Message From the Executive Director

. Reaching Out For Conservation

Articles

. Clarifying and Directing Upstate Forever's Work
. Reedy River Greenway:
From Vision To Reality
. Improving Water Quality Throughout the Upstate
. Expanded Tax Incentives
Will Boost Conservation Efforts
. Your Town Workshop A Huge Success!

Upstate Conservation

. Eight More Properties Protected
By Upstate Forever
. Townes on the South Saluda
. Mountain Bridge Passage
. Timber Creek Farm
. Ramsey Creek Preserve
. King-Masters Tract
. Forrester Tract
. Greenbrier Farms Tract
. Nalley Brown Nature Park

Upstate Forever News

. Trips, Events & News
. Upstate Forever's First
Golf Tourney
. 2006 Annual Meeting and Awards
. Upstate Forever Board News
. Staff & Intern News

Upstate Forever Annual Meeting

On November 4, over 100 Upstate Forever members, staff, and guests enjoyed a wonderful day at our 2006 Annual Meeting, held at the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center in northern Pickens County. Highlights included the unveiling of our new programmatic structure (see Clarifying and Directing Upstate Forever's Work) and reports of the year’s activities.

Board member Carlton Owen speaks to the crowd about Upstate House.

In addition to staff and board member presentations, several guest speakers highlighted success stories of the year. Landowner Bettina George described how she and her husband,

Citizen-activist Randy Conway reviews the successful fight to stop the Spartanburg County landfill.

Don, worked with Upstate Forever’s Land Trust Program to preserve their significant 94-acre property along Fall Creek in Oconee County. Don Shuman of the Greenville County Recreation

District provided an overview of the “Swamp Rabbit” rail-trail project, which is now under construction and will link downtown Greenville to Furman University and Travelers Rest. Upstate Forever Board member Carlton Owen described his family’s new residence, Upstate House, a demonstration project for green building that is open for scheduled tours by builders, designers, and interested citizens. Spartanburg County resident Randy Conway explained Upstate Forever’s key role in supporting citizens’ efforts to stop the proposed mega-landfill in his county. And lakefront property owner Ben Cassell told how education efforts by the Saluda-Reedy Watershed Consortium have made him aware and active in efforts to preserve water quality in and around Lake Greenwood.

An intrepid group of Upstate Forever members hikes along the Foothills Trail.

After a delicious lunch, generously provided by Whole Foods, attendees had a choice of three hikes along the Foothills Trail at the peak of the fall color season. Thanks to everyone who helped make 2006 such a successful year. We are looking forward to another great year in 2007!