Julie Turner of Friends of Northern Greenville County.

How you can get involved:

  • Attend the community meeting about the pipeline, hosted by Friends of Northern Greenville County, on Monday, October 25 at 6pm at Famoda Farm (62 Camp Creek Rd, Taylors). We will be there with SELC to answer questions and provide updates. See more details and sign up to get involved at friendsofnortherngreenvillecounty.com/community-meeting.
  • Email PNG and Duke Energy. Tell them the pipeline is not wanted by local residents or even necessary, it infringes on private property rights, could harm our region’s water quality, and threatens one of the world’s rarest plant species, bunched arrowhead. Send your concerns to Hank McCullough, PNG Community Relations Manager, at hank.mccullough@duke-energy.com and Mike Callahan, President of Duke Energy Utility Operations in SC, at mike.callahan@duke-energy.com.
  • Submit a letter to the editor of The Greenville News by emailing a letter no longer than 300 words to letters@greenvillenews.com. Include your name, address, and telephone number with your submission (Note: only the writer's name and city of residence are published).
  • Join the Piedmont Nat Gas Pipeline Awareness Group on Facebook to view the latest updates and receive information about community meetings.
Improving grassland bird habitat
UF, Clemson University, and Conestee Nature Preserve received a grant from the Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative to study, determine & share best management practices to restore and improve grassland bird habitats. After thorough research by wildlife biology students at Clemson, we're thrilled to share a guide featuring key recommendations. View the guide here
Thank you, volunteers!
Our sincere thanks on behalf of Upstate Forever, Conestee Nature Preserve, and TreesUpstate to each and every one of the hard-working volunteers that joined us earlier this month at CNP. Volunteers of all ages helped remove invasive plant species like Chinese privet, mulch young trees, and enhance an important meadow habitat. Thank you, and stay tuned for info on future volunteer opportunities!
More news & updates

Help Clemson researchers
Becky Brown and Dr. Shari Rodriguez, from the Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University, are conducting a study to understand public attitudes towards bats and wildlife management at recreation sites. They are requesting Upstate Forever members help by completing an online survey. Take the survey here!

Annual Meeting: Thanks for joining us!
After a hiatus last year, it was a delight to gather with many of you to celebrate another year of conservation successes at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 17. Thank you to all who joined us, and to our gracious hosts — Conestee Nature Preserve! View photos

Staff news
Join us in congratulating Deputy Director Lisa Hallo on 14 years with Upstate Forever! Lisa joined the team as a Project Associate for our Clean Water Program, served as Land Policy Director for several years, and has recently assumed the role of Deputy Director.

What legacy will you leave?
By including Upstate Forever in your will, trust, or estate plans, you can help protect our region's high quality of life for future generations. If you would like to learn more about planned giving or to request a copy of our free estate planning guide, contact Aldon Knight, Director of Development and Community Relations.
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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.