The Public Outcry For Protection Of the Clemson Forest

     One of the priceless natural assets of the Upstate is the Clemson Experimental Forest, a 17,000-acre area of stunning beauty and rich biodiversity.

It was not always this way. In 1933, the land was an eroding, denuded mess – the consequences of years of abusive agricultural practices. The restoration of the Forest began that year when George Aull, a visionary Clemson College administrator, submitted a proposal to the federal government to purchase the land and create a major conservation project. The land was eventually deeded to Clemson in 1954, and under the University’s careful management since then, the experiment worked – the wounds have healed and the Forest has been restored. Except for the Sumter National Forest, it is now the single largest undeveloped tract left in the Piedmont.

It has been an integral part of the University ever since – a place for research and learning by faculty and students. The public, too, has
had access to the Forest, thanks to Clemson’s “open door” policy.

Regrettably, some view the Forest not as a resource to be protected, but as “vacant land” to be developed – a convenient source of cash to help the University deal with its budget problems. That view led to a study by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the identification of several tracts to be sold off. The ULI study ignited a firestorm of protest from faculty, students and the public. Phone calls, emails and letters poured in. A citizens group, Friends of the Clemson Experimental Forest, quickly organized (http://www.friendsofthecef.org/). The media coverage was intense.

Clemson University President Jim Barker called a “Town Meeting” at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts on January 27 to discuss the issues. It was standing room only, with more than 1,000 people in attendance. Upstate Forever was well represented. Board Member Kris Yon and member Pam Rowland were at the front door welcoming folks and offering them large green “Save the Forest” stickers. Board member Wes Cooler, Land Trust Director Dana Leavitt, and intern Stephanie Wagner were also there.

Six Mile Creek is one of the many important natural resources of the Clemson Forest.

At the appointed hour, Clemson President Jim Barker took center stage wearing one of the “Save the Forest” stickers – a hopeful sign indeed. The highlight of the first half hour was his review, word for word, of a Faculty Senate committee’s recommended Guiding Principles for the Forest (http://www.friendsofthecef.org/informative_documents.htm). This eight point proposal recognizes the value of the Forest, clearly states that any uses of the Forest must be consistent with applicable law, and recommends a comprehensive review which would lead to a long term Forest use plan.

President Barker then answered the BIG QUESTION: He said there is no plan to sell off any part of the Clemson Forest. He also acknowledged that doing so would not be an effective way to address Clemson’s budgetary problems. In the ensuing two hours, many spoke of the priceless nature of the Forest and of the need to preserve it for the public good. We were so encouraged to see a crowd of this size at an Upstate meeting speaking passionately in favor of conservation!

At the meeting, Wes stated Upstate Forever’s position that we oppose any actions which would change the status of currently protected land in the Upstate – a position consistent with our stated principles and values – and offered our services and support as the University adopts and enacts the guiding principles for the Forest. Specifically, we would be honored to work with Clemson in protecting some or all of the Forest through conservation easements.

Clemson has adopted the exciting goal of becoming a Top 20 public university in the near future. One good way to achieve that goal is to protect and preserve the Clemson Forest. After all, how many other universities can boast of such a resource?

Thanks to Upstate Forever Board Member Wes Cooler for contributing to this article.

photos courtesy of John Garton