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Blog

Our Community

Conservation is about people as much as place. Meet the landowners, advocates, volunteers, and partners working to protect what makes the Upstate special.

Discover the people behind the progress below.

Driven to Lead: Ruth Littlejohn

Driven to Lead: Ruth Littlejohn
May 11, 2022

In this excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Spartanburg City Councilwoman Ruth Littlejohn shares her memories of growing up in Spartanburg, how she has watched the Southside community change over the decades, and why it's important to work together to make the City of Spartanburg remain vibrant and equitable in the decades to come.

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Thank you, Fairway Subaru!

Thank you, Fairway Subaru!
April 7, 2022

We were honored to be selected as the local nonprofit beneficiary of the Fairway Subaru Share the Love Event last year — but we were even more blown away this week when they shared the results of that holiday season campaign with us.

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Mable Owens Clarke is preserving Black history in Pickens County

Mable Owens Clarke is preserving Black history in Pickens County
February 18, 2022

The sixth-generation steward and matriarch of Soapstone Baptist Church, Mable Owens Clarke has spent decades protecting and preserving the history, beauty, and legacy of the historic church, schoolhouse, cemetery, and grounds.

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Progress Toward Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals

Progress Toward Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals
January 20, 2022

A status update regarding Upstate Forever's goals for diversity, equity and inclusion set forth in 2020.

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Honoring the Cherokee tradition of land stewardship

Honoring the Cherokee tradition of land stewardship
November 1, 2021

A reverent and symbiotic relationship with nature was historically — and continues to be today — a cornerstone of Native American cultures, including the Cherokee. This Native American Heritage Month, we honor the Cherokee tradition of land stewardship and those that continue to protect, conserve, and enhance the natural resources.

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Wofford researchers analyze equitable access to greenspace in Spartanburg

Wofford researchers analyze equitable access to greenspace in Spartanburg
October 14, 2021

Wofford College professors, student fellows, and community context experts recently set out to evaluate the quality of and access to greenspaces within various Spartanburg communities, with a particular focus on the prevalence of high quality parks in areas with higher concentrations of Hispanic and BIPOC residents.

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The road not taken… Delayed three years!

The road not taken… Delayed three years!
July 28, 2021

Former board member Emelyn Jones shares her experience hiking to one of the most elusive and remote falls in the Carolinas.

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Composting 101 with Sustaining Way

Composting 101 with Sustaining Way
May 28, 2021

In celebration of National Compost Day on May 29, Sustaining Way's Sustainability Coordinator Danielle Parks breaks down what you need to know to start your own backyard compost.

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