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Flora & Fauna

The Upstate is home to an incredible diversity of native plants and wildlife. Celebrate the species that make our region unique — and worth protecting.

Meet the Upstate's wild residents below.

Remembering Dennis Chastain

Remembering Dennis Chastain
November 24, 2025

A naturalist, historian, storyteller, and so much more, Dennis dedicated his life to discovering, documenting, and sharing the unique majesty of South Carolina’s mountains and foothills.

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Making a winter habitat

Making a winter habitat
November 11, 2025

One of the best ways to get children engaged with nature is to encourage them to nurture the creatures in their own backyard who especially need a little boost in the winter.

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Printable activity pages for little naturalists

Printable activity pages for little naturalists
November 7, 2025

Mail or email us your completed maze, coloring page, connect the dots, or word search to receive some custom UF stickers!

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Steal their look: Halloween costumes inspired by Upstate SC wildlife

Steal their look: Halloween costumes inspired by Upstate SC wildlife
October 17, 2025

Whether you’re looking for elegance, playfulness, or a bold statement, these looks turn local species into fun, wearable Halloween looks.

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This tiny, rare salamander calls the Chattooga area home

This tiny, rare salamander calls the Chattooga area home
June 7, 2025

At less than two inches long when fully mature, it is the smallest salamander in the United States.

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Ghost (firefly) hunting in the Upstate

Ghost (firefly) hunting in the Upstate
June 5, 2025

Photographer Bobby Bradley offers tips on how to catch a glimpse of the elusive blue ghost firefly.

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Vanishing landscapes

Vanishing landscapes
June 4, 2025

Heirlooms of prehistoric wilderness, three rare types of habitat in the Upstate are quickly disappearing — but efforts are underway to preserve them.

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Rare + Wonderful: Explore Upstate gems in the latest issue of the Upstate Advocate

Rare + Wonderful: Explore Upstate gems in the latest issue of the Upstate Advocate
Aldon Knight  |  June 2, 2025

Executive Director Aldon Knight introduces the latest edition of our print newsletter, in which we celebrate the rare and wonderful flora and fauna that call this region home.

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