Advocacy - Key Issues | Upstate Forever

Request for Qualifications: Upstate Forever seeks consultant for water quality monitoring services. Apply by 5:00 p.m. ET on October 2, 2026. Learn more

Our Key Issues highlight the long-term policy priorities Upstate Forever champions to protect the Upstate’s natural resources and vibrant communities.

Landowners deserve clearer notice on eminent domain

We need legislation requiring public utilities to provide early standardized notification to landowners impacted by energy infrastructure projects involving eminent domain.

Unified Development Ordinances

As communities across the Upstate work to address growth, housing, mobility, open space, and tree preservation, many are updating their land use regulations through Unified Development Ordinances (UDOs).

Protecting riparian buffers

These waterside strips of land provide critical, outsized benefits to the health of our water supply and environment at large.

Missing Middle Housing

Support plans and policies that allow affordable-by-design housing types at a variety of price points in walkable, already urbanized areas.

Funding for conservation

Funding for conservation is the key to timely, meaningful land protection in the Upstate — now and for future generations.

Join our advocacy email lists

Our staff send timely updates on issues related to growth and natural resources — as well as time-sensitive action alerts when decision-makers need to hear from you! Please click the link below and select the advocacy topics you are interested in.

Key Issues

Landowners deserve clearer notice on eminent domain

Unified Development Ordinances

Protecting riparian buffers

Missing Middle Housing

Funding for conservation

864.250.0500

What We Do

Take Action

News

Error Message