About Upstate Forever

Mission: Upstate Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of Upstate South Carolina. 

Vision: An environmentally healthy, economically prosperous Upstate that offers a high quality of life now and for future generations.

Over the past two decades, we have worked to protect the natural assets that make the Upstate so special — our farmlands, forests, natural areas, rivers, and clean air. We are committed to ensuring that our communities are vibrant and retain their green spaces, outdoor heritage, and unique identities in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl.

Upstate Forever works with landowners, communities, and local stakeholders to balance growth with the protection of our natural resources. We focus our work on the ten counties of Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union.

Our primary goals are to:

• Protect land and water
• Foster a love of place
• Convey the importance of now
• Serve as a trusted community champion

History and successes

Founded in 1998 by Greenville attorney Brad Wyche, Upstate Forever now has offices in Greenville and Spartanburg and a staff of 21. We've spent the past 21 years forging relationships with business leaders and municipalities. Our reputation for common-sense solutions has earned us wide-spread respect across the Upstate region and beyond.

Upstate Forever's track record of success includes:

• Playing a key role in securing and opening of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which has revolutionized Greenville and Travelers Rest
• Preventing a coal ash landfill in Pickens County and a mega-landfill in Spartanburg County
• Mobilizing public opposition to stop Duke Energy’s proposed substation and transmission line across the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Protecting nearly 28,000 acres on 140 properties across the Upstate through voluntary land easement as the first nationally accredited land trust organization in South Carolina

More success stories

Message from the Founder

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Financial Reports

Photo: Ed Land