Recently protected: More than 170 acres in Oconee County

We are thrilled to share that — in partnership with local private landowners and generous project funders — Upstate Forever has permanently protected two ecologically significant properties in Oconee County: Oconee Station Connector and Fall Creek Headwaters.

Totaling more than 170 acres, these newly conserved lands will help safeguard water quality, preserve wildlife habitat, and maintain the natural beauty of the Upstate for generations to come. Thanks to the generosity of the landowners and support from partners, these lands will remain undeveloped and ecologically vibrant forever.

Connecting protected lands near Oconee Station

The 64-acre Oconee Station Connector property lies just outside Walhalla and links a network of conserved lands including the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, Oconee Station State Historic Site, and another Upstate Forever conservation easement. Nearly entirely forested, it includes mature hardwood and pine stands and over 4,700 feet of streams flowing into Lake Keowee.

Project funders include the South Carolina Conservation Bank, Upstate Land Conservation Fund, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This project also received a reimbursement grant through South Carolina Department of Environmental Services 319 funding for Lake Keowee.

Safeguarding the headwaters of Fall Creek

Tucked in the Mountain Rest community, the 108-acre Fall Creek Headwaters property protects the source of Fall Creek, a tributary of the Chattooga River. This peaceful forested cove provides clean water and vital wildlife habitat, and landowners Jody Tinsley and April Childress have spent over two decades reuniting parcels of this special land to ensure its permanent protection.

Project funders include the Oconee County Conservation Bank, South Carolina Conservation Bank, Upstate Land Conservation Fund, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Permanent land protection is one of the most meaningful ways we can ensure a resilient, thriving future for our region. With nearly 40,000 acres conserved since our founding in 1998, Upstate Forever remains committed to partnering with local landowners to preserve the forests, farms, and waterways that define our natural heritage.

Do you own land you'd like to protect?

Our land trust helps landowners preserve their legacy through voluntary conservation easements. You continue to own the land, and you may realize significant tax benefits. Funding assistance may also be available.

For more information, contact us at landtrust@upstateforever.org.