Message From the Executive Director
. The Real Problem with Planning in the Upstate

Articles
. The Fiscal Impact Of Sprawl In South Carolina

Land Trust
. Land Trust News
. Save Stumphouse Mountain!
. Upstate Forever Chosen for Pilot Accreditation Program
. Are You a Conservation Buyer?
. Land Trust Outreach Campaign
. The Potential Tax Benefits of Conservation Agreements

. Three More Properties
Protected By Upstate Forever
. Waterloo Site
. Wilson & Cleveland Farms

Sustainable Communities
. Sustainable Communities News
. Greenville to Regulate Big Boxes
. Imagine Anderson: A Vision for Anderson County
. Building Our Future

Clean Air & Water
. Clean Air & Water News
. Climate Change & the End of Oil
. Tackling the Sources of
Stormwater Problems
. 2007 Low Impact Development Breakfast Series

Upstate Forever News
. Capital Campaign a Success!
. Staff News
. Upstate Forever Board News
. Interns, Volunteers,
& Members News
. Trips & Events

Upstate Forever Staff News

Angela Viney Named Conservationist of the Year

Angela Viney (l) receives her award from Kathy Stephens, Immediate Past SCWF Board Chair.

At its annual meeting on January 20, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) presented its prestigious Conservationist of the Year Award to Angela Viney, Director of Upstate Forever’s Sustainable Communities Program and Spartanburg Office Director. Angela formerly served as Executive Director of the SCWF. This is a well-deserved honor for one of the most respected and effective conservation leaders in our state. How fortunate we are to have her on the Upstate Forever team!

Upstate Forever Executive Director Brad Wyche was recently appointed by Governor Sanford to the South Carolina Climate Change, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee. Former Board Chairman Carlton Owen was named to the Agriculture and Forestry Technical Working Group.

Former Upstate Forever staff member Diane Eldridge has been elected Chair of the Greenville County Planning Commission. Congratulations, Diane!

We have welcomed three new babies to the Upstate Forever family in recent months. Conservation Stewardship Director Erin Knight (pictured with husband David, left) gave birth to Luke Jordan Knight on January 22.

Spartanburg Office Administrative Assistant Tonya Ward welcomed Donovan Isley Ward (pictured with siblings Laila and Elijah) on February 9.

And our website consultant (and former Membership and Communications Coordinator) Jenni Vance (pictured with husband Ron Granieri) became the parent of Brendan James “Vance” Granieri on March 17.

Congratulations to all!

Heather Bergerud Joins Staff

Heather Bergerud has joined the Upstate Forever staff as Stormwater Specialist for our Clean Air and Water Program. Heather received her BS in Biology from Winthrop University in 1996. Having grown up in Greenville, she set out to experience other places. First, she conducted field research for the National Marine Fishery Services (NMFS) onboard commercial fishing vessels in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Next, she worked at Glacier National Park in Whitefish, Montana, where she spent her free time hiking, cross country skiing, and snowboarding. Heather returned to Greenville in 2001 and began working for an environmental consulting firm, where she was trained in wetland and stream-bank delineation and became a Certified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Inspector. In addition, Heather assisted with the implementation of Greenville County’s Phase I Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit. As the head of the Industrial Facility program, she educated industrial facilities throughout the county on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program and conducted site visits to ensure facilities’ compliance with applicable permits.

Heather will be working with developers, regulators and the public to encourage improved stormwater runoff treatment throughout the Upstate. She is thrilled to be able to use her technical knowledge and background to help further positive changes in the Upstate. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading and traveling, but right now she’s focused on completing house renovations and planning her upcoming wedding.