Read the latest issue of the Upstate Advocate

We are proud to share with you the latest issue of the Upstate Advocate, our twice-yearly print publication.

Below, read the letter from Executive Director Aldon Knight introducing this issue, which illuminates the critical connection between technology tools and our conservation efforts, in addition to sharing the latest news and information about Upstate Forever's work.

Click here to read a digital copy of the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 issue of the Upstate Advocate

Today's tech helps shape tomorrow's landscapes.

Our conservation work is a fascinating combination of past, present, and future. We frequently meet with people who own land that's been in their families for decades — sometimes over a century. Many of them are drawn to conservation easements because they want to preserve their property's historic beauty and intact ecosystems from development.

But amid the mature forests, primeval geography, and agricultural fixtures from a bygone era, there's a place for something new: technology like drones, mapping software, and web-based platforms customized for land trusts.

The Upstate Forever team uses tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Landscape to expedite and enhance our work, making the most of our small staff's capacity and helping us steward vast swaths of land in a fraction of the time it used to take.

Technology also helps us take a more strategic, data-driven approach to land and water protection. This provides us with critical focus and clarity on how to prioritize our efforts — time is not on our side to preserve nature in the rapidly growing Upstate.

While they'll never replace "boots on the ground" or staff knowhow, these modern assets give us an edge when it comes to conservation. In this issue of the Upstate Advocate, we explore some of the tools and technology our team uses on a daily basis, and how they contribute to our success.

But our biggest asset when it comes to protecting land and water? Supporters like you. We could not do any of this important work without our donors and partners. Thank you for making our success possible, and helping Upstate Forever as we work to ensure a healthy, beautiful region for generations to come.

Aldon Knight, Executive Director

Click here to read a digital copy of the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 issue of the Upstate Advocate