Protecting Land & Water | Advocacy | Balanced Growth
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What conservation concerns matter most to you?
Upstate Forever's conservation and stewardship staff have been hard at work with restoration projects, volunteer workdays, annual monitoring of conservation easement properties, and continued support of our network of amazing landowners.
As 2024 begins to heat up, we want to hear more from you — what issues are top of mind? Let us know by answering the poll below, then read on to learn about practical ways to improve water quality in the Upstate, the Shortleaf Pine Initiative, and more.
Sincerely,
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Lauren Ulich
Stewardship & Land Restoration Manager
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Ericka L. Berg
Land Stewardship Coordinator
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| What conservation issues would you like to explore in future editions of "The Steward?" | | | |
Streambank buffer restoration project | |
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Riparian buffers: an important component of healthy ecosystems
You might have heard about the recently strengthened riparian buffer requirements for Greenville County. This action taken by Greenville County Council serves as a productive step forward for water quality from a policy standpoint, and we commend the Reedy River Water Quality Group (RRWQG) and other clean water advocates for over a decade of work to promote the adoption of these strengthened ordinances. However, there is still work to be done and there are many impactful actions that we can take as farmers, cattle ranchers, or landowners to help improve water quality at the property level.
We know that riparian buffers are the most cost-effective and fiscally responsible way to protect the Upstate's rivers and streams. Intact buffers protect water quality, stabilize our streambanks, trap sediment and remove pollutants, provide protection from stormwater runoff, and provide excellent habitat for fish and other wildlife. In fact, most conservation easements require a minimum of 100' of undisturbed buffer from any river, stream or waterway on your property.
We recommend our conservation easement landowners take the following actions to improve riparian buffers on protected properties:
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Refer to your conservation easement for specifics on riparian buffer restrictions! For example: Is your pasture mowing regime in compliance with this language or are you mowing right up to the edge of the stream?
- Fence cattle or livestock out of streams and rivers. NRCS funding is available to assist landowners to install exclusion fencing and establish watering facilities for livestock.
- Stabilize eroding banks. Funding is available for landowners in the Tyger River and 3&20 Creek watersheds through Section 319 Grants from SCDHEC.
- Consider removing invasive species or planting natives in riparian buffers.
Want to learn more? Reach out to Lauren Ulich at lulich@upstateforever.org for more information about riparian buffer enhancement funding opportunities or for assistance with interpreting easement language on riparian buffer restrictions.
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Attractive shortleaf pine-hardwood savanna with an herbaceous understory maintained by grazing and prescribed fire. Photo by Clarence Coffey | |
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Re-establishing Shortleaf Pine
In late 2023, our stewardship team attended the Shortleaf Pine Conference hosted by the South Carolina Forestry Commission in partnership with the Shortleaf Pine Initiative. This engaging event brought together landowners and land managers, prescribed fire professionals, and foresters to learn about the natural history of this major Southern pine species, management techniques, and opportunities for restoration and planting.
Here's some of the critical knowledge that was shared at the conference:
- Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) used to be the most common southern yellow pine species, but has since been displaced due to popularity of the loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and fire suppression. This important tree species has declined by more than 90%.
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Shortleaf pine is highly adaptable, drought tolerant, and able to thrive on dry sites with marginal soils. Landowners might consider planting shortleaf pine on parts of their property with south and west facing slopes; thin, rocky soils, on higher elevations; or on sites that are too infertile for Eastern white pine.
- Shortleaf pine timber is valued for its density, attractive color and grain, and straight trunks. Harvested wood may be used for lumber, utility poles, structural materials, and pulpwood. This pine species is well suited for long rotations.
- Well-managed shortleaf pine hardwood forests and woodlands provide excellent habitat and forage for quail, turkey, white-tailed deer, and a variety of non-game species. Landowners that manage their property for hunting should know that unlike loblolly, shortleaf's biology and management regime makes it well suited for establishing as mixed stand with oaks.
Landowners who are interested in planting shortleaf pine should reach out to Tim Adams with the SC Forestry Commission at tadams@forestry.state.sc.us.
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Easements with Ericka:
Knowing Your Boundaries
As a landowner, one of the best ways to support your easement is to know your boundaries. Ask yourself the following questions.
Do you know where your boundaries are? If it's been a long time since you had a survey and your boundaries aren't clear, it may be time to consider having one done.
Are they marked? If you know where the boundaries are, make sure they are marked. No trespassing, purple paint, and easement signs are all great ways to show your neighbors where their property ends and yours begins. Upstate Forever has easement signs available for landowners to post.
Have you walked them lately? For a smaller size property, we suggest walking your boundaries annually. For a larger property, walk a different section of the boundary each year.
Do you know your neighbors? Be proactive in meeting your neighbors. Introduce yourself and let them know that the property is under a conservation easement. Who knows — maybe they'll be interested enough to conserve their land, too. At the minimum, they'll know that your land is protected by Upstate Forever.
Questions or interested in easement signs to post on your boundary? Please reach out to Ericka Berg at eberg@upstateforever.org.
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📆 Mark your calendars for these upcoming volunteer workdays
Rocky River Nature Park Invasives Removal
Thursday, March 14 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
We need your help controlling invasive species at the beloved Rocky River Nature Park in Anderson to enhance foraging and nesting areas for native wildlife and migratory bird species. Click here to register
Woodside Avenue Litter Sweep
Friday, May 17 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Join us for an afternoon of volunteering at the Long Branch Mitigation property, a protected property adjacent to Woodside Avenue in Greenville. Participants will help remove litter from this property that serves as refugia for many birds and other wildlife. Click here to register
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Before you go, enjoy some recent photos from the field | Dried capsules containing seeds of the putty root orchid (Aplectrum hyemale) | Lauren Ulich and Scott Park, UF's Glenn Hilliard Director of Land Conservation, enjoying this muted sunset while completing a baseline visit in northern Greenville County |
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Land Trust Accreditation
As a nationally accredited land trust, we hold ourselves to high standards. We have met the highest national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. We have completed a rigorous review process; exhibited strong ethical practices; and demonstrated fiscal accountability, responsible governance and lasting stewardship of the lands we conserve.
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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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