Recently protected properties

UF's nationally accredited land trust recently worked with landowners and partners to close on more than 2,100 additional acres of conservation easements across seven counties. 

The protected properties include mostly active agricultural land as well as forested and mixed landscapes that safeguard waterways, wildlife habitat, and rural character throughout the Upstate and beyond.

Echols Farm

Anderson County | 72 acres

Echols Farm includes open fields, a small timber stand, and mixed forests, helping preserve agricultural lands and natural habitats in an area facing development pressure. The property protects more than 2,500 linear feet of streams and approximately 15 acres of wetlands associated with Three and Twenty Creek, which flows into Lake Hartwell.

Project funders include a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 319 Grant through the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), the South Carolina Conservation Bank (SCCB), and the Upstate Land Conservation Fund (ULCF).

Big Garvin Creek Farm

Anderson County | 253 Acres

A family-owned cattle farm, this easement protects rolling pastureland, a 32-acre pond, and forested riparian buffers along Big Garvin Creek. The property safeguards farmland and water resources in the Three and Twenty Creek watershed while maintaining the long-term sustainability of a true Upstate family farm.

Project funders include an EPA Section 319 Grant through SCDES, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program, SCCB, and ULCF.

Stevenson Century Farm

Anderson/Oconee Counties | 132 acres

Straddling the Anderson-Oconee County line, this fourth-generation cattle and poultry farm contains approximately 75% prime farmland soils and over 4,000 feet of tributary streams feeding into Lake Hartwell. The tract is near three properties under conservation easement with Upstate Forever and helps conserve agricultural production, open fields, and riparian habitats.

Project funders include SCCB, the Oconee County Conservation Bank, and ULCF.

What is a conservation easement?

A conservation easement is a voluntary contract between a landowner and a qualified land trust like Upstate Forever. It allows the landowner to legally restrict certain undesirable land uses from occurring on their property. This agreement is permanent and remains with the land even after it has been sold or willed to heirs.

For more information about partnering with UF to place a conservation easement on your property, contact landtrust@upstateforever.org.

Moore Farm at Horsepen Creek

Greenville County | 110 acres

This rural property in rapidly growing Greenville County spans nearly 70 acres of prime farmland. It plays a significant role in buffering Horsepen Creek from nearby suburban development and stormwater runoff, preserving important riparian habitat. The conservation easement has short- and long-term impacts for water quality and native species preservation in Greenville County.

Project funders include the Greenville County Historic & Natural Resources Trust, SCCB, and ULCF.

Mountain Bridge Passage Amendment

Greenville County | 24 acres

An addition to a previously conserved property of 179 acres, this tract sits in the South Saluda River valley and fronts Scenic Highway 11. The property adjoins the state-owned Ashmore Heritage Preserve, home to several SC species of concern, including the federally listed Mountain Sweet Pitcher Plant. The entire property has been transferred to SC Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.

This project was a full donation from the previous landowner, conservation nonprofit Naturaland Trust.

RML Timber

Laurens County | 1,219 acres

This is Upstate Forever’s second largest conservation easement to date. RML Timber is a prime example of working lands in the Little River-Saluda River Watershed. Biodiversity thrives on the property, where timber is sustainably managed, allowing its forests, ponds, and shrublands to support native wildlife.

This project was supported by SCCB, Sustain SC, and ULCF.

Warrior Mountain Amendment 2

Laurens County | 57 acres

This project is an amendment adding more than 57 acres to an already protected 376-acre property, further preserving hardwood forests, a pond, riparian areas, and a rocky ridge habitat associated with a monadnock known as Little Knob (historically called Warrior Mountain).

The expanded conservation area ensures the protection of additional natural habitats and was a full donation by the landowner.

Duck Haven

Pickens County | 146 acres

A former peach orchard and cattle farm, Duck Haven features open fields, wetlands, and deciduous and evergreen forests along the Saluda River. This easement helps safeguard habitat for threatened and endangered species while maintaining the property’s agricultural and recreational character.

Project funders include Easley Combined Utilities, Pickens County Conservation Bank, SCCB, Sustain SC, ULCF, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Upstate Forever.

 "Shortly before we lost Mother to COVID in late 2021, I promised her I would find a way to keep our land together. Our conservation easement honors many generations of our family for their hard work and sacrifices. While Mother didn’t live to see the easement in her lifetime, her children have. Young, third cousins will never witness developers and heavy equipment move in. Wildlife will keep their homes.

It’s my home too. I love this place! It’s special the way it is, and with Upstate Forever’s help, it’s together, forever, and protected. I kept my promise. I’m sharing our story publicly to just maybe plant a seed: If I can do it, so can you."

– Alice Smith, Duck Haven landowner

Foster Fields

Spartanburg County | 85 acres

Foster Fields boasts areas of pasture, mixed hardwoods, and stream frontage along Black Branch, Whitestone Spring Branch, and unnamed tributaries that all flow into Fairforest Creek. The conservation easement preserves working farmland, wildlife habitat, and a pond for migratory waterfowl, while maintaining the property’s rural character amid growing development pressures near Croft State Park.

Project funding came from ULCF.

Long Lane Farm

Polk County | 73 acres

An equestrian farm in Polk County, NC, this property features rolling hills, managed pasture, hardwood forest, riparian areas, and scenic views of the Appalachian Mountains. Located just over the South Carolina state line and adjacent to another Upstate Forever conservation easement, the property protects more than 2,300 feet of Still Creek — a tributary of the North Pacolet River — while also providing habitat for federally protected species.

This easement was a full donation by the landowner.