Blog

Land Planning & Policy

We can't stop growth from happening across the Upstate, but we can help shape the policies that affect our daily lives. Smart land use policies and thoughtful planning can help create a more resilient, equitable, and vibrant future for the Upstate.

See what’s taking shape below.

Ask an Advocate: Grassroots advocacy in Greenville County

Ask an Advocate: Grassroots advocacy in Greenville County
November 10, 2025

In this advice column, Land Policy Grassroots Specialist Tre’Dessa Smalls illustrates some of Upstate Forever’s recent grassroots initiatives — and shares how you can get involved.

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Bryson Children's Nature Walk is a gift to the community

Bryson Children's Nature Walk is a gift to the community
November 6, 2025

Mayor James Atkinson of Six Mile, SC, shares how his town's planned park is a model of child-first conservation and an example of how local officials can help protect greenspace for their constituents.

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Citizens Planning Academy: Fall 2025 Presentations and Resources

Citizens Planning Academy: Fall 2025 Presentations and Resources
September 25, 2025

The 2025 Citizens Planning Academy cohort can find the presentations and resources from all six sessions here. We will update this page each week following the session.

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Record of Decision announced for Bramlett Road cleanup

Record of Decision announced for Bramlett Road cleanup
June 27, 2025

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services announced a cleanup protocol is planned for the heavily contaminated Bramlett Road site that sits on 35 acres in Greenville's Southernside community. Learn about how this site became contaminated with coal tar and plans for the site's remediation.

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Update: Travelers Rest rejects Inn at Altamont

Update: Travelers Rest rejects Inn at Altamont
Sherry Barrett  |  May 8, 2025

In a 4-1 final decision on the Inn at Altamont, the Travelers Rest (TR) Planning & Development Committee voted against advancing the developer's request to annex and rezone approximately 40-acres on Paris Mountain to accommodate the proposed 150-room hotel and event venue.

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Call to action: Protect Paris Mountain

Call to action: Protect Paris Mountain
April 10, 2025

Despite a massive outpouring of community opposition, developers have submitted an official request to the City of Travelers Rest to annex two parcels (approximately 40 acres) on Paris Mountain to build the Inn at Altamont — a 150-room hotel and event venue.

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City of Anderson draft comprehensive plan released

City of Anderson draft comprehensive plan released
Allie Martinsen  |  January 31, 2025

After soliciting public feedback and fine-tuning community priorities, the City of Anderson has released a draft of a new comprehensive plan.

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Conservation & advocacy wins of 2024

Conservation & advocacy wins of 2024
December 12, 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we're pausing to celebrate the many conservation and advocacy successes this year has brought. Here's a look at just a few highlights of our work this year — made possible by your generous support...

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