Carfree commuting advice from a local expert
In celebration of National Bike to Work Day, Mary McGowan — aka "rebelwithoutacar" — answers your burning questions about carfree commuting.
Request for Proposals: Upstate Forever seeks consultant for GIS mapping and modeling services. Apply by 5:00 p.m. ET on November 6, 2026. Learn more
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.
In celebration of National Bike to Work Day, Mary McGowan — aka "rebelwithoutacar" — answers your burning questions about carfree commuting.
In this excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the Upstate Advocate, SCDNR Diversity Outreach Manager Alix Pedraza reflects on her journey towards a career involved in protecting natural places and why she is driven to expand access to outdoor recreation areas to underrepresented audiences.
In this excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Touch the Future Executive Director Sandy Hanebrink discusses her journey as a person with disabilities and advocates for expanded access to our region's treasured natural areas.
In this excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Mercedes "Mac" Curry — founder of PAWS Animal Wildlife Sanctuary in Laurens County — shares how she became interested in wildlife rehabilitation and what it means to be good stewards of the Earth.
In this excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Mable Owens Clarke tells the inspirational story of Soapstone Baptist Church in Pickens County and how she has worked to preserve its history.
In this excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Cancer Survivors Park Alliance Founder Diane Gluck reflects on how this impactful greenspace in Greenville came to be.
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.
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.