Protecting Land & Water | Advocacy | Balanced Growth
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In this time of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for your ongoing support
Because of the generosity of folks like you, this year our team...
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Finalized permanent protections on important properties like the Tyger River Confluence at Nesbitt Shoals in Spartanburg (see below) and Soapstone Baptist Church and grounds in Pickens
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Joined a coalition working to purchase and transform the inactive Saluda Grade railroad corridor into a nearly 31-mile rail trail connecting the Western Carolinas
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Worked with 40 landowners to implement water quality improvement projects in the Tyger River and Three & Twenty Creek Watersheds
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Continued to advocate for land use policies that balance economic development with other community priorities while equipping residents to participate in land planning & policy processes through our Advocacy Training and Citizens Planning Academy sessions
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Worked with partners at the Statehouse to pass eight UF-backed bills and secure an unprecedented level of state funding for water protection and land conservation tools
...plus much more! And none of this important work to protect the Upstate's critical lands, abundant waters, and unique character would be possible without your support.
From all of us at Upstate Forever and across this spectacular region we call home, thank you.
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New Upstate Advocate is here
We're proud to share with you the latest issue of our twice-yearly print publication! This edition explores ways the Upstate can find balance between conservation and economic development in this era of robust growth, in addition to sharing the latest news and updates from our team. Read it online
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Recently protected property
This year, our Land Conservation team worked with The Tyger River Foundation to place the 201-acre Tyger River Confluence at Nesbitt Shoals property in Spartanburg County under conservation easement with support from the South Carolina Conservation Bank and SC DHEC. Read more about this project
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UF in the news
As farmers are priced out of land, non-profits and agricultural leaders are working to conserve farmland
As the Upstate grows, so does concern for maintaining greenspace and forests
FOX Carolina also spoke this week with Richard Carr about how conservation initiatives coupled with land use policies from local municipalities can work together to ensure we can welcome new neighbors without sacrificing greenspace, wildlife habitat, water quality, and the unique characteristics of the Upstate. Watch or read more here
EPA cracks down on SC water laws, asks DHEC to change them
In Clean Water and State Policy news, Columbia's WACH FOX 57 spoke to State Policy Director Megan Chase-Muller about concerns surrounding SC's Surface Water Withdrawal Act. UF has joined American Rivers and the Southern Environmental Law Center in signing on to a petition urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the Surface Water Withdrawal Act, which manages most protections of SC's waters. We hope to see continued progress toward implementing updated withdrawal protections and a robust regulatory framework to protect waters across South Carolina. Watch or read more here
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More news & information
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
The Cherokee people — who endured forced removal from their ancestral lands, which encompassed the region that is now Upstate South Carolina and much of the Southeast — had a sacred bond with this lush and abundant land. We hold dear the Cherokee tradition of land stewardship and those that continue to protect, conserve, and enhance nature's gifts.
Congratulations, Ms. Mable Owens Clarke!
This past week, Mable Owens Clarke — the sixth-generation steward and matriarch of Soapstone Baptist Church in Pickens County — received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded to South Carolinians who demonstrate achievement, service, and contributions of statewide or national significance. Mable was recognized for tirelessly working on the conservation easement to protect the land that Soapstone stands on, and for being a steward of racial reconciliation, unity, and knowledge. Read more
Share the Love this holiday season
We are honored to have again been selected as the local beneficiary of the Fairway Subaru Share the Love campaign. Now through January 3, for those that purchase, lease, or order a new Subaru from Fairway and select Upstate Forever, we'll receive a $300 donation!
You can also support this partnership by grabbing a grabbing a "Forester Gump" from Greenville's Double Stamp Brewery (819 Laurens Rd). This collaboration brew with Fairway Subaru is a stout with four varieties of chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and ancho chilis — and a portion of proceeds from every Forester Gump sold will be donated to UF. |
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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.
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