Why do you support Upstate Forever?

2023 has been a landmark year for Upstate Forever. Not only have we celebrated UF's 25th anniversary, but our dedicated staff has made significant accomplishments toward our ever-important goals to protect Upstate SC's critical lands, abundant waters, and unique character.

We could not do this work without the generosity of folks like you. Your support and passion enable our team to show up each day and work for a better Upstate for the generations to come. So we want to know...What does our work mean to you?

"I'm concerned about our shrinking natural habitat, uncontrolled growth, clean water and our environment in general. I appreciate the work done by Upstate Forever and want to play a small part to help this organization continue its good work." – Nancy W., Spartanburg

"There is no other organization in the Upstate that works so efficiently to foster dialogue between different constituencies, and to balance development and conservation forces." - Drew and Sofia K., Greenville

"This organization has protected and defended everything I love about this place, creating a model for the whole country to follow." – Ellen K., Pickens

"Having lived in the upstate for over 31 years, we have observed the incredible growth the area has experienced. We need the locally focused work on conservation, sustainability, and smart growth that UF does so well." - Julia and William H., Greer

Click here to join Nancy, Drew, Sofia, Ellen, Julia, and William in supporting Upstate Forever, and email us and share your "why."

Clemson's sustainability efforts

Clemson Mayor Robert Halfacre and Urban and Park Land Management Director Tony Tidwell spoke with UF about how they’re putting sustainability at the forefront of the City of Clemson’s conservation efforts. Read the full Q&A on the UF blog to learn about exciting sustainability developments in the city’s parks and greenspaces.

Sowing Seeds of Success

Earlier this fall, Lauren Ulich joined partners from the University of Georgia and the Southeastern Grassland Institute to collect native grass seeds for seed banking with the Seeds of Success program. We invite you to learn more from Lauren about this program and its critical importance on our blog.

Protected property highlight

Bishop Branch Pastures in Anderson County — just a few miles from Clemson University — has been permanently protected this year by a conservation easement with UF. The 64-acre property is a pastureland oasis with wildlife habitat and water resources pivotal to conservation in this developing area.

Broad River Basin Council

Clean Water Director Erika Hollis serves as an environmental expert on the Broad River Basin Council, which is developing a plan to ensure industries and residents have continued access to water in the Basin over the next 50 years. Residents in the Basin can submit comments on the plan at [email protected].

Glenn Hilliard and the story of The Foothills Trail

Glenn Hilliard at Hilliard Falls on the Foothill Trail (Photo credit: Andrew Gleason)

On December 7th, Greenville's Camelot Cinemas hosted the premiere of the feature-length documentary The Foothills Trail Project. This project — pioneered by filmmaker Preston Bailey of Traveling Panda Media — showcases the scenic beauty along the trail and the community that surrounds and supports it.

The Foothills Trail is a 77-mile trail that travels through several of the Upstate’s pristine protected places, including Table Rock State Park, Sassafrass Mountain, the Jocassee Gorges, Hilliard Falls, the Chattooga River, and Oconee State Park. In Tricia Kyzer’s recent article, she describes the trail as “a balm for the weary soul and retreat from the busyness of life.”

Neither the film nor the trail would be possible without the hard work and dedication of Glenn Hilliard, a devoted environmentalist who serves on the Boards of Directors for UF and conservation partner Naturaland Trust and founded and pioneered the Foothills Trail. At the film's premiere, Glenn received a standing ovation for his contributions to the Foothills Trail — much deserved praise for the man who knows every detail about the trail and its history. Glenn worked for decades to bring this trail to fruition and the Upstate is grateful for the natural gem he helped establish.

The digital version of the film is forthcoming, so stay tuned! For now, you can view the trailer on YouTube.

More news, information & updates

Sign up for Legislative Updates

The South Carolina General Assembly is in session from January to May, and State Policy Director Megan Chase-Muller provides weekly Legislative Updates on conservation-related bills and critical action alerts via email. Sign up now to begin receiving our Legislative Updates when the session begins on January 9. Sign up here

IRA rollover contributions

If you are 70.5+ years old, then you qualify for the IRA charitable rollover gift. You may give any amount (up to $100,000 a year) directly to a qualified nonprofit without having to pay income taxes on the money. Click here to donate today

Staff and Board updates

• Laura Smith recently joined our team as Land Conservation Operations Coordinator. Check out Laura's bio here
• Get to know one of our newest board members — Phil Feisal — through a rapid-fire Q&A where he shares his love for the Upstate and conservation. Click here to meet Phil
• This month marks Land Policy Director Sherry Barrett's 13th anniversary as a member of the Upstate Forever team. Her advocacy work has been invaluable at UF for over a decade!
• It's a boy! And a girl! Information Systems Manager Alison Miller had a beautiful baby boy in November, and Clean Water and GIS Manager Katie Hottel welcomed a sweet baby girl just last week. Congratulations!

Are you signed up for our other email updates?

In addition to this monthly email newsletter on all things Upstate Forever, our team of expert program staff also share frequent updates on land and water conservation, advocacy, and balanced growth. Follow this link and join our other dedicated email lists