Recently protected properties, upcoming volunteer opportunity, and more.

Protecting Land & Water | Advocacy | Balanced Growth

www.upstateforever.org

735 acres recently protected across the Upstate

In case you missed it, we recently announced the permanent protection of six properties totaling 735 acres in Anderson, Greenville, and Pickens Counties. These lands have been permanently protected through conservation easements, which are voluntary legal agreements between landowners and Upstate Forever's nationally accredited land trust:

Eastatoe Headwaters, a 26-acre property located in the Eastatoe Valley of Pickens County, adjacent to the Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area
Five Oaks Farm, 401 acres of forest and pastureland with more than a mile of frontage along the Saluda River located in Southern Greenville County
Beaverdam Creek Preserve, a 33-acre property with significant frontage along Beaverdam Creek, wildlife habitat, and 11 acres of wetlands located just outside of the City of Greer in Greenville County
Bryson Children’s Nature Walk, a 63-acre property on which the Town of Six Mile plans to open a public park and outdoor classroom for students at the adjacent Six Mile Elementary School
Blackwell Farm, approximately 50 acres containing hardwood and pine forests, diverse plant species and wildlife habitat, and tributaries of the Tyger River in Northern Greenville County

Heirs' property solutions

The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation in North Charleston is working to address what the USDA recognizes as "the leading cause of Black involuntary land loss." We spoke with Jeff Winget, Director of Communications for the Center, about how the organization serves the Lowcountry and its plans to continue expanding services statewide. Read the interview

ForeverGreen tickets available now

We hope you'll join us on Monday, April 24 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at the Embassy Suites on Verdae Blvd, Greenville to recognize several conservation heroes at the ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon, as well as celebrate UF's 25th anniversary. Through Friday, March 24, you can take advantage of early bird ticket pricing. Purchase tickets here

Volunteers needed! Saturday, 3/25

Join us on Saturday, March 25 from 9:00 - 11:00 am for a morning of volunteer work at the Long Branch Mitigation Site on Woodside Avenue in downtown Greenville. We need your help to remove invasive plant species (like kudzu, English ivy, and Japanese knotwood) and litter from this urban greenspace protected by Naturaland Trust and Upstate Forever. Click here to register

UF in the news

As we enter Upstate Forever's 25th year, Andrea Cooper sat down with the Greenville News to discuss our work to protect the Upstate's critical lands, abundant waters, and unique character. She also shared the importance of now, and what the future holds for the organization as we chart the course for the next 5 years. Read the article

Time-sensitive: Learn more and provide feedback on the new City of Greenville Development Code

If you live, work, or play in the City of Greenville, pay attention! The City has released a first draft of the new Greenville Development Code, the updated zoning and development regulations that will put the vision laid out in GVL2040 into policy and action.

But the draft Code is 400 pages — where to start? Our Land Policy Director Sherry Barrett sat down with Shannon Lavrin, Assistant City Manager with the City of Greenville, for a special episode of the Simple Civics: Greenville County podcast to discuss what the Greenville Development Code is, what it contains, why it’s important, and how you can easily navigate the 400-page document to find out how proposed regulations will impact you. Listen here

Once your research is complete, share feedback on the draft Code by emailing devcode@publicinput.com by February 24. The city is also hosting drop-in events for community feedback at the Prisma Health Welcome Center at Unity Park (111 Welborn St.) on Tuesday, February 28 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm and Wednesday, March 1 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm.

We hope you'll stay engaged as the Greenville Development Code continues to move forward. To make sure you receive timely updates and the latest news from UF's Land Planning & Policy team regarding growth issues in Greenville, head to upstateforever.org/email.

More news, information & updates

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events

The days are growing ever warmer and longer, and our calendars are heating up, too! We hope you'll join our staff for one of these spring events:

DIY Stream Bank Repair Workshop – Wednesday, March 1 from 9:00 - 11:00 am at the Boscobel Golf Club, Pendleton | Homeowners, landscape professionals, and more are invited to attend this $10 workshop to address unhealthy stream banks, erosion, and instability through hands-on practice along a small stream. Contact Rebecca Wade at rwade@upstateforever.org or (864) 250-0500 ext. 134 to register. Download flyer with additional details
Greenville Jewish Film Festival screening of Dead Sea Guardians – Thursday, March 9 at 6:00 pm, downtown Greenville | Following this documentary that explores how unexpected allies can join together to protect Earth's most precious natural resource, UF's Clean Water team will join Friends of the Reedy River & Save Our Saluda for a panel discussion about the issues and opportunities surrounding the Upstate's water resources. Purchase tickets
Oconee BellFest – Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at Devils Fork State Park, Salem | UF's Land Conservation and Clean Water teams will be at this annual celebration of the rare Oconee bell. Stop by our table to learn about conservation easements, funding opportunities for septic repairs and agricultural best management practices for local landowners (learn more and see if you qualify here), and how you can get involved with our work. Learn more about BellFest
Barrels & Beer Workshop – Saturday, April 1 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at Carolina Bauernhaus Brewery & Winery, Anderson | This fun event hosted by Anderson Soil & Water Conservation District and Anderson Regional Joint Water System is back for its fifth year! Participants will learn how to install a household rain barrel — and have the chance to paint it to their heart's content. Our Clean Water team will be on hand, too! Purchase your rain barrel ticket here
ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon – Monday, April 24 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Embassy Suites Verdae Blvd, Greenville | See above for information. Purchase tickets

Staff updates

Please join us in congratulating Assistant Director of Development and Community Relations Grace Flaspoehler, Clean Water Associate Rebecca Wade, and Information Systems Manager Alison Miller, who all recently celebrated their first anniversary with Upstate Forever. Meanwhile, Clean Water & GIS Manager Katie Hottel is celebrating 10 years with UF this month!

Lastly, please join us in welcoming Land Policy Manager Allie Martinsen! In her role at UF, Allie is excited to use her expertise and passion for advancing systems-level change through policy to advance efforts to prevent sprawl, protect green spaces, and preserve the distinct character of communities.

Your tax-deductible gift to Upstate Forever will go directly toward protecting critical lands and saving special places in the Upstate.

Support our work

Click the icons below to learn more about our work

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.