Upstate Forever
Conservation Agreements

Fairview Farms

      Upstate Forever has received a conservation agreement protecting the magnificent Fairview Farms, a 1,265-acre tract along the Pacolet River in northern Spartanburg County. The property contains an old growth, self-replicating forest visited regularly by college science classes. There are several rare plants on the property, and significant stands of hardwoods are located along the river. From the tops of several hills are breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. South Carolina's wonderful "Mountains to Sea" trail will be constructed through the property along the Pacolet River. The agreement allows only twelve residences on the entire tract.

"Had the Fairview Farms been acquired by a developer, this corner of the Upstate would have seen the 1,200 acres of beautiful pastures,hardwoods and lakes covered with everything from strip malls to condos." Tryon Daily Bulletin, Nov. 29, 2000

The Fairview transaction is important not only because one of the special places in the Upstate has been protected, but also because it serves as a model for similar "conservation developments" throughout the region. In the rapidly growing Upstate, it is not realistic to expect most landowners to "lock up" their property and not allow any development. We need to seek "win-win" solutions where the landowner can realize some economic return on the property while at the same time protecting its important resources and features. Fairview Farms is an outstanding example of how this can be done.