From forest trails and mountain views to rare wildflowers and healthy habitats, the landscapes we protect together are worth every bit of devotion. To share the love, we reimagined a few favorite pop culture romances with a conservation twist — because when it comes to caring for the land and water that sustain our communities, it’s a love story that lasts forever.

Nobody puts Baby in a corner.

Healthy forests and protected lands give birds the space they need to nest, migrate, and, yes, do their version of dirty dancing.

I hate the way you smother forests.
I hate the way you swallow trees.
I hate how fast you grow…

Invasive species like kudzu can take over habitats and crowd out the native plants and wildlife that belong here. This Valentine’s Day, show some tough love — and support healthy native ecosystems across the Upstate.

Emily fell in love… with the view from Paris Mountain.

Iconic places like this remind us why protecting land close to home matters. From scenic vistas to quiet forests, conserved spaces make the Upstate a place worth falling for again and again.

Some love stories are rare… like the Pink Lady’s Slipper.

This native flower may look delicate, but protecting the habitats it depends on takes serious commitment. This Valentine’s Day, show some love for the special places that help rare species thrive across the Upstate — because nothing says romance like protecting something beautiful for generations to come.

Some love stories stand the test of time… and cold mountain streams.

Healthy rivers and protected headwaters help native trout — and entire ecosystems — thrive for generations. This Valentine’s Day, fall for the places where clean water and love for conservation run deep.

From peaceful forest paths to protected foothill views, conserved lands across the Upstate give us all space to explore, breathe, and fall in love with the outdoors.

This Valentine’s Day, take a walk or ride somewhere worth protecting.

Some rivalries are fierce… but this Valentine’s Day we’re rooting for love of wildlife to win.

Whether they chirp, tweet, or sing at sunrise, birds depend on protected habitats and clean water to thrive. Help keep the Upstate a place where every species has room to soar.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the achievements we’re most proud of — organized by program area so you can easily explore where your support has made a difference.

Can you help us carry this momentum into 2026? Give now to support our conservation and advocacy work in the New Year

Support our work

Land Conservation: Protecting Special Places for Future Generations

So far in 2025, our Land Conservation team has worked with private and public landowners to permanently protect more than 2,000 acres across the Upstate through conservation easements — and helped protect an additional 2,548 acres through partnerships with fellow conservation organizations.

Our Land Trust also attained its fourth national accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. This is a rigorous verification that our land trust meets the highest national standards of excellence and long-term stewardship.

Stewardship & Land Management: Restoring Lands We Protect

Conserving land is only the first step. Caring for it is a commitment that lasts forever.

To date, 368 acres have been managed or restored in partnership with dedicated landowners through application of prescribed fire and invasive plant removal, including:

• 168 acres of forest
• 150 acres of grassland
• And 31 acres of riparian buffer

Volunteers played an essential role as well, joining us for five workdays that resulted in thousands of native wildflowers, grasses, and trees planted and the removal of invasive species that threaten natural ecosystems. Stay tuned for information about 2026 volunteer workdays coming soon!

Clean Water: Safeguarding the Upstate’s Essential Resource

2025 was a watershed year (literally) for our Clean Water work.

UF staff have remained engaged in SC's water planning through the WaterSC working group. Throughout this process, UF’s Executive Director Aldon Knight, founder Brad Wyche, and Bill Stangler of Congaree Riverkeeper have been representing the Upstate's conservation community alongside stakeholders from public water supply, energy, industry, agriculture/forest, and tourism and hospitality.

We were invited by the US EPA to present at the national Land Trust Alliance Rally in Cleveland, Ohio in September. Clean Water & GIS Manager Katie Hottel and Clean Water Specialist Rebecca Wade shared how we integrate watershed planning with land protection to safeguard drinking water sources — a proud moment that placed our team’s work on a national stage!

We wrapped up a four-year Section 319 grant in the Tyger River watersheds, which supported 60 septic repairs or replacements, 2 agricultural improvement projects, and 140+ acres of forest protected. The result? Dramatic pollutant load reductions: 3.4 trillion fewer bacteria, 24 tons less sediment, 2,134 fewer pounds of nitrogen, and 800 fewer pounds of phosphorus entering waterways annually.

Along with other stakeholders, we celebrated the completion of the Upper Savannah and Saluda River Basin Plans, a two-year, collaborative effort to forecast water needs and strategies for the next 50 years. Now, we’re proud to announce that we have been awarded funds from SCDES to create a watershed-based plan (WBP) for the Tugaloo River and Choestoea Creek watersheds in Oconee County. What is a watershed-based plan?

And finally, our Clean Water team secured nearly $750,000 in new grant funding to support water planning in Oconee County and water quality improvements for landowners in Anderson and Pickens Counties.

As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Upstate Forever relies on generous contributions from people like you in order to continue this important work. Please consider making a gift by December 31, 2025 to support our work.

Give now

Land Planning & Policy: Advocacy That Shapes the Future

Thoughtful land use planning and smart policy are essential ingredients for a resilient Upstate.

This year, our Clean Water and Land Planning & Policy teams helped secure another major win: adoption of a 50-foot riparian buffer ordinance in Anderson County, protecting recognized “Waters of the State” from impacts of new development.

We also joined with partners and local residents to oppose the proposed Inn at Altamont at the base of Paris Mountain — an environmentally risky luxury hotel that would have bypassed critical zoning protections. Both the Travelers Rest Planning Commission and City Council ultimately rejected the annexation and rezoning requests, an outcome made possible by community voices and coordinated advocacy.

Our team also provided training and education throughout the region, including:

• 4 advocacy training events with more than 100 participants, and
• 21 new Citizens Planning Academy graduates, bringing the total to more than 200 Greenville County residents trained since 2019.

Energy: Empowering Communities in a Changing Landscape

The energy landscape in South Carolina is evolving quickly and this year, community engagement became more important than ever.

Following Duke Energy’s announcement of a proposed 1,400 MW natural gas plant in Anderson County, we strengthened outreach in collaboration with Conservation Voters of South Carolina and the SC Sierra Club. Listening sessions, community meetings, and webinars are helping residents understand the possible impacts and how to voice their concerns.

At the state level, we continued pressing for affordable and equitable utility programs at the SC Public Service Commission.

State Policy: Keeping You Informed and Represented at the State House

From January through May, we kept supporters updated on the SC Legislative Session with regular briefings and accessible analysis on bills affecting land, water, and energy through our State Policy work. Sign up for our Legislative Updates to receive email updates regarding legislative actions that affect the Upstate’s natural resources!

This year also brought significant progress on the SC Energy Security Act, which — thanks to collaborative advocacy — was improved to maintain transparency and safeguards for clean energy as South Carolina grows.

As Co-chair of the SC Conservation Coalition, we helped organize the annual Senate Briefing and guided teams of advocates during Conservation Lobby Day, ensuring the Upstate’s voice was heard loud and clear.

Other Major Milestones Worth Celebrating

After years of coordinated efforts and hard work, the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy has officially purchased the rail corridor that will become the Saluda Grade Trail. We're grateful to the SC legislature, SC Conservation Bank, and Upstate Land Conservation Fund for helping fund that success. As the design and construction phase begins, Upstate Forever is no longer an official member of the Conservancy, but we remain tremendously excited about the trail, and supportive of our friends at PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. and Conserving Carolina!

After many months of collaboration with ALINE, A Marketing Company, we launched the new and improved upstateforever.org — designed to make it easier than ever to explore successes, get updates, and dive into our work.

And last but certainly not least: we closed our Generations Campaign $1.7 million above goal, raising an extraordinary $8.7 million for conservation and advocacy across the Upstate. This campaign will fuel our team’s work for years to come.

Looking Ahead

As we enter a new year, we’re excited to build on this momentum, tackle new challenges, and continue protecting Upstate SC’s critical lands, waters, and unique character.

Thank you for being part of this work. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

A naturalist, historian, storyteller, and so much more, Dennis dedicated his life to discovering, documenting, and sharing the unique majesty of South Carolina’s mountains and foothills. Through his work, he helped reveal the extraordinary character of this region — from rare wildflowers and ancient Native American trails to prehistoric rock carvings long hidden from view.

The legacy of Dennis Chastain endures in the landscapes he interpreted, the stories he brought forward, and the countless people he inspired to explore and care for this place. May his example continue to encourage curiosity, stewardship, and a deeper appreciation for the places we call home.

Remembering Dennis Chastain

Upstate Forever was honored to recognize Dennis’s lifetime of contributions with the Extraordinary Achievement Award at the 2019 ForeverGreen Awards. Those who wish to revisit that moment, or learn more about his impact, can watch his award video here: 

Dennis was also a prolific writer, contributing to publications including the South Carolina Wildlife Magazine and Greenville Journal. We were honored to publish several of his essays in our print newsletter, the Upstate Advocate:

Our remarkable region

In this essay from the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Dennis Chastain shared why we should explore, celebrate, and preserve the Upstate's natural splendor and deep cultural history. Read more

Every last acre on earth

For those of us who cherish the charming rural landscape, and the woods and wild places, our world has once again shrunk before our very eyes. In this essay from the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Dennis asked, "Are we just going to develop every last acre on earth?" Read more

What sparked your interest in working with Upstate Forever?

I’ve worked with the team at Upstate Forever across different opportunities since the early 2000s, including, for example, conservation easements. My interest in serving on the board now is sparked by my belief that businesses and nonprofits can work together to benefit local communities.

What do you love most about the Upstate?

I love that it is my home. My kids went to the same high school as their grandmother and great grandmother. I love the trails, mountain views, glistening lakes, blooming flowers, how green it is, the sound of people enjoying the outdoors, and most importantly, the loving community.

Where’s your ”happy place”?

I have many happy places. One is Cancer Survivor’s Park as it is an outdoor healing space that allows me to connect with the overwhelming gratitude that I feel for my daughter and all that helped her with leukemia. Our family gave a bench near the river, and I enjoy visiting the space and re-connecting with all that matters most to me.

How do your background, experience, and/or interests align with Upstate Forever’s work?

I’m proud of “home” and the Upstate is my home. I was born in the Upstate and returned nearly 25 years ago to be close with my family, and the loving and beautiful characteristics of the Upstate. I remain in awe of the natural beauty here and the incredibly kind and thoughtful people. It’s a privilege to contribute to an Upstate that we want to thrive forever.

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you?

The Upstate will be better for our families, our neighbors, and our friends if we take care of the natural resources and environment. It’s important to me that we protect and develop communities that benefit families.

More about Maurie

Maurie Lawrence serves as Vice President of Sustainability and Associate General Counsel at Milliken & Company. In her role, Maurie works with global teams to enable sustainability to accelerate Milliken’s business strategy. Maurie has served on the boards of the Greenville Housing Fund, Public Education Partners, Clement's Kindness, Piedmont Health Foundation, and is a current member of the Liberty Fellowship's Class of 2025. A Greenville native, Maurie attended Smith College and Georgetown University Law Center.

Food, water, and shelter are basic needs for every species. Think about who you see around your home every spring and summer — many of those friends don’t leave in the winter. For them, everything gets more difficult in the cold, so help is much appreciated!

Don't have a backyard? We've also included some mini-habitat ideas for porches, window boxes, and balconies.

In and around your yard

Keep your birdhouses up

Clean out leftover nests, consider sealing the top vents with weatherstripping to trap heat (keep the entry hole clear), and make sure it’s out of reach from predators. Eastern bluebird, Carolina wren, tufted titmouse, and Carolina chickadee are all known to roost in winter.

Leave the leaves

You’ve heard this one before. The leaves are enormously beneficial to nearly everyone in your yard. Frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, and insects will especially thank you for this crucial insulator. Beloved lightning bugs live 95% of their life under the leaves before they sparkle at night. When you toss those leaves, they go with them!

Create a brush pile

If fall prunings aren’t diseased, then pile them up in a corner of your yard. Add some branches, grasses, stones, and even broken pots to make more nooks and crannies. Elevate the pile with larger logs — try a log cabin design! Use evergreen branches or your Christmas tree to keep the interior dry. Small mammals, foraging birds, amphibians, reptiles, spiders,
and insects will forage or hunker down here.

Don’t cut those seed heads

Native flowers like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, goldenrods, asters, Joe-Pye weed, and mountain mints all form attractive seed heads in the fall and winter. Birds rely on these as a food source, and standing seed stalks can provide shelter for beneficial insect larvae, including bees.

Make a watering area

Shallow dishes work best for most creatures. While a bird bath is great for feathered friends, don’t forget those who can’t reach that high. Terracotta dishes, ceramic bowls, or heavy-duty plastic saucers all work. Test out an inexpensive solar fountain to prevent freezing.

Plant native species

To create a thriving habitat all year long, ensure you are planting native flowers, shrubs, and trees to support our local wildlife.

Mini-habitats for smaller spaces

Embrace window boxes

Choose cold tolerant vegetables, mini evergreens, or flowers for a pop of color; insects will find themselves at home here and birds will forage. Make stick forests in your window box, fill them with leaves, dry grasses, pinecones, and other natural items you find in fall. Or make a mini-insect-castle out of upside-down flowerpots set atop your dirt-filled window box. Toss in a little birdseed to draw feathered friends.

Try container gardening

Bring the wildflowers to the porch! Keep the seed heads and watch the birds and insects forage and find shelter. Flip smaller pots over or on their sides and place them on top of the dirt in larger pots, and fill them with leaves for insect, reptile, and amphibian insulation.

Install bee hotels

These are best positioned 3-6 feet off the ground in a sunny, south-facing spot. Hang on a wall, from a hook, or attach to a porch rail. Make sure it will stay dry throughout the winter. It’s best to make one type of bee hotel per species instead of trying to attract many different species to a single habitat. Drill some holes in a block of wood or bundle even pieces of plant stem together in a small pot or jar positioned horizontally. Our local, solitary Mason and Leafcutter bees will love their winter stay!

Do you have a backyard habitat you'd like to share? We'd love to see it! Email a pic to Communications Coordinator Elizabeth Swails at eswails@upstateforever.org.

I’ve been following Upstate Forever’s work for a while now, and I am looking for ways to advocate for smart land use in my neighborhood. Do you do any grassroots work in my area?

Sincerely,
Neighborly in Nicholtown

Dear Neighborly,

Yes! As Greenville grows, we are actively monitoring land use in many neighborhoods and advocating for smart growth. I joined the UF team in 2024 as the Land Policy Grassroots Specialist, and I lead our grassroots advocacy efforts in underserved and underrepresented communities. Here are some training events and initiatives we've worked on recently.

Recent grassroots advocacy & outreach efforts

Advocacy Trainings — In addition to the annual Citizens Planning Academy, UF has hosted several events aimed at equipping citizens to better participate in local land planning and policy processes. Recent trainings have included "Stewardship of the Land: A Faith Based Advocacy Event"; "A Look into Advocacy"; "Asset Mapping in District 25"; "Persuading Through Story"; and "Building Bridges Across the Political Divide." We've also hosted several Advocacy Happy Hours.

Greenville County Council District 25 — I am meeting residents, understanding community desires, and identifying the best path forward to create positive change together.

A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School ECO Kids Garden Club — I am engaging students in this after-school program about the importance of preserving open space and the environmental benefits of trees. As part of this outreach, students wrote letters to Greenville County Council sharing why open space is important to them, and created paper trees with each leaf recalling a reason to be thankful for trees.

LiveWell Greenville Safe Routes to School — UF plays a supporting role, along with other community partners, in this ongoing project to complete walk audits in the vicinity of Wade Hampton High and schools along the White Horse Road Corridor, evaluate student walking routes for safety issues, and identify funding sources to address walking safety.

Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood — I first engaged to support the neighborhood during the 2024 City of Greenville-led Haynie-Sirrine Master Plan Update. I attended meetings, met with neighborhood leaders, and distributed flyers door-to-door to help raise awareness and encourage residents’ participation. I continue to support the neighborhood on Master Plan implementation.

How to get involved

As you can see, some of my community outreach targets specific areas, while other opportunities are open to all. There is much to be done across Greenville, and I hope to meet you at a future event! The best way to stay informed about upcoming events is to join our Land Planning & Policy e-lists at upstateforever.org/email and follow along on social media.

Tre'Dessa Smalls is the Land Policy Grassroots Specialist for Upstate Forever. You can email her at tsmalls@upstateforever.org. 

Upstate Forever
Attn. Comms Team
507 Pettigru St
Greenville, SC 29601

Click here to download PDF

Click here to download PDF

The gift of land is a gift that keeps on giving. When lifelong Six Mile resident Conrad Ardell Bryson passed away in 2003, the bulk of his estate included a 63-acre tract of undeveloped land. This site directly adjoins Six Mile Elementary School and contains significant, irreplaceable greenspace bordering SC Highway 137 with a view of Six Mile Mountain, a scenic pond, and wetlands area.

When the Bryson Estate donated the property to the Town of Six Mile, plans began to conserve the acreage with Upstate Forever and to transform it into Bryson Children’s Nature Walk. You could put a dollar figure on the Bryson tract donation based on what it would be worth if it had been sold for development.

But, to quote local author and naturalist Dennis Chastain,

“How can you put a price on the precious experience of a child on hands and knees, absolutely fascinated as a Monarch butterfly drifts from flower-to-flower sipping nectar from bright cheery flowering plants?

How can you put a dollar value on a place where those interested in ‘getting healthy’ have a safe, dedicated path to walk in natural surroundings at their own pace; perhaps spotting a whitetail deer munching acorns, or a raccoon in a stream washing its hands after having had a crawfish lunch?”

The truth is Ardell Bryson’s legacy gift of undeveloped land is priceless — a gift that will keep on giving for generations to come. Plans for the site include 1.5 miles of walking trails, a boardwalk and overlook at the pond area, a garden area for children’s on-site experience with garden vegetables, and a Children’s Outdoor Learning Center. Grant and fundraising efforts will make completing these plans a reality.

How Local Policy Can Secure Greenspace for Future Generations

Our local land planning and elected officials also play a large role in this plan. South Carolina’s Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act provides cities and towns with authority to undertake planning and adopt zoning and land use regulations as tools to guide their communities’ development.

The Bryson site ties directly to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan goals of promoting greenspace in a time of unprecedented development and elimination of greenspace. Greenspace — once lost — can never be regained, a fact that should be stressed by local government to ensure greenspace-related initiatives are included in the city or town zoning ordinance.

An Open Space Conservation rezoning for the Bryson Children’s Nature Walk site will be established in the Town of Six Mile, setting a precedent for similar rezoning at other sites meeting certain Conservation Easement or Forestry Management Plan criteria.

Our project has already won a statewide achievement award from the Municipal Association of South Carolina in 2024. Thanks to projects like the Bryson Children's Nature Walk, children now and in future generations will have greater learning experiences in outdoor settings, and the property itself will remain intact — with preserved wetlands and greenspace road frontage — in perpetuity.

Are you an elected official interested in initiating a project like Bryson Children’s Nature Walk? Follow these steps to get started on planning a conservation project in your area:

STEP 1: Is the property a designated Open Space Conservation District?

An Open Space Conservation District (OSC) is a zoning designation that protects open, undeveloped land to preserve sensitive natural, scenic, agricultural, and historic areas and a city or town’s rural community character. This kind of district is established voluntarily by a public or private property owner who places a conservation easement on the property. The owner will often work with the community’s comprehensive plan, which may include uses for passive recreation, public parks, trails, wildlife habitat, and more.

STEP 2: What’s in your community’s comprehensive plan?

South Carolina’s Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act provides cities and towns with authority to undertake planning and adopt zoning and land use regulations as tools to guide their communities’ development.

The local planning commission is responsible for developing a comprehensive plan, specifically addressing ten planning elements, such as natural resources and land use. It is very important for local government to emphasize greenspace requirements in their comprehensive plan so that zoning ordinances reflect the community’s desire for spaces like Bryson Children’s Nature Walk.

These Comprehensive Plan Greenspace related requirements should be stressed by local government to ensure folding into greenspace related initiatives (e.g., Open Space Conservation District) in the city or town zoning ordinance.

STEP 3: Meeting between stakeholders and Land Trust Organizations

After establishing an Open Space Conservation District within a city or town’s comprehensive plan, start the dialogue among stakeholders, your local land trust like Upstate Forever, and local political leaders to find common ground about the property’s conservation values, which might include the following:

• Woodland, meadow, wetland, watercourse, wildlife sanctuary, agricultural use, or similar conservation-oriented or natural area.
• Passive recreation area, including parkland, pedestrian or equestrian trails, or community gardens.
• Pastureland, open field, or lawn.

Step 4: Local leaders demonstrate commitment

A demonstrated commitment to green space is essential.  This commitment flows from the Comprehensive Plan to the Zoning Ordinance to city or town council.  On Six Mile Town Council, duties of one of our members is specifically denoted as “Greenspace.”

Contiguous areas of conserved land need to be promoted both for passive recreation (trails) and to protect our watershed and wildlife habitats.

In most of our cities and towns, we are in areas of rapid growth, and we have very few undeveloped areas remaining. As local and public elected officials we should try to work diligently to form relationships with interested landowners who see their land as more than just a financial investment.  The willing landowner is the one essential ingredient that we must have for success, because purchasing land at market value is just out of the question.

As public officials, in conjunction with land trust organizations like Upstate Forever, we need to try to appeal to people’s desire to leave a legacy for future generations.  In some states, laws allow large landowners to have their open land assessed at a much lower value.  If they decide to change their minds and sell out to a developer, that developer pays a special, one-time tax which goes into a fund to permanently conserve other land in town.  

Local officials and mayors, follow these steps to help do you part to promote greenspace in your community.

A class schedule that includes English and geometry might also feature courses in forestry, crop production, equine science, or outdoor recreation. Extracurriculars cover similarly ranging interests — Future Farmers of America (FFA), National Beta Club, and student council, as well as Club APIs for beekeepers and Field Trial Team for students passionate about working and hunting with dogs.

If this sounds like a unique high school experience, that's because it is. JDLH is the only residential public high school in the United States devoted to agriculture.

Established in 1797, JDLH is the oldest educational institution in SC below the college level. In the 1980s, the mission was changed to serve children who struggled in a traditional school environment, offering an alternative haven for them to grow and succeed. In 2019, however, the campus entered a new era as a Governor’s School, joining the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville and the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville.

“We’re working extremely hard to make the SC taxpayers proud of this school, and also to raise awareness of just how important agriculture is to every facet of life," said Gregory Thompson, Principal of JDLH.

Faculty, staff, and students at JDLH recently welcomed members of Upstate Forever’s team to the school’s campus to learn more about its past, present, and future.

We were also joined on our tour by South Carolina Representative Patrick Haddon (Greenville, District 19). Representative Haddon — who has served as a champion for the school and mentor for its students — affectionately referred to the campus as his favorite place in South Carolina. “Well, the second favorite behind my own farm,” he added.

“Agricultural education is the backbone of South Carolina’s future," said Rep. Haddon. "When students at the Governor’s School for Agriculture learn to work the land, lead with purpose, and use new technology to solve real problems, they’re doing more than preparing for a career — they’re helping secure the future of farming and the strength of our state.”

On our visit our team got to tour the newly renovated de la Howe Hall, which honors the building’s rich history by repurposing original materials like brick and wood flooring while incorporating modern classroom technology and spaces that will serve the surrounding community, such as the auditorium that seats 265. We got a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a student on this unique campus, from the house-style residence halls to the barns and stables where livestock are cared for by students. We enjoyed lunch at the school’s cafeteria where we spoke with a few students about what piqued their interest in studying agriculture:

“I’ve always loved the outdoors and working with animals. I found this school and thought this would be perfect, especially since I’m coming from being homeschooled. When I came here, I started getting into the conservation side of things and into taking care of animals and eventually got into falconry. I trained birds for almost a whole year and hunted with red tail hawks, some peregrine falcons, and Cooper’s hawks and have really, really enjoyed it.” – Chris Page, Greenville

“I grew up not out in the country so I didn’t have any exposure to farm life, but there are 30 acres that back up to my house. There were always deer, barn owls, raccoons, and other animals out there. Then a neighborhood was built back there and it destroyed their habitat. That was when I started really thinking more about wildlife. I applied here because I thought, well, this will be fun — and my first year was great!” – Garland Wilson, Lexington

“Growing up, my family was always outside hiking and camping. When I started high school, some of the electives were like animal care and agriculture. Those were really interesting so I did a shadow day at JDLH and thought, man, I really like this. Three of my four classes are outside all the time and I just love it.” – Lainey Patten, Anderson

“Agriculture has always been a big, big part of my life. My family runs a dairy farm in Bowman. We have about 350 cows and are currently milking about 150 of them. When I applied here, my parents assumed I would go into the Plant and Animal Systems Pathway, but that wasn’t the case. I am very involved with the youth development program 4H and have done multiple workshops for Clemson’s Environmental and Natural Resources and that’s where I found my love for being outside and in the woods.” – Brooks Wetzel, Bowman

More than 100 students have graduated from the Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe since the inaugural graduating class in 2022. They’ve also earned statewide and national recognition — Garland Wilson recently brought home two 1st place prizes from the South Carolina Beekeepers Association Conference and Lainey Patten was on a team that was named national champions in in a wildlife management contest by FFA.

Agriculture is South Carolina's largest industry, generating $51 billion in economic impact in 2020 (SC Dept. of Agriculture), and this one-of-a-kind school is equipping future farmers for success.

Learn more at delahowe.sc.gov.

It’s beautifully full-circle for me to write on this topic for the Upstate Advocate.

When I was a senior in college, studying landscape architecture and writing my honors thesis on connecting children with nature, Brad Wyche came to speak to my class. He’d just started a new organization called Upstate Forever that was going to promote sensible growth and protect special places in the Upstate.

As soon as I heard Brad speak, I was inspired. My career goals shifted from land design to land conservation. I wrote him what I’m sure was a ridiculously idealistic, unsolicited letter to that effect and sent it with my resume. With Brad, sharing idealistic passion isn’t a bad approach, and I heard from him six months later when there was an opening.

I spent the next 13 years serving Upstate Forever’s Land Trust Program, ultimately as its Director, collaborating in some of the most meaningful and impactful work of my lifetime. I was there to support the early protection work for Conestee Nature Preserve — which is now permanently protected under a conservation easement with Upstate Forever — and I developed leadership skills that brought me to where I am today.

But that isn’t the first chapter of my conservation story. As a child, I didn’t live in a neighborhood with lots of other kids, or have a community swimming pool like some of my friends, but I had unlimited nature discovery. I had a favorite boulder by the waterfall where I liked to sit and read, and I knew the best spot to wait for deer to walk by in the morning.

Those childhood experiences shaped who I am. The seed of that unique passion is most often planted early in life. My commitment to preserving that opportunity for the children of the Upstate, with all its many benefits, has been the guiding force throughout my professional career.

As access to wild spaces diminishes, creating welcoming, inclusive opportunities for children to explore, imagine, and engage with their environment has become essential.

Through Conestee Nature Preserve's field trips, nature play areas, and community partnerships, we strive to cultivate not only knowledge, but wonder and action — empowering the next generation to protect and restore the natural places that sustain us all.

Connecting kids with nature at Conestee

Children’s access to authentic nature — and unstructured play within it — is vital for their health and development. It sparks curiosity, confidence, and a lasting sense of stewardship. Recent research shows that early childhood
environmental education builds foundational skills — from problem-solving and critical thinking to self-regulation and social interaction — while inspiring children to care for the living world.

Time spent in green spaces is linked to improved academic performance, better sleep, and reduced stress, underscoring the powerful role of nature in physical and mental health.

Additionally, nature experiences early in life tend to predict environmental citizenship and engagement in adulthood, helping nurture a generation ready to protect and restore the places they love.

That’s why, at Conestee Nature Preserve, we believe investing in equitable environmental education and nature access for all benefits not just the individual, but our community as a whole. We remove all possible barriers to engagement, including cost for admission to this 640-acre wildlife sanctuary. And our dedicated Environmental Educators impact almost 6,000 students a year through free experiential field trips.

Since moving to a free field trip model, we have not only doubled the number of total students served (from 3,000 to 6,000), but dramatically increased the number of Title One schools served (now comprising over 20% of our total students).

“I’ve been an environmental educator since 2006, and in that time, I’ve observed a dramatic increase in the number of children that are scared of even entering the Preserve,” said Sarah Whitmire, Education Director at Conestee Nature Preserve.

"We address those fears through play in nature and repeat positive experiences," continued Sarah. "After a recent field trip, a teacher reported that a student began the day terrified of bugs and jumping at every little sound, but by the end of the day, they were fully engaged and smiling. Those are the experiences that make our day and confirm we are making an impact.”

The Playscape: Play. Build. Explore.

In April 2025, Conestee Nature Preserve opened its Nature Playscape, the first of its kind in our region. This unique space is designed to immerse children in direct, joyful nature play.

With structures like the Explorer’s Overlook, Heron’s Nest, beaver lodge, and Curiosity Creek, children are invited to climb, build forts, and observe wildlife — experiences that foster creativity and imagination as well as physical confidence.

These nature-based spaces encourage unplanned, active play and longer engagement, letting kids test boundaries and invent their own stories. Every experience in Conestee’s Playscape asks children to engage with the landscape — they are active participants shaping their relationship to the wild.

For families raising young children, a fenced-in area provides a safe place to get wet and muddy, while older children and adults find plenty of opportunities for contemplation, exploration, and connection.

Partnering to provide nature for kids — today and tomorrow

As children in the Upstate — and everywhere — face shrinking access to wild places, our collective work is more urgent than ever. Upstate Forever, Conestee Nature Preserve, and our partners collaborate to protect land and promote and provide access to nature for children.

We believe learning is most powerful when it is multisensory, inclusive, and place-based — whether through school field trips, family outings, or spontaneous play in the woods.

Conestee’s environmental education programs and Playscape aim to spark lifelong respect, wonder, and responsibility for what grows and thrives right here in the heart of the Upstate.

An invitation to join in wild joy

The real work of environmental education is not just to inform, but to transform — to cultivate hope, responsibility, and joy in young people as they encounter the wonders of their world.

We invite every family, every educator, and every advocate to join us. Bring your children, check out the Playscape, and see firsthand how nature is building a stronger Upstate — one playful explorer at a time.

If you’d like to volunteer or otherwise support environmental education at Conestee, we will equip you with all the training and resources you need! Please reach out to sarah@conesteepreserve.org to learn more.

We believe Richard Louv put it best,

“Every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature. Not only those of a certain economic class or culture or set of abilities. Every child.”

And at Conestee Nature Preserve, we work every day to meet that need.

Hero photo by Ranya Alhadrami

Click here to read a digital copy of the Fall/Winter 2025-2026 issue of the Upstate Advocate

Being outside benefits kids.

With the world busier, louder, and more complex than ever, young people need all the support we can give them — and they need the outdoors more than ever.

Nature provides children with grounding, calming, and educational experiences that can't be replicated elsewhere. It boosts mental and physical health, and offers opportunities for kids to develop confidence, problem-solving abilities, and focus.

That's why, in this issue of the Upstate Advocate, we highlight the ways nature benefits kids, and some efforts underway to ensure the Upstate has ample healthy natural places for outdoor learning and recreation.

UF staff recently had the opportunity to visit the SC Governor's School of Agriculture at John de la Howe. Those high school students were mature, thoughtful, and prepared — due in no small part to their constant immersion in nature and agriculture. You can read more about these unique kids and school here.

We're also pleased to feature articles about outdoor education efforts on two properties protected by UF — Conestee Nature Preserve and Bryson Children's Nature Walk. And, as a special feature, we've included some nature-based kids' activity pages for the little conservationist in your life.

Thanks to your support, Upstate Forever will continue working to protect green space, safeguard water quality, and promote sensible growth practices. Together, we can ensure a green, vibrant, and prosperous future for our children, now and forever.

Aldon Knight, Executive Director

Click here to read a digital copy of the Fall/Winter 2025-2026 issue of the Upstate Advocate

Elegant and poised, the great blue heron brings soft blues, grays, and flowing lines to your Halloween look. Think long silhouettes, feathered details, and understated accessories that echo the grace of this iconic wetland bird.

The Carolina mantis inspires a look of sleek greens and simple silhouettes. Layered fabrics and clean lines mimic this insect’s precise and deliberate movements — add wings for a standout costume.

Shades of brown and gray, grounded textures, and movement-friendly pieces make this look powerful yet understated. A nod to the Carolina wolf spider’s protective side — she carries her young on her back — adds a layer of meaning beneath the costume’s laid-back look.

Dark and mysterious, the spotted salamander provides perfect inspiration for a rain-ready, forest-floor-chic costume. Dark glossy fabric accented with pops of gold capture the salamander’s playful glow.

Group costume, anyone? For a subtle but striking statement, the scarlet snake’s crimson, black, and cream pattern easily transforms into a bold Halloween ensemble.

Now this is a wear-what-you-already-have costume — minus the tail, of course! Playful and approachable, the North American river otter inspires a cozy, layered look in warm browns and neutrals.

These five costumes show that Halloween inspiration can come straight from our own backyard. From the elegance of a heron to the bold flair of a scarlet snake, each look celebrates the color, texture, and spirit of Upstate South Carolina’s native wildlife.

Use these ideas to craft your own creature-inspired Halloween outfits — and don’t forget to share your critter-inspired costume photos by tagging @upstateforever on social media!

This national week was established in 2008 by the House of Representatives to help the public understand what estate planning is and why it is such a vital component of financial wellness.

It’s a timely reminder to take one of the most important steps in planning for the future — creating or updating your will. Making a will is one of the most meaningful ways to take care of your loved ones and the causes you care about.

Planning for tomorrow's Upstate today

At Upstate Forever, we often ask ourselves: who helped shape this organization into the force for conservation it is today? Who laid the foundation for the success we now build upon? The truth is, Upstate Forever’s continued progress is not just due to today’s efforts — but also to the thoughtful planning of those who came before us.

A planned gift, such as a charitable bequest through your will or trust, is one of the most straightforward and impactful ways to support the work of Upstate Forever for decades to come. Not only does a bequest allow you to leave an enduring legacy that supports land protection, clean water initiatives, and responsible growth, it can also provide a charitable deduction for your estate — helping to ease the tax burden on your heirs.

Want to learn more? Join our new Planned Giving email newsletter list to receive quarterly information about the benefits of including Upstate Forever in your estate plans

Subscribe now

Including a gift to Upstate Forever in your will is more than a financial decision. It’s a gift to your family and your community. It ensures your intentions are clearly stated, giving your loved ones peace of mind and helping avoid unnecessary stress during a difficult time.

Imagine this: years from now, someone new joins the team at Upstate Forever. They look around at the protected landscapes, the restored rivers, the preserved trails and forests, and they ask, “Who made this possible?”

The answer could be you.

Whether your bequest is large or small, your generosity will play a crucial role in safeguarding the Upstate’s natural beauty for generations. There are still so many acres left to conserve and care for, and so many opportunities to ensure clean water, vibrant green spaces, and access to nature for everyone.

Let's talk

If you have already included Upstate Forever in your plans, we would be honored to know. Not only does this allow us to thank you, but it also ensures we understand and honor your intentions.

This October, as you reflect on the legacy you wish to leave, consider how your support can shape the future of the Upstate. Let’s work together to ensure this region remains a healthy, resilient, and beautiful place to call home — for generations to come!

So, whether you've already included Upstate Forever in your estate plans or would like to discuss your options as you weigh a future decision, please feel free to contact me at mmartin@upstateforever.org or (864) 203-1930.

Please note: Upstate Forever is unable to provide tax, legal, or financial advice regarding wills, estate, or other planned gifts. We strongly recommend you consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional to help guide you in making decisions that align with your personal financial and estate planning goals.

session 1: Wednesday, September 24

Presentation:

• Introduction to City and Regional Planning, Keith Brockington, Transportation Planning Manager, Greenville County| GPATS

Additional resources:

• Greenville County Maps Online- GIS 
• Greenville County Comprehensive Plan
• Five Year Review of Greenville County Comprehensive Plan
• GVL 2040 Comprehensive Plan (The City of Greenville)
• GVL 2040 Notification List - Public Engagement link 
• Greenville- Pickens Area Transportation Study (GPATS)
• Greenville Transit Authority Goals & Priorities 
• Sign up for Upstate Forever Land Planning & Policy e-newsletter updates 

SESSION 2: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1

Presentation:

• Bike Walk Greenville: Advocating for mobility choices in Greenville County, Mary McGowan, Chair, Board of Directors & Jasmine Vanadore, Executive Director, Bike Walk Greenville

Additional resources:

• Strong Towns Website 
• Escaping the Housing Trap by Charles L. Marohn & Daniel Herriges
• Bike Walk Greenville
• Walkable City Rules by Jeff Speck
• Checking Road Ownership in South Carolina 
• SCDOT Online Work Order Request Form
• Greenville Cares 
• Downtown Transportation Master Plan Survey 
• Trees Upstate PowerPoint 
• Who Owns the Roads
• Sign up for Bike Walk Greenville Newsletter
• Sign up for Upstate Forever Land Planning & Policy e-newsletter updates 

SESSION 3: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8

Presentations:

• Principles of Smart Growth, Jean Crowther, AICP, Principal Planner at Alta Planning + Design
• Zoning for Smarties: Introduction to Zoning, Michael Forman, AICP, Conduit Planning LLC

Additional resources:

• STRONG TOWNS, Daniel Herriges
• Conventional Development Versus Managed Growth: The Costs of Sprawl
• Smart Growth America
• Shaping Our Future Return-on-Investment Study
• Missing Middle Housing
• Shaping Our Futures Upstate South Carolina 
• Sign up for Upstate Forever Land Planning & Policy e-newsletter updates 

SESSION 4: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15

Presentation:

• Greenville County: Current Projects in Planning – Draper Carlile, Planning Director & Josh Henderson, Zoning Admin/Deputy Planning Director of Greenville County

Additional resources:

• Greenville County Planning
• Greenville County Comprehensive Plan Five Year Review
• Greenville County Long Range Planning
• Board and Commissions Calendar of Events
• County Council and Standing Committee Meetings Calendar
• County Code Enforcement
• Sign up for Upstate Forever Land Planning & Policy e-newsletter updates

SESSION 5: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22

Panel Discussion and Q&A: Roles and Perspectives in Local Planning Processes

• Dorothy Dowe – Councilmember, City of Greenville: ddowe@greenvillesc.gov
• Mario Brown – Affordable Upstate, Developer: mario@affordableupstate.com
• Alex Cahill – Planning & Development Director, City of Greer: acahill@cityofgreersc.gov
• Ashana Taylor – Associate Development Planner, City of Greenville: ataylor@greenvillesc.gov

Additional Resources:

• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
• Greenville CARES
• Valerie Holmes – PE, Assistant City Engineer - Traffic: vholmes@greenvillesc.gov
• City of Greenville Planning & Development Department
• City of Greenville Development Code
• City of Greer Planning Division
• City of Greer UDO
• Affordable Upstate

session 6: Wednesday, October 29

Presentation:

• Equity in Planning, Amber Stewart, Advocacy & Community Engagement Director, Greenville Housing Fund, astewart@greenvillehousingfund.com

Additional Resources:

• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, Richard Rothstein
• Segregated by Design 
• Sterling Neighborhood Study 
• Mapping House Inequities, Greenville, SC
• Greenville Housing Fund
• Housing Continuum
• Broken Ground, Season 8: Plantation Pollution
• Center for Heirs' Property:
  • Legal Questions: Mikayla Mangle, mmangle@heirsproperty.org, 843-745-7055 ext:269
  • Forestry and Land Use Questions: James Williams, jwilliams@heirsproperty.org, 843-745-7055 ext:309

If the Public Service Commission (PSC) approves DEC’s new request, a typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would see their monthly electric bill rise by 7.6%, or $10.38 per month, on top of the 13% rate increase approved a year ago.

However, things are different this time. Earlier this year, the SC Legislature passed H.3309, also known as the SC Energy Security Act. The law includes rate stabilization provisions, which could allow utilities like Duke to raise rates annually through an expedited regulatory process — limited in scope and procedure compared to a general rate case — meaning an affected customer’s opportunity for public input and transparency could be more limited.

Utilities have the discretion to opt into this framework at any time, and while DEC has not done so yet, if the company were to opt into to this new process, its customers could see their rates increase more frequently. We're especially concerned about how these increases will impact low-income customers, who are most vulnerable to rising utility costs. With the looming possibility that DEC will elect to opt into rate stabilization in the near future, the outcome of its pending general rate case is all the more important.

DEC filed its application with the PSC on July 1, 2025. The Commission will begin hearing the case in November and issue a final order by early January 2026. The outcome of this case will not just influence monthly bills in the near term. It will also help determine the future of energy affordability across South Carolina for years to come. Staying informed and engaged throughout this process will help ensure that the conversation around energy affordability reflects the realities faced by communities across our state.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC HEARINGS ABOUT DUKE'S RATE INCREASES

The PSC is holding public hearings across the Upstate this month. Take this opportunity to register to speak and share how rising energy costs are impacting your household:

Monday, October 6 at 6:00 PM
Spartanburg County Council Chambers
366 N. Church Street, Suite 1000
Spartanburg, SC 29720

Monday, October 13 at 6:00 PM
Anderson County Council Chambers
101 S. Main Street
Anderson, SC 29624

Tuesday October 14 at 6:00 PM
Greenville Technical College
506 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Building No. 101
Greenville, SC 29607

Thursday, October 16 at 6:00 PM
Greenwood 50 Performing Arts Center
1816 Cokesbury Road
Greenwood, SC 29649

Register to speak at a hearing

If you cannot attend a hearing, you may also submit a Letter of Protest to share your concerns. Letters can be emailed to contact@psc.sc.gov or mailed to:

Public Service Commission of South Carolina
101 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100
Columbia, SC 29210

These facilities often concentrate in areas with low energy prices, limited regulation, and available land or infrastructure, conditions present in many parts of South Carolina. Without adequate planning and oversight, data centers can increase grid strain, drive up ratepayer costs, and affect nearby communities.

Upstate Forever is not inherently opposed to data centers. However, we believe local and state leaders need to pay attention and quickly adapt to the ever-evolving resource needs from this emerging industry to ensure that residents don't foot the bill for new energy generation or water withdrawal.

Potential Ratepayer Impacts

• Increased electricity demand can drive higher rates for residential and commercial customers.
   
• Customers could be left to pay for investments made to upgrade infrastructure to support energy demand of cryptocurrency mining operations.
   
• According to a study by the University of California Berkley, Upstate New York residents saw an $8 monthly increase and small businesses experienced a $12 monthly increase due to cryptocurrency mining.
   
• In Summer 2022, cryptocurrency miners in Texas received payments more than $1.12 per kilowatt hour on electricity they were only paying $0.04 per kwh for demand response. The difference will be reflected in the retail price paid by residential customers.

Potential Community Impacts

• Residents living near existing or proposed data centers often raise concerns about their impact on quality of life, including constant noise, increased air pollution, higher energy demands, rising utility bills, potential threats to culturally significant sites, and strain on local infrastructure.
   
• With many data centers using diesel backup generators, which emit pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, their location is critical to avoiding harmful air pollution in nearby communities.
   
• Discarded hardware can release heavy metals and toxins if not disposed of properly.
   
• States, including South Carolina, have proposed building new gas power plants and expanding nuclear energy, mainly driven by the growing electricity demands of data centers.

Jobs vs. Energy Consumption

• While construction may generate short-term employment, long-term jobs are limited due to automation.
   
• Most data centers employ a few dozen people even when consuming power equal to that of a city.
   
• In April 2025, Northmark Strategies announced their intention to open a data center in Spartanburg, SC, that would create only 27 full time jobs.

For more information, contact Michael Coleman at mcoleman@upstateforever.org

Totaling more than 170 acres, these newly conserved lands will help safeguard water quality, preserve wildlife habitat, and maintain the natural beauty of the Upstate for generations to come. Thanks to the generosity of the landowners and support from partners, these lands will remain undeveloped and ecologically vibrant forever.

Connecting protected lands near Oconee Station

The 64-acre Oconee Station Connector property lies just outside Walhalla and links a network of conserved lands including the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, Oconee Station State Historic Site, and another Upstate Forever conservation easement. Nearly entirely forested, it includes mature hardwood and pine stands and over 4,700 feet of streams flowing into Lake Keowee.

Project funders include the South Carolina Conservation Bank, Upstate Land Conservation Fund, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This project also received a reimbursement grant through South Carolina Department of Environmental Services 319 funding for Lake Keowee.

Safeguarding the headwaters of Fall Creek

Tucked in the Mountain Rest community, the 108-acre Fall Creek Headwaters property protects the source of Fall Creek, a tributary of the Chattooga River. This peaceful forested cove provides clean water and vital wildlife habitat, and landowners Jody Tinsley and April Childress have spent over two decades reuniting parcels of this special land to ensure its permanent protection.

Project funders include the Oconee County Conservation Bank, South Carolina Conservation Bank, Upstate Land Conservation Fund, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Permanent land protection is one of the most meaningful ways we can ensure a resilient, thriving future for our region. With nearly 40,000 acres conserved since our founding in 1998, Upstate Forever remains committed to partnering with local landowners to preserve the forests, farms, and waterways that define our natural heritage.

Do you own land you'd like to protect?

Our land trust helps landowners preserve their legacy through voluntary conservation easements. You continue to own the land, and you may realize significant tax benefits. Funding assistance may also be available.

For more information, contact us at landtrust@upstateforever.org.

Solar and Farming Can Coexist

According to The Great Plains Institute, utility-scale solar can be compatible with other forms of non-cultivated agriculture like pasture and grasslands. Solar projects can complement agricultural production by allowing for:

• Pollinator habitats that support crops
• Livestock grazing between panel rows

Solar panels can also be installed in ways that support farming. This approach is called agrivoltaics. It combines solar energy production with farming activities on the same land.

Solar installations can aid in land recovery. They typically last 20–25 years and can be fully decommissioned, allowing the land to return to agricultural use, often healthier after the “rest” period, which helps to rejuvenate soil quality.

Benefits to Landowners & Communities

Solar farms offer a number of benefits to rural landowners. They can provide an additional income stream to farmers — leasing land to solar developers can offer steady, long-term revenue. They help with market-resistance, as they can provide a financial cushion during times of poor crop yields or commodity price drops. Solar leases can also help landowners keep land in the family and avoid selling to developers for non-agricultural purposes.

The community at large often benefits as well. Solar projects generate tax revenue that benefits the community throughout the life of the facility. These funds can be used to enhance public services such as education, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response. Unlike many other types of development, solar farms typically do not require new roads, sewer systems, or major infrastructure investments. They can be built using existing access roads and infrastructure, minimizing disruption to the surrounding landscape and reducing taxpayer burden. Finally, the construction, operations, and maintenance of solar facilities create local employment opportunities.

Common Misconceptions

Myth: “It’s a waste of farmland.”

Truth: Repurposing land for solar could reduce reliance on volatile fuel markets, support rural incomes, and boost clean energy without impacting food production. Source

Myth: “Solar farms are an eyesore and harm rural character.”

Truth: Aesthetic concerns are valid; however, many solar farms are built on land not currently used for growing food. Native plantings and vegetative buffers can reduce visual impact. Source
 

Myth: “Solar panels are dangerous.”

Truth: Most solar panels are made from crystalline silicon, a non-toxic, enclosed material. There is no risk of chemicals leaking into soil or air under normal use. Source
 

Myth: “Solar harms health.”

Truth: Solar panels produce no emissions and emit lower electromagnetic fields than TVs or refrigerators. There are no confirmed health impacts at public exposure levels. Source

Like any infrastructure, solar installations should be carefully considered and constructed in a way that mitigates negative impacts. However, with the right approach, solar farms can provide significant benefits to farmers and agricultural communities.

For more information, contact Michael Coleman at mcoleman@upstateforever.org

The Bramlett Road site encompasses approximately 35 acres in Greenville's Southernside community. This site is heavily contaminated with coal tar resulting from coal gas manufacturing that occurred from 1917-1951 by Southern Public Utilities and later Duke Power Company.

In addition to the manufactured gas plant (MGP) site, coal tar migrated to other sites adjacent including wetlands and the Reedy River. This contamination has settled into sediment and groundwater on these parcels that are located next to Legacy Charter School and Mountain View Baptist Church — pictured below. An illegal and unpermitted landfill was placed on top of the already contaminated parcels, now owned by a railroad company, CSX Transportation (CSXT).

Since we last discussed this cleanup in August of 2024, SCDES has been reviewing public comments and developing the ROD that will guide future steps in the cleanup process. We are glad to share that SCDES selected a remedy that will excavate the entire landfill, excavate all impacted sediments across all parcels, monitor groundwater, and implement land use controls on site.

Even more exciting is that the agency chose to incorporate several other components into the remedial approach following the collective community advocacy received during the public comment period. These components include the removal of contaminated soils on the site's upper parcels to meet residential health standards, restoration of all wetlands impacted or damaged during the cleanup process, along with a commitment to address groundwater contamination after soils and sediment are removed from the site.

Overall, Upstate Forever sees this as a major success and proof of the power of public engagement. Without the community, environmental partners, and folks like yourselves, this remedial plan would not be nearly as comprehensive.

At this point in the process, SCDES will need to renegotiate a new Voluntary Cleanup Contract (VCC) with Duke Energy and CSXT. Participation from both of these parties will be necessary to initiate the cleanup effort, which SCDES estimates will take approximately six years to complete. We will continue to advocate for the most comprehensive cleanup of the site and will keep you updated on its progress.

For more information about the history of the site, visit the South Carolina Environmental Law Project (SCELP) Bramlett Cleanup page.

If you have any questions about the Bramlett Road site, please contact Clean Water Specialist Rebecca Wade rwade@upstateforever.org.

On June 17, the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy purchased the 31.5-mile rail corridor from Norfolk Southern — a major step toward building the trail. The planned Saluda Grade Trail will travel through scenic Upstate South Carolina into the mountains of Western North Carolina. The route passes through charming small towns including Inman, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, Saluda, and Zirconia.

Glenn Hilliard, founder and chair of the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy, said, “For many years, people have looked at the unique communities and spectacular scenery along this rail corridor, and hoped that one day it could be transformed into a rail trail with recreational and economic benefits for the entire area. Closing the purchase of the Saluda Grade is a wonderful achievement, and we owe our appreciation to the many partners and contributors who made this possible.” 

With the land purchase complete, trail partners are now focused on next steps. These include raising millions of dollars for construction and engaging communities along the trail in planning and design. The timeline for opening the trail will depend on many factors, including the availability of federal and state grants, which are the most likely source of funds for construction.

The Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy is a coalition formed by three local nonprofits — Conserving Carolina; PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well; and Upstate Forever. This coalition went under contract on the rail line last summer and had one year to finalize the purchase, which is now complete. Moving forward, the Saluda Grade Trail project will be led by Conserving Carolina and PAL.

Laura Ringo, executive director of PAL said, “The Saluda Grade Trail will encourage a healthy and thriving region by transforming the economies of the communities in which it passes. With the announcements of Time Bicycles and Boyd Cycling to locate along the corridor, this project was driving a positive economic impact before it was even purchased. And there will be more to come! In addition, choosing an active lifestyle will become easier, safer, and more convenient.” 

Kieran Roe, executive director of Conserving Carolina, said, “The Saluda Grade Trail will be a valuable addition to outdoor recreation opportunities in our region. Unlike our trails way out in the mountains, this trail will go through the heart of our communities. And this trail will be welcoming to people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels—from adventurers who bike the whole length to kids out playing after school.” 

“Upstate Forever is honored to have played a role in getting the Saluda Grade Trail project through its initial stages to this successful milestone," said Aldon Knight, executive director of Upstate Forever. "We remain tremendously excited about the trail, and supportive of our friends at PAL and Conserving Carolina. With decades of trail-building expertise and experience between the two organizations, they are the ideal powerhouse team to take this project through its next stages.” 

The corridor purchase cost $28.5 million dollars and was primarily funded by allocations from the states of North and South Carolina, as well as a grant from the South Carolina Conservation Bank. In NC, state legislators Rep. Jake Johnson and Sen. Tim Moffit helped secure state funding for the purchase, along with key support from Rep. Dean Arp, a champion of trails in North Carolina. The Spartanburg County delegation with support from Representative Bruce Bannister and former Representative Max Hyde helped secure SC state funding for the purchase. 

NC Rep. Jake Johnson, said, “I was born and raised in Saluda, where my family goes back generations. This is a very special region to me, as I am sure it is to many of you. I am excited for the opportunity that this acquisition offers, and glad to see so many stakeholders now at the table ensuring it is done the right way. My goal is to provide the greatest economic opportunity, while fitting the culture of our region. We still have a long way to go, as we explore the options for a passenger train, bike & hiking trails and how best to partner with towns and counties along the corridor. However, I am optimistic that working together we can create something that years from now, we will all be proud of.” 

Jack Mabry, Vice-Chairman of Spartanburg County Council and Chairman of Spartanburg County Council’s Livability Committee said, “Spartanburg County appreciates the work of all the partners who made this a reality. Trails and greenways continue to be the most desired recreational amenity by Spartanburg County residents. The Saluda Grade rail trail will have a tremendous impact on Spartanburg County, and we look forward to supporting its development.” 

“This is wonderful news for western North Carolina and our state trails system” said Jeff Michael, deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which oversees the state trails program. “Our parks and trails contribute so much to the local communities, and after Helene, we are eager to do our part in the recovery and rebuilding. The Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy has been instrumental in the vision for this unique partnership between North Carolina and South Carolina. We are very grateful to the N.C. General Assembly and our state trail partner Conserving Carolina for making our segment of the trail possible.” 

Additional funding for the purchase, as well as for outreach and planning, came from the State of North Carolina, the federal Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), the Polk County Community Foundation,

At Norfolk Southern, Cliff Garner, the assistant vice president of real estate, said "We are proud to have played a role in the transformation of the historic Saluda Grade Railroad into a vibrant rail trail. This project aligns with our commitment to supporting initiatives that help build thriving communities. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the Saluda Grade Rail Trail will have on the regions it connects." 

The Saluda Grade Trail lays the groundwork for a connected regional trail network extending from Spartanburg to Brevard and beyond. At the southern end, the Saluda Grade Trail could connect to the 55-mile Daniel Morgan Trail System in Spartanburg, which is led by PAL. At the northern end, there is potential to connect it with the Ecusta Trail—a 19-mile rail trail from Hendersonville to Brevard that Conserving Carolina helped to spearhead. The Ecusta Trail and Saluda Grade Trail are also part of the vision for the Hellbender Trail network, which includes Asheville and surrounding communities.

Click here to browse by county: Abbeville | Anderson | Cherokee | Greenville | Greenwood | Laurens | Oconee | Pickens | Spartanburg | Union

Abbeville County

Abbeville Co. Farmers Market
Southern Oaks Jerseys Farm & Creamery
1458 Hwy. 20
Abbeville, SC 29620
Fridays, 8:00 am - 12 noon

Calhoun Falls Farmers Market
143 North Tugaloo Street
Calhoun Falls SC, 29628
Thursdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

—

Anderson County

Anderson Co. Farmers Market
402 North Murray Avenue
Anderson, SC 29621
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Belton Farmers Market
102 Blake Street
Belton, SC 29627
Third Saturday of the Month, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Iva Farmers Market
723 East Front Street
Iva, SC 29655
Fridays & Saturdays, 7:00 am - 12 noon

—

Cherokee County

Gaffney Station Farmers Market
210 West Frederick Street
Gaffney, SC 29341
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:00 - 6:00 pm 
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 pm

—

Greenville County 

Bridgeway Station Farmers Market
1000 Via Corso Ave
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Thursdays, 4:00 - 8:00 pm

Fountain Inn Farmers Market
110 Depot Street
Fountain Inn, SC 29644
Saturdays, 8:00 am - 12 noon

Greenville State Farmers Market
1354 Rutherford Road
Greenville, SC 29609
Monday - Saturday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Greer Farmers Market
301 Poinsett Street
Greer, SC 29651
Sundays, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Simpsonville Farmers Market
100 Park Dr
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Saturdays, 8:00 am - 12 noon

TD Saturday Market
Main Street at McBee Avenue 
Greenville, SC 29601
Saturdays, 8:00 am - 12 noon

Travelers Rest Farmers Market
115 Trailblazer Drive
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Saturdays, 8:30 am - 12 noon

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Greenwood County

Greenwood Co. Farmers Market
1612 SC Hwy 72/221 East 
Greenwood SC, 29653
Wednesdays & Saturdays, 7:00 am - 12 noon

Uptown Market
220 Maxwell Avenue
Greenwood, SC 29646
Saturdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

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Laurens County

Laurens Farmers Market
South Side of Historic Square
Laurens, SC 29360
Saturdays, 8:00 am - 12 noon

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Oconee County 

Foothills Heritage Market
2063 Sandifer Boulevard
Westminster, SC 29693
Saturdays, 8:00 am - 12 noon

Walhalla Farmers Market
101 E North Broad St
Walhalla, SC 29691
Saturdays, 8:30 am - 12 noon

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Pickens County

Clemson Farmers Market
578 Issaqueena Trail
Clemson, SC 29631
Wednesdays, 3:30 - 6:30 pm

Easley Farmers Market
205 North 1st Street 
Easley, SC 29640
Saturdays, 9:00 am - 12 noon

Second Saturday Makers' Market
703 W Main St
Central, SC 29630
Second Saturdays of each month May - October,
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Six Mile Farmer’s Depot
116 N Main St
Six Mile, SC 29682
Tuesdays, 4:00 - 7:00 pm

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Spartanburg County

Hub City Farmers Market
498 Howard Street
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Saturdays, 8 am - 12 noon

Landrum Farmers Market
221 W. Rutherford Street
Landrum, SC 29356
Saturdays, 8:00 am - 12 noon

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Union County

Union County Farm & Craft Market
511 E. Main Street
Union, SC 29379
Saturday, 8:00 am - 12 noon

Didn’t see your favorite farmers market listed here or found out-of-date information? Let us know at info@upstateforever.org.

Photo by Anne Preble

Right up against the clock, changes to the bill flew between chambers, unfortunately including the removal of new protections for landowners (championed by Spartanburg Senator Shane Martin), the weakening of proposed energy efficiency standards, and the elimination of key guard rails on data center development. Still, as we’ll explore below, the bill has come a long way from its original, broad-sweeping rollbacks.

How we got here

Initially framed by utilities as a necessary overhaul of the process for approving and funding energy infrastructure, the bill used the authorization of a massive natural gas plant in Canadys, SC — to be built by Dominion and Santee Cooper — as a vehicle for dozens of changes to how utility plans are reviewed, challenged, and commented on by the public. Throughout legislative committee hearings, stakeholder meetings, and countless conversations, we remained fully engaged, raising red flags about the unintended consequences of many proposed changes and sharing real-world examples of how Upstate landowners and communities could be affected. 

Thanks to unwavering support from citizens, community groups, and our partners, excessive rollbacks to permitting and oversight were removed. With compromises to streamline the permitting and appeals process for energy projects, a mix of progressive measures were also secured to support clean energy and energy efficiency programs. 

Scroll down for a comprehensive look at the wins. It’s a long list for good reason, reflecting the bill’s far-reaching impacts and the tireless work from residents, advocates, and experts to hold the line on public interest, accountability, and fair access in a rapidly shifting energy landscape. 

While significant improvements were secured, several concerning provisions still made it in. Those concerns are also enumerated below.

This legislation is now law, but its true impact will be shaped in the months and years ahead as utilities, regulators, and communities navigate its implementation. New rate cases to adjust monthly electric bills are already underway, coming on the heels of an announcement by Duke Energy Carolinas to build a 1,400 MW combined cycle natural gas plant in Anderson County. Upstate Forever will continue to champion transparency, protect the public interest, and push for energy decisions that reflect the values and needs of all South Carolinians.

Some big wins

Below is a comprehensive look at the hard-earned wins secured by a broad coalition of advocates:

Maintained Integrity at the SC Public Service Commission (PSC) 

• Removed the provision that would have reduced the number of Public Service Commissioners from seven to three. 
• Preserved the Consumer Advocate’s independence to represent the public’s best interests in PSC proceedings.
• Preserved independence at the PSC and Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) by removing language prioritizing the financial health of electric utilities within the agencies’ missions. 
• Removed language declaring many energy projects, including 9,000 megawatts (MW) of natural gas between Duke, Dominion, and Santee Cooper, to be in the “public interest,” essentially pre-determining approval by the PSC.

Risk and Oversight

• Removed the “Anchor Subscriber” provision, which would have authorized Santee Cooper — and by extension, the state — to take on excessive financial risk and skyrocketing costs for natural gas pipeline projects, something no other state has done. 
• Added oversight of large energy project construction costs and quarterly reporting requirements.

Defending Low-cost Clean energy

• Removed a proposal that would have forced solar projects over 125 acres—regardless of generation capacity—to undergo PSC certification, using a state-level process to address local land use concerns better handled by communities.
• Preserved 10-year contract terms for solar projects under PURPA, the federal law that guarantees independent producers fair access to the energy market.
• Removed a provision that would have shifted discretion from the PSC to utilities to develop programs for the Competitive Procurement of Renewable Energy (CPRE), a best practice in the utility industry for lowering costs to customers.
• Raised the solar net metering cap for nonresidential customers to 5 MW (up from 1 MW, or about enough solar to power 112 homes for a year in SC), promoting more on-site solar generation by large businesses and industrial customers. 
• Strengthened CPRE requirements to meet near-term energy demand:
  • Utilities must now procure renewable energy, co-located energy storage, and eligible stand-alone storage consistent with the amount stated in their Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which are plans submitted to the PSC by utilities every three years detailing how they will meet energy needs over the next 15 years.
  • Stand-alone energy storage projects under 20 MW intended for local reliability will be streamlined.
• Encouraged utilities to explore bulk power solutions for non-residential customers with electric loads exceeding 25 MW.
• Established solar design standards for counties that have not adopted rural zoning or solar design and development ordinances. 

Permitting Reforms

• Protected citizens’ standing to appeal permit decisions on energy projects. 
• Significantly narrowed language allowing utilities to begin clearing, grading, and construction of broad swaths of energy projects before receiving PSC approval.
• Closed a loophole letting utilities stall the new six-month permit review timeline by submitting incomplete applications.
• Eliminated a dangerous provision allowing utilities to bypass PSC review for infrastructure built in new rights-of-way — essentially, anywhere. 

Transmission Planning

Added requirements for utilities to include, as part of their proposed IRPs, a report addressing updates to the utility’s transmission network over 15-years, describing local stakeholder participation, how they evaluated a range of solutions to reduce costs - including joint projects with other utilities, upgrades, and modern grid-enhancing technologies - and considerations where specific sites have been identified.

Energy Efficiency 

• Added requirements for utilities to invest in all reasonable, prudent, and cost-effective Energy Efficiency (EE) and demand-side resources.
• Directed ORS to evaluate utility EE program administration models (e.g., utility-led, third-party, hybrid) and authorized the PSC to appoint third-party administrators for low-income EE programs if utilities fail to meet requirements set by the PSC.
• Required utilities to annually report on EE efforts and undergo triennial PSC review.
• Clarified PSC authority to approve utility-proposed programs that expand access to EE and demand-side management.

Several concerns remain. The bill: 

• Authorized Santee Cooper and Dominion to work together to build a massive natural gas plant in the former Canadys coal plant in Colleton County. 
• Limited intervenors’ ability to “correct the record” through surrebuttal testimony at the PSC, potentially hamstringing the PSC and the public from understanding the full scope of each party’s argument.
• Exempted transmission lines from needing a CPCN from the PSC if Santee Cooper and ORS deem it necessary for economic development. 
• Increased financial burdens on intervening parties for accessing IRP software, though the fi-nal cost is lower than originally proposed.
• Authorized annual, streamlined rate increases through what utilities called “electric rate stabilization.” Utilities now can file mini rate cases every year, rather than every five years, to re-cover costs on capital expenditures like those necessary to build Canadys. After five years, a thorough review of the new process will be required by ORS with assistance from an inde-pendent third party.

The path ahead

Now that the SC Energy Security Act is law, its true effects will be shaped by how it’s implemented in the  years to come. Upstate Forever will remain a steadfast advocate for transparency, accountability, and energy decisions that serve the public good.

Questions? Contact Megan Chase-Muller, Upstate Forever’s State Policy Director, at mchase@upstateforever.org.

I’ve been hearing about “microgrids” for years, but especially since the widespread power outages caused by Hurricane Helene last fall. What are microgrids, and are they something we could utilize in the Upstate? 

Sincerely,
Puzzled in Pickens

Hi Puzzled,

You’re right — Helene’s destruction left over one million residents living without power. The extent of the outages shows we must continue enhancing our energy infrastructure for extreme weather events. Our traditional power grid, while robust, has become increasingly prone to single points of failure that plunge entire communities into darkness.

Microgrids — localized energy systems that can operate independently in “island-mode” or in conjunction with the traditional grid — are one answer to energy failures caused by storms.

They allow communities to generate and manage their own power sources, which can include renewable energy options. This is great news when it comes to public safety, economic stability, and recovery efforts after an outage.

What exactly makes microgrids so promising as our region experiences an increasing number of severe weather events? There are many benefits, but here are three of the most compelling.

First and foremost, microgrids are less vulnerable than the traditional energy grid. Essentially, a neighborhood with a microgrid can disconnect — or “island” — itself from damaged areas in the utility grid during a storm, allowing residents to keep powering the things most needed during a disaster.

For example, Bennettsville, SC, has a microgrid designed and managed by Power Secure, based in North Carolina. The 22.5 megawatt microgrid supports the entire town’s energy load with 100% backup capacity. This allows them to keep powering hospitals, emergency services, gas stations, and medical devices even when the main grid is down.

Microgrids are also very customizable. They come in a range of sizes, and can be owned publicly, privately, or as a public-private partnership. Depending on a community’s needs, they may be powered by traditional fuels or configured to use clean energy sources like solar power. These various microgrid structures empower communities to choose the best solution for their energy demands while fostering innovation and collaboration.

Another benefit to microgrids: they are easier to update and offer more flexibility than a traditional grid when it comes to using clean energy sources. While the microgrid in Bennettsville currently relies on diesel or natural gas engines, Power Secure also offers advanced microgrid systems utilizing renewable energy. This flexibility allows Bennettsville to explore integrating cleaner technologies while retaining reliable power delivery.

Transitioning to microgrid systems will require collaboration among many stakeholders. Upstate Forever is working to educate lawmakers on this issue, so that they can prioritize policies for adopting microgrid technologies and create a regulatory environment with appropriate classifications, requirements, codes, and standards.

We must also acknowledge that technical assistance and design costs are common barriers facing communities who are often most vulnerable to extended power outages.

I hope we’ll continue to see more communities implementing microgrid technologies. Together, we can build a more resilient region that is better prepared to face future storms.

Michael Coleman is the Energy Advocate for Upstate Forever. You can email him at mcoleman@upstateforever.org. 

Read more about the spectacular Chattooga River, the only National Wild and Scenic River in South Carolina

Named for the yellow patch on its nose, this lungless salamander was originally discovered in 2007 in northern Georgia. Specimens have also been found across the Chattooga in Oconee County. It is an incredibly rare salamander living in a salamander hotspot at the foothills of the Appalachians.

The patch-nosed salamander is so unique that it has its very own genus, which also happened to be the first genus of amphibian described in nearly 50 years!

Even more unusual, this salamander displays sexual color dimorphism, meaning the male and female look different.

And if that isn’t enough to make this little Upstate resident exceedingly rare, it also sports five toes instead of four, which is the norm for most salamanders.

Very few of these creatures have been found, suggesting that they may already be close to extinction. This makes efforts to protect their special habitat in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains even more critical.

The Chattooga River is an ancient, majestic force that bends and weaves around primeval granite formations for almost 42 miles along the uppermost corner of the Upstate.

With headwaters beginning in creeks and streams of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, the Chattooga descends suddenly from an elevation of 3,360 feet to an elevation of 2,469 feet until it hits the Tugaloo Lake between Georgia and South Carolina. That’s almost a half-mile fall in elevation.

The river’s sharp drop makes it one of the best whitewater recreational rivers in the eastern United States and showcases the 4,800-foot granite monolith on the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

This famous abrupt drop also creates a unique ecosystem found nowhere else on Earth. With undeveloped shorelines and dense forests, the river’s surrounding ecosystem is primordial and unusual. As it travels through three national forests — Nantahala National Forest (NC), Sumter National Forest (SC), and Chattahoochee National Forest (GA) — extraordinary plant life can be seen springing from cliffs, lining the shores, and populating the forests.

Odd creatures emerge here, too, inhabiting nooks and crannies on the shore and in the river. The river’s residents are nourished by the contrasting climate brought on by the shift in elevation, with some species thriving in the river’s cooler climate at higher elevations and others favoring the warmer climate at lower elevations.

Learn about the smallest salamander in the United States, which calls the Chattooga area home

This unique divide provides habitat for uncommon groupings of plants; the most rare among them include liverworts, rock gnome lichen, Blue Ridge bindweed, Frasera loosestrife, Manhart’s sedge, Biltmore sedge, pinkshell azalea, and divided leaf ragwort. Rare fish populate the river, too, like Bartram’s bass and Southern brook trout.

On May 10, 1974, the Chattooga became the first river in the Southeast, and the first river east of the Mississippi, to be designated a National Wild and Scenic River.

In fact, Congress selected it among the first 27 rivers studied for designation after passing the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act in 1968. The Chattooga remains the only nationally designated Wild and Scenic River in South Carolina, although there are ten river segments designated as South Carolina State Scenic Rivers.

To be classified as a “Wild and Scenic” river in the National System, Congress — and sometimes the Secretary of the Interior — considers the level of development along the river at the time of designation. They use three classifications for evaluation, and the Chattooga River has sections that represent all three classifications, meaning it is wild, scenic, and recreational.

Wild and scenic rivers must also be primitive and undeveloped, free of diversions, and have limited accessibility. The wild, primitive state of the Chattooga contributes to its uniqueness, and its status as one of the true jewels of the Southeast.

For me, that means stepping away from the hustle and bustle of our manmade lives — the to-do lists, screens, and constant busyness — and returning to a place where we can slow down, breathe, and truly listen to ourselves. Nature gives us space to feel the emotions we often push aside: anxiety, grief, and even joy. It reminds us to recreate, play, and most importantly, be.

Tending to one’s inner nature is as vital as tending to the outer world. The place that we are not just in nature, but we become like nature: river, rock, or a tree, whatever need be. There is solace and sanctuary in finding our deepest selves.

Your recent work is inspired by outdoor explorations with your grandson. Can you tell us about an impactful experience you had when visiting South Carolina’s State Parks?

While Julian and I were visiting several coastal state parks, we spent a day on the beach. Julian quickly made friends with a little boy next to us, and they spent hours flying kites and building sandcastles. Eventually, the boy’s mother came over to chat with me. She assumed I was Julian’s mom, but I told her I was his Gaga. I explained our quest to visit all the state parks and how I take Julian on these trips to give his mother — my daughter — a break and deepen my bond with him.

She began to cry. She said, “I never had someone stand in the gap for me.” Her words struck me deeply. That moment reminded me how mighty simple acts of love and presence can be and that we often carry stories and burdens others can't see at a glance. Though living with cancer, I am grateful for my life and my loved ones. I am grateful that I can give to myself, my family, and others.

Where in the Upstate do you go to seek solace in nature?

Although Julian and I are working toward visiting all 47 state parks, we often return to parks we’ve already explored. Just last week, I went to Devils Fork State Park alone, hoping to glimpse the elusive Oconee Bell. Julian didn’t come with me — his allergies were flaring up — but I was determined to find that flower. And I did. It lifted my spirits in a way only nature can. You would have thought that I had discovered buried treasure.

Other days, when I’m overwhelmed, I glance at a map. Get in the car and go. Head “over yonder,” as my grandmother would say, which is the title of my second book in this series. There are too many special places to name, but every one of them offers its kind of balm. Wherever there are trees and streams, you might find me — feet on the ground and heart in hand.

What do you hope today’s children learn from the natural world?

I hope children remember that nature is both a teacher and a playground. It's where awe, beauty, and joy meet. It teaches us to wonder, to pay attention, and to slow down. I want the next generation never to be too cool to delight in the simple things, no matter how they grow or mature. To listen to the wind, to follow a bug’s trail, or to heed the gentle wisdom of this poem:

Permission to Meander and Lollygag at Croft State Park
By Glenis Redmond

Traipse. Fritter. Wander.
Putter. Totter. Tarry. Loll.
Dilly. Dally. Dawdle. Stroll.

Saunter. Amble. Lag.
Mosey. Flow. Fixin’ to go.
Don’t hurry. Be here.

Glenis Redmond is the City of Greenville's inaugural Poet Laureate, as well as a Baldwin Fellow 2024-2025 and a Poet Laureate Fellow 2023 as selected by the American Academy of Poets. She was chosen to be a Citizen Diplomat with the Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center and is a Kennedy Center Teaching Artist.

In 2024, Glenis published The Song of Everything, a poetic journey through South Carolina's State Parks. Other published works include Praise Songs for Dave the Potter, The Listening Skin, What My Hand Say, Under the Sun, Backbone, and more. Upstate Forever was honored to host Glenis for a special poetry reading at the 2025 ForeverGreen Awards luncheon.

To learn more and shop her work, please visit glenisredmond.com.

As a photographer, I look forward each year to capturing the entrancing, almost magical trails that these fireflies create in the dark parts of the woods every spring.

These fireflies are unique in that the bioluminescence their lanterns create is a steady blue-ish glow, as opposed to a blinking yellow pattern. When captured with a long exposure of at least 30 seconds, they create these amazing patterns and trails through the forest floor!

Blue Ghosts can be seen throughout the Upstate’s higher elevations during the month of May in the darkest parts of the forest away from any light pollution.

Be sure to go out after 9:30 pm, and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for the best chance to find them.

Finally, remember to turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting during this season to encourage firefly activity.

Bobby Bradley is a photographer with a passion for creating and sharing experiences found in the natural world with others. He splits his time between Brevard, NC and Greenville. You can see more of his work at BobbyBradleyPhoto.com.

Piedmont Seepage Forest

Found throughout the southeast of the piedmont, the piedmont seepage forest is an exceedingly uncommon wetland habitat. Its rareness is heightened by the presence of one of the rarest plants on the planet — an aquatic herb called the bunched arrowhead.

This ancient plant occurs in only two counties in the entire country: Greenville County, SC, and Henderson County, NC. They thrive on the clear, cool, constantly flowing water seepage that slowly follows channels year-round down the slopes of the piedmont. The Pacolet sandy, loam soil that sustains these tiny white flowers is ideal for absorbing and storing rainwater in the ground where it is slowly released as seepage.

These forests maintain a very delicate balance that keeps them wet but not boggy or silty.

PRESERVATION WORK

Since 1986, the urging of state and federal biologists have led to intensified conservation strategies of the federally protected bunched arrowhead and its sensitive habitat. 

Conservation areas have been identified and established, like the Blackwell Heritage Preserve in Travelers Rest, which is managed by SCDNR as part of the SC Natural Heritage Program.

UF and partners like Naturaland Trust and Conserving Carolina also help protect Piedmont seepage forest habitats, in an effort to protect this sensitive habitat and increase the bunched arrowhead's chances of survival.

Piedmont Prairie

While rare now, the piedmont prairie was once a common and vast ecosystem in the Upstate where pollinators, birds, and mammals thrived. Our entire region is a piedmont, a French word for “foothills” or “foot of the mountains,” and the area’s forests once opened into large fields for many miles at a time.

In 1701, English explorer John Lawson traveled 300 miles through the Carolina piedmont and described walking for 30 miles without seeing a single tree. The forgotten large herbivores, like bison and elk, grazed and fertilized the soil, and wildfires caused by lightning — and utilized by Indigenous people — cleared large tracts where grasses and wildflowers would regrow. Now the remnants of these centuries-old ecosystems pop up on country roadsides and utility rights-of-way where they survive safe from mowing and shade.

Per square foot, these habitats are one the most biologically rich ecosystems, and there are many plants in bloom throughout the growing season.

This richness is beneficial to other rare inhabitants like the Northern bobwhite. This little quail’s ardent call of bob-white once rang from the prairies all summer long. The decline of piedmont prairie ecosystems, which are particularly vulnerable to development, caused the quail, and other species who depend on this habitat, to virtually disappear from the wild.

PRESERVATION WORK

UF's Land Management program is helping to restore this forgotten ecosystem on properties like the green burial site at Ramsey Creek Preserve in Oconee County. Here, we're working in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the conservation-minded landowners to re-establish species like the rare smooth coneflower, a federally threatened wildflower reliant on open, fire-maintained grassland habitat.

Through conservation and proper burning techniques designed to rehabilitate the habitat, we stand a chance to repopulate the prairies of South Carolina’s past.

Basic Mesic Forest

Remnants of the last Ice Age, the basic mesic forests that grow along our Upstate rivers and slopes are one of the rarest ecosystems in the piedmont of South Carolina.

Stranded on steep lower and north-facing slopes, these mostly hardwood forests of American beech, Northern red oak, tulip tree, white ash, and red maple shelter a remarkable array of endangered species. The red-cockaded woodpecker, Swallow-tailed kite, eastern small-footed bat, Rafinesque’s big-eared bat, and tricolored bat depend on these forests.

Fed by moderately moist mesic soil, the forests' towering trees are naturally protected from fire. Marble, amphibolite and limestone rocks rich in calcium and magnesium make the soil in basic mesic forests less acidic than surrounding areas — hence the term "basic."

These unique ecological traits contribute to these forests’ rare status, and they continue to face threats from development, drought, and agriculture.

PRESERVATION WORK

Upstate Forever holds conservation easements on almost 700 acres of basic mesic forest along the Lower Pacolet River and Fairforest Creek in Union County and the Saluda River in Greenville County.

If you want to get a feel for just how unique our area is, go to the Glassy Mountain Heritage Preserve just outside the City of Pickens. Follow the walking trail down to the top of the domeshaped granitic outcropping. In the foreground, you will see a pastoral patchwork of farms, pastures, and rolling hills. On the horizon looking north, you get a bird’s-eye view of the famed Blue Wall, a scenic wall of 3,000-foot mountains, including Table Rock, Pinnacle, and Caesars Head.

Now, here’s the key for what the Blue Wall means to biological diversity. That tremendous, two-thousand-foot drop in elevation from the peak of Table Rock (3,127 feet elevation), for example, to the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway near the foot of the mountain (1,200 feet elevation), results in several geological, meteorological, and botanical effects. First, it produces waterfalls with their own spray-zone habitats and plant communities, and it also produces thermal updrafts that lead to the highest rainfall rates of any region in the Palmetto State. These are the same thermal updrafts that — in the fall of the year — thousands of raptors effortlessly drift along in their fall migrations.

But perhaps most importantly of all, that dramatic elevational change along the Blue Wall and throughout the Blue Ridge Province results in a diversity of plant and animal habitats that rivals any found in other physiographic regions of North America.

Down at the base of Table Rock and throughout the mountains of South Carolina, you will find rich Appalachian Cove habitats, home to some of our most attractive and cherished spring wildflowers. This is where you will find the luxurious, maroon-flowered Vasey’s trillium, bloodroot, showy orchis, hepatica, trout lily, Jack-in-the pulpit, yellow lady slipper, and many, many more.

On the other hand, up at the higher elevations of the storied Table Rock* Mountain, you will find another, totally different habitat type — south facing rock outcroppings. It would be hard to overstate the ecological significance of these high-elevation, south-facing rock outcroppings. Suffice it to say that they are refugial habitats for plant communities of a bygone era that date back to prehistoric times. They range from prairie-type plants such as prickly pear cactus, beargrass yucca, granite stonecrop, Cliff saxifrage, Appalachian fameflower, Appalachian sandwort and elf orpine, to plants more commonly found in subtropical habitats along the coast of SC; such as pitcher plants, blazing star, dwarf buckeye, and several orchids. Each individual rock outcropping has its own unique mix of rock outcrop plants.

If you want to see an impressive array of rock outcrop endemic plants and other woodland wildflowers, spend a morning on the walking trail on the aforementioned Glassy Mountain Heritage Preserve during the spring flowering season. This ancient monadnock offers stunning vistas and is a literal garden of wildflowers, trees, shrubs and vines.

If you go to the SC Nature Conservancy’s 560-acre Nine Times Preserve in Pickens County, you can park on one end of the preserve at Little Eastatoe creek and walk fifty yards to find an impressive display of Appalachian Cove wildflowers. You can then take a short drive to the other end of the preserve and ascend the ridge adjacent to the parking lot where rock outcrop endemic wildflowers thrive in this austere, hot, dry environment. Caution — tread very carefully. The rock outcrop plant communities on the nature preserve are very sensitive, fragile ecosystems.

These south-facing rock outcrops are, in a sense, refugial habitats for many prairie-adapted plants of an earlier era. A number of these rock outcrop endemics have conspicuous, densely matted hairs along their stems and leaves, a water conservation adaptation of indigenous desert flora. Woolly ragwort (Packera tomentosus) is a classic example of this characteristic.

The flora of the Nine Times Preserve and the Naturaland Trust Big Rock Mountain Preserve, located across the road, are good examples of yet another reason for our biodiversity. We are at the southern limit for many northern species that range as far north as Canada, and the northern limit for a number of subtropical species more commonly found along the coastal region of South Carolina.

In other areas of the South Carolina mountains and piedmont, we have more regionally significant habitats that support rare, threatened and endangered species of wildflowers and plant communities. Mountain and Piedmont bogs, called “fens” by plant ecologists, may be home to showy species like swamp pink and the endangered bunched arrowhead, which is only found in the Enoree and Reedy River watersheds in Greenville County and in two isolated populations in North Carolina.

The diminutive dwarf-flowered heartleaf is a real conservation success story. This low-growing evergreen plant of wet forests is endemic to areas in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Cherokee counties in SC and three counties in North Carolina. Due to extensive efforts to preserve remaining habitats, the plant has been proposed for delisting as “Threatened,” from the Endangered Species Act. It can be seen at the Peter’s Creek Preserve in Spartanburg County.

Appalachian coves feature circumneutral or basic soils, but we also have acidic coves where you can find some real beauties among the annual spring wildflower display — species such as Indian paintbrush, gay wings, woodland pinkroot and yellow honeysuckle, a native plant first described by Governor John Drayton, an amateur naturalist, on Paris Mountain near Greenville in 1798. We also have more than our share of socalled Southern Appalachian endemics, plants that only occur from Virginia to our southern mountains.

The final factor that accounts for our remarkable biodiversity is the age of Blue Ridge Mountains. They are among the oldest mountains on earth. This has several implications for biological diversity. First, it accounts for the four major river gorges — Whitewater, Thompson, Toxaway, and Horsepasture, which have been deeply incised into the surrounding terrain through millennia of erosion; along with several minor gorges like Eastatoe gorge in the Jocassee Gorges property. All these gorges are home to unique sprayzone and cove habitats unlike anything else in the region. 

It’s in this area that we find the celebrated Oconee bells, first described by French botanist Andre Michaux in 1788, a plant that eluded plant hunters for nearly a hundred years before it was finally re-discovered in what is now the Lake Jocassee watershed. Nineteenth century scientists recognized Oconee bells as a “tertiary plant,” which means they have been here since the Tertiary Period, an older term used to designate the time period between 66 and 2.5 million years ago.

The ancient erosional wearing down of these grand old mountains also accounts for the deep rich soils in the coves and floodplains of the Southern Appalachians, and those extremely fertile soils support a truly impressive diversity of plants and animals — some of which likely would have gone extinct many, many years ago if not for all these unique refugial habitats in our area.

Just to put a fine point on how old the Blue Ridge Mountains are, we have plants such as shining club moss, ferns, and running pine (Lycopedium sp.), for example, that predate the advent of flowering plants 130 million years ago. Also, up near Sassafras Mountain, there is an extremely rare, itsy-bitsy spider that has a genetically identical counterpart in West Africa. Harvard scientists interpret that to mean that the spider on Sassafras has been there since Pangaea broke up to form the world’s continents and oceans 200 million years ago.

From a cultural perspective, we have good archaeological evidence of Native American occupation of this area for thousands of years. Clovis artifacts, the oldest artifacts in North America, have been found in the mountains and piedmont of South Carolina, providing positive proof that the Clovis people, the first humans on the continent, were living here 14,000 years ago.

Archaeologists have also found several thousand petroglyphs (ancient Native American rock carvings) scattered throughout the mountains and piedmont regions of SC. These prehistoric petroglyphs are thought to date to the Late Archaic to Early Woodland Period, between 1,500 and 2,500 years ago.

The Hopewell Culture migrated through our area during roughly that same period, leaving hundreds of their ceremonial mounds in South Carolina, primarily concentrated here in the northwest corner of the mountain and piedmont regions. The Cherokee people, once the largest, most powerful tribe in the Southeast, have lived in this area for at least a thousand years, leaving a rich, well documented cultural history.

All of the above helps make it understandable that several years ago National Geographic named the Jocassee Gorges region “one of the 50 last great places on earth to visit.” On your next walk in the woods, take a few moments to appreciate and celebrate both our biological diversity and the legacy of our extensive cultural history. This would also be a good time to reflect upon the fact that folks from Upstate Forever, and a number of other conservation organizations, have been working every day for decades to preserve and protect our vast natural and cultural resources.

*Note: This essay was written before the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires. Dennis and his wife Jane live on his family’s homeplace in the shadow of Table Rock, where his ancestors have been deeply rooted since 1796.

Thankfully, Dennis and Jane are doing fine in the aftermath of this harrowing event, although he acknowledges that this historic fire will likely affect the ecology and appearance of the burned areas for decades to come.

We are all grateful to the brave and tireless crews who worked so hard to preserve this special area, and the generous folks who supported them. We find hope in the new seasons and nature's resilience.

About the Author

Dennis Chastain is an award-winning outdoor writer, historian, tour guide, and interpretive naturalist. Once described by the Greenville News as a “modern day Daniel Boone,” he has spent most of his adult life exploring, photographing, and writing about the South Carolina Mountains.

Along the way he has made a number of important discoveries, including wildflowers never recorded in Pickens County, the remnants of long forgotten roads and Native-American trails, and numerous prehistoric rock carvings on Pinnacle and Table Rock Mountains. 

Click here to read a digital copy of the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of the Upstate Advocate

The Upstate is a rare gem.

This corner of the world is awash in natural wonders. It's a beautiful, intricate tapestry of ecosystems, species, and landscapes — all of which are integral to the health of our environment and our overall quality of life. You can read all about them in this issue of the Upstate Advocate.

But first, I'd like to focus on something else that makes the Upstate so truly remarkable — the people. Folks around here are warm, resourceful, thoughtful, and resilient, even in the face of challenges or uncertainty.

I'd like to especially thank Dennis Chastain and Glenis Redmond for their contributions to this publication. Dennis is a wealth of knowledge about the natural world, and a born storyteller. He and his wife Jane are pillars of the Pickens community, and I was relieved to hear that they are safe and sound after the Table Rock complex fires earlier this spring.

As for Glenis, she and I go way back to the tiny town of Due West, SC, where we both attended Erskine College. Glenis is now a celebrated author and the City of Greenville's inaugural poet laureate, and we were thrilled when she agreed to honor us with a poetry reading at this year's ForeverGreen Luncheon.

I'll end with an exciting announcement: thanks to your support, we have officially closed the Generations Campaign at $8.7 million — 25% above our initial goal! Many thanks to our Campaign Steering Committee, especially co-chairs John Bauknight and Christie Nachman, who dedicated countless hours to this effort. Read more here.

I'm constantly humbled and inspired by our supporters and partners as we work together to enhance our beautiful region. If you're reading this, that includes you.

Thank you, and be well.

Aldon Knight, Executive Director

Click here to read a digital copy of the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of the Upstate Advocate

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. 

TR's Planning & Development Committee, comprised of five TR city council members, affirmed the city's planning commission's recommendation to deny the project following overwhelming public opposition at the April 24 public hearing.

Huge thanks and congratulations to everyone who engaged TR's elected and appointed leaders with courtesy and respect.

Next steps

Please reach out to thank these four TR City Council members on the Planning & Development Committee who voted "NO" on the annexation and rezoning request for the Inn at Altamont:

• Council Member Kelly Byers (kelly@travelersrestsc.com)
• Council Member Shaniece Criss (shaniece@travelersrestsc.com)
• Council Member Sherry Marrah (sherry@travelersrestsc.com)
• Council Member Brantly Vest (brantly@travelersrestsc.com)

Why UF opposed the Inn at Altamont project

• Construction of the hotel and associated parking lots would without a doubt negatively impact sensitive ecological features of the mountain, a steep terrain with largely contiguous forest and a healthy population of wildlife where the project is proposed.
   
• Construction would also pose a direct threat to headwaters of the Reedy River — critical for water quality.
   
• Approval would set a dangerous precedent for using annexation to side-step Greenville County's "Environmentally Sensitive District" zoning — a tool intended to prevent such high-intensity development in this location.
   
• Millions of private and public dollars have been invested in Paris Mountain’s protection so the community can enjoy a natural respite within an otherwise urbanized area.

In closing, thank you again to the many residents of Travelers Rest and Greenville County at-large who raised their voices in opposition, knowing there are places in the Upstate so beautiful, ecologically important, and iconic that their highest and best use is their natural state.

Stronger protections must be enacted soon to better protect Paris Mountain, but for the moment, breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate this victory for our local environment.

Upstate Forever’s ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon celebrates individuals and organizations for significant contributions in fields related to conservation and sustainable growth. 

2025 Honorees

This year's honorees were three passionate individuals who have made an indelible impact on the region's natural resources:

TOMMY WYCHE LAND CONSERVATION CHAMPION
Honorable Ted Shehan, for his decades-long commitment to public service and volunteer efforts to expand awareness of natural resource conservation initiatives

CLEAN WATER CHAMPION
Melanie Ruhlman, President of Save Our Saluda, for her tireless efforts to protect rivers and streams in the Saluda River Basin and across the state of South Carolina

PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEAR
Representative Patrick Haddon, for his visionary leadership role in the Working Lands Preservation Act, which makes land conservation more accessible for South Carolina’s farmers

Guest Speaker

We were honored to welcome Greenville's inaugural Poet Laureate, Glenis Redmond, who read a selection from The Song of Everything, a collection of poems published in 2024 that documents the poet’s experiences in South Carolina State Parks. Glenis is a Baldwin Fellow 2024-2025 and a Poet Laureate Fellow 2023 as selected by the American Academy of Poets. She was chosen to be a Citizen Diplomat with the Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center. 

view luncheon photos

Re-live the celebration by flipping through our 2025 ForeverGreen photo album. View the photos on Flickr

View the digital program

In lieu of printed programs and in an effort to conserve natural resources, the event program containing the agenda, award recipient information, and more is now available in a digital format. Download the PDF

Watch the honoree videos

Award nominators, Upstate Forever staff, and award recipients reflect on the contributions of this year's honorees. Watch the videos on YouTube

Thank you, sponsors

This annual celebration of conservation leaders is made possible by the generosity of these sponsors.

- emerald sponsor - 

- forest sponsor -

- Spruce sponsors -

- cedar sponsors -

All funds raised in the campaign provide support to continue critical conservation efforts, and will have a significant impact on the future of Upstate South Carolina. With this support, we will:

• Accomplish our goal of protecting 50,000 acres of high-priority lands, including smaller, ecologically valuable properties and those near waterways.
• Continue our advocating for policies that balance growth with conservation, ensuring a sustainable future for our communities and natural spaces.
• Engage more citizens, empowering them to protect the places they love.
• Enhance clean water and land management programs, restoring and improving the health of conserved lands and waters for long-term resilience.

A special thank you to our Campaign Steering Committee for their dedication and support throughout this journey. Your leadership and commitment were instrumental in making this success possible. We are grateful to:

Christie Nachman and John Bauknight (Co-Chairs), Brad Wyche, Evan Cramer, Nikki Grumbine, Gina Hartness, Doug Harper, Carson Johnson, John Keith, Erwin Maddrey, Rob Howell, and Mark Taylor.

Again, thank you to everyone whose contributions made this campaign a success, and to all who provide support for the work of Upstate Forever. Your gifts are the engine of this vital work, and we are grateful to each of you!

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.

Upstate Forever strongly opposes this project and urges elected and appointed officials to reject this annexation proposal.

How you can help

The Travelers Rest Planning Commission will host a public hearing on the annexation request at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 24 at TR city hall (125 Trailblazer Drive, 29690).
 
To speak at this public hearing, you must sign up in person between 4:00 - 5:55 pm on April 24. The sign-up sheet will be located at City Hall outside of Council Chambers. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person. Residents of Travelers Rest will be called upon to speak first.
 
If you are unable to attend the public hearing on April 24:

• Contact Planning Director Jay Martin to express your concerns about the project
• Contact Travelers Rest City Council Members to urge their “no” vote to this annexation request

Why do we oppose the Inn at Altamont?

More than 13,000 concerned individuals have signed a petition opposing the project. Hundreds attended a developer-hosted community meeting in February to voice their opposition, and multiple local conservation groups have come out against it. Most recently, Greenville County Council unanimously adopted a resolution expressing their opposition.

There are many reasons to be seriously concerned about this project and annexation request:

• Construction of the hotel and associated parking lots would without a doubt negatively impact the sensitive ecological features of the mountain, a steep terrain with largely contiguous forest and a healthy population of wildlife where the project is proposed.
   
• Construction would also pose a direct threat to headwaters of the Reedy River that dominate the project's lower parcel — critical for water quality.
   
• Approval would set a dangerous precedent for using annexation to side-step Greenville County's "Environmentally Sensitive District" zoning — a tool intended to prevent such high-intensity development in this location.
   
• Millions of private and public dollars have been invested in Paris Mountain’s protection so the community can enjoy a natural respite within an otherwise urbanized area.

If this project goes forward, it will do so for the enjoyment of visitors at the expense of local community members.

Aerial photo of Paris Mountain by Mac Stone

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DRAFT FROM THE CITY'S WEBSITE

A comprehensive plan is the visionary tool that guides future development and redevelopment over the next decade, while a UDO actually implements the vision through zoning and land management regulations. Although the recommendations included in the comprehensive plan are not legally binding, the plan sets the stage for priorities and projects to come.

Here are a few highlights from the City of Anderson's draft comp plan

• Zoning and development: The plan recommends updating zoning codes to prioritize projects — such as missing middle housing — that promote higher-density, walkable communities. This ensures the city will be in a better position to meet the needs of a growing community.
   
• Transportation and mobility: Wish Anderson was more walkable? This plan supports walkability by encouraging land development patterns that enhance connectivity, which helps give users of all ages and abilities more options for mobility and transportation. 
   
• Economic development: In addition to encouraging mixed-use development near commercial centers, the plan recommends prioritizing the development of pedestrian-oriented streets featuring connected sidewalks and trails.
   
• Natural resources: Calling all park lovers! The plan recommends that the city strategically acquire land to develop neighborhood and mini parks in areas where community parks are not in walking distance.

How you can get involved

Comprehensive plans should be a true reflection of community needs and priorities, so it is incredibly important that your voice is heard as we near adoption!

Upcoming ways to engage in the process:

• Drop-in at a "Plan This City" open house (102 N Murray Ave, Anderson, SC 29625)
  • Wednesday, February 19 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
  • Thursday, February 20 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
     
• Submit comments, questions, or concerns on the draft
   
• Speak at the public hearing before the planning commission on Thursday, February 20 at 6:00 PM (401 S Main St, Anderson, SC 29624)
   
• Join Upstate Forever's Anderson Land Planning & Policy Updates email list to receive updates on opportunities to engage with the Plan This City initiative

Every January the entire team reflects on the statement we made in 2020, and we set goals that we hope will shape our internal and external DEI efforts in the year ahead. Come December we report on the progress we’ve made across all four programs and among all support staff. We are thankful to all the community partners and leaders who helped us realize our goals this year.

Below is our 2024 status update regarding the goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion set forth in 2020.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

We envision a future that is healthy, vibrant, and prosperous. To realize that vision, we know it is vitally important and essential to our core values that we engage the diverse community we serve.

1. To develop and advance long-lasting, equitable solutions for balanced growth and natural resource protection, our leadership is committed to working intentionally to engage a broader base of Upstate residents in the coming years.

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to:

Our Energy & State Policy team:

• Presented on energy efficiency program offerings from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Duke Energy Carolinas to the Hispanic Alliance and the SC Energy Justice Coalition.
   
• Partnered with UF’s Land Planning & Policy team as hosts for an Advocacy Happy Hour that educated community members on Duke’s IRP and the Greenville Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). This event was attended by a diverse group of citizens who expressed their interest in staying engaged with UF on energy and land use issues.
   
• Participated in an initiative lead by Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) and Duke University’s Nicholas Institute called the Southeast Energy Insecurity Project (SEIP). The focus of this project is to establish a “one-stop shop” for access to all energy efficiency and weatherization programs offered by the State. This resource is being developed with heavy consideration of individuals who live in vulnerable communities around the southeast.
   
• Shared energy burden survey data with Wofford College and Strategic Spartanburg to help inform their application narrative for the Community Change Grant funded by the IRA. Wofford is hoping to conduct an in-depth study on energy burden specifically in Spartanburg County and use the findings to help influence local and state policy.
   
• Encouraged participation in Duke Energy Carolinas rate case and Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) proceedings at the PSC. We distributed one-pagers to neighborhood leaders in Greenville that included pointers on delivering public testimony and submitting comments to the Commission.
   
• Collaborated on a webinar with Conservation Voters of South Carolina (CVSC) that focused on bridging the generational gap between young conservation champions of diverse backgrounds and more seasoned experts in the conservation community.

Our Land Conservation team:

• Engaged the UF Board and Land Trust Committee about the Little Africa community and are in the process of arranging introductions to landowners in the neighborhood.
   
• Met with Chief Lamar Nelson of the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois & United Tribes of South Carolina and are working with stakeholders to determine local solutions to address their desire to access a new pow wow facility.
   
• Conducted a landowner outreach event in Eastatoe with the intent to reach Black landowners.
   
• Coordinated efforts, along with the Greenville County Historic Natural Resources Trust, for the Greenville County Open Space Committee to tour important sites around the jurisdiction, including H&G Produce which is among the few Black owned farms in the County.
   
• Worked with the Palmetto Conservation Corps who try to recruit with diversity in mind. We continue to seek opportunities to engage with a more diverse group of restoration professionals.

Our Clean Water team:

• Researched funding opportunities focused on addressing water quality and/or quantity issues in vulnerable communities in the Upstate and attended 11 webinars on environmental justice and equity-focused initiatives.
   
• Contextualized our clean water work related to environmental justice in our quarterly newsletter, The Water Log.
   
• Continued to provide financial support to low-income homeowners for septic repairs in our 319 grant areas. 319 grants provide cost-share assistance to homeowners.
   
• Partnered with The Tyger River Foundation to advocate for the inclusion of recreational amenities and projects that would appeal to a wide range of user groups (interests, ages, and ability levels) throughout the Tyger River Recreation Region planning effort.

Our Land Planning & Policy team:

• Hosted a successful and increasingly diverse Citizens Planning Academy (CPA)
   
• Attended neighborhood meetings, focusing on communities of color, to promote applying for our CPA and reached out to organizations that work with local communities of color (REEM, Hispanic Alliance, United Way, and the HEAL board) in order to ensure a diverse audience/applicant pool.
   
• Reported an increase in our 25-54 age group for the CPA this year as compared to previous years.
   
• In 2023, 83% of CPA participants self-identified as Caucasian and 17% self-identified as a person of color. In 2024, 52% of CPA participants self-identified as Caucasian and 48% of CPA participants self-identified as a person of color. 
   
• One CPA session featured a moderated panel discussion with a women-led panel, mostly minority women.
   
• Piloted an offer of child-care vouchers to cover a portion of childcare costs incurred by attendees at our August advocacy training in Greer, attempting to make our programming more accessible to caregivers with young children.
   
• Successfully advocated for strengthened land policies in several jurisdictions, developing our positions with consideration, evaluation, and analysis of potential impacts (positive, negative, neutral, intended, unintended) on underserved communities and/or communities of color. We collaborated with Impact Greenville, TreesUpstate, and other partners when appropriate to identify where tensions exist between partners' policy priorities and explore mitigation strategies to address unintended consequences.

2. We will build staff knowledge and capacity related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will frequently ask ourselves — who is impacted by this work, and how is their voice represented in the conservation and advocacy solutions we seek? We will amplify the stories of underrepresented stakeholders in the conservation movement — especially people of color.

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to:

• Began a year-long effort to evaluate and strengthen our internal work culture with a focus on ingraining DEI into every aspect of our culture and improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among staff.
   
• In March, the Deputy Director initiated a discussion about organizational culture, focusing on how UF staff perceives the internal culture.
   
• In June, the DEI facilitator completed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate through eCornell in December of 2023, which offered courses on Improving Engagement; Counteracting Unconscious Bias; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Work; and Fostering an Inclusive Climate.
   
• In July-October, the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and DEI facilitator drafted updated organizational values, received staff feedback, and are working to put them in staff materials to help guide work culture moving forward.
   
• In February 2024, the Communications team conducted an interview with Executive Director of the WeGOJA Foundation Dawn Dawson that was published on the blog and posted to all social media channels. Dawn shared details on The Green Book of SC: A Guide to African American Cultural Sites, which we highlighted in honor of Black History Month.
   
• In May, the Deputy Director, DEI Facilitator, and Land Policy Grassroots Specialist met with the Chief Diversity Officer of the City of Greenville, Bryant Davis, who offered suggestions for how to create an inclusive workplace culture at UF that occurs by design instead of default.
   
• In October, three staff members attended the Greenville Chamber’s Diversity and Economic Inclusion Summit. The theme of the summit was EVERYONE, capturing the idea that creating an environment where everybody truly belongs is everyone’s responsibility. Upstate Forever served as a bronze-level sponsor for the event.
   
• Both the Spring and Fall issues of our publication The Upstate Advocate featured people of color voicing their connection to place. The Spring issue showcased the work of City of Greenville Planning Commissioner, Pamela Adams, and how she empowers others in place-making. The Fall issue showcased a piece about Pearlie Mae Suber Harris — “Where the trains came up the mountains” — who grew up on the Saluda Grade Railway, which is now the Saluda Grade Rail Trail. The article was written by Carolyn Baughman for Conserving Carolina, who granted UF permission to republish it.

3. Finally, we will take deliberate steps to build authentic community partnerships and cultivate new leaders at all levels of our organization — from our membership to our staff to our board — to ensure that we better represent the community we serve.

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to:

• In January, Land Policy Grassroots Specialist Tre'Dessa Smalls joined UF and the Land Planning and Policy team and has worked diligently to expand UF’s outreach in communities of color in the Greenville area.
   
• In an effort to build a board that better represents the community we serve, the Board Nominating and Governance Committee continues actively seeking recommendations for community members well-suited for board service who would also expand board diversity. The board includes three members of color, one member from the Hispanic community, and five women. We continue exploring ways to expand the diversity of our candidate pool for open positions.

If you have any questions about our DEI work at Upstate Forever, please contact Elizabeth Swails at eswails@upstateforever.org. 

How long have you called the Upstate home?
I have lived in Greenville for 18 years. I moved here to be closer to my parents and because I fell in love with the Upstate and the amazing and inclusive people here.

What makes you happy?
I love spending quality time with my family, hiking, walking in my neighborhood, reading, playing tennis with my friends, traveling, and going on adventures. My happy place is being in nature with the warmth of the sun on my face!

What sparked your interest in working with Upstate Forever?
At any level of engagement, others involved with Upstate Forever are wonderfully interesting and interested people. It’s an active and compassionate organization and I am honored to be a part of it!

Why is Upstate Forever’s mission — to protect the critical lands, waters, and unique character of the Upstate — important to you?
I grew up in a small town in rural Ohio. My parents' answer for any of my complaints was, “go outside.” As an adult, I worked 25 years in the mental health field — studies prove a strong link between time spent in nature and positive mental health and physical wellness. Stressed? Go outside. Bored? Go outside. Need a reset? Go outside. Upstate Forever values and protects our environment, which I know is vital to the positive mental health and physical wellness of our community. Their work ensures that we will always have places to spend time outdoors.

What do you love most about the Upstate?
This question is too hard to answer! Asking what I love most about the Upstate is like asking me which of my cats I love the most!

Click here to read a digital copy of the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 issue of the Upstate Advocate

The secret to our success? People.

We say it all the time — our people are Upstate Forever's greatest asset. As a conservation and advocacy nonprofit, our work's success hinges on the knowledge, skills, and dedication of UF staff members. And I am proud to say that our team is truly exceptional.

Whether they're leading an advocacy training session, testifying at the Statehouse, analyzing GIS data, or guiding a landowner through the conservation easement process, our team members approach their jobs with the highest levels of professionalism and poise.

Not only do these folks have the specialized expertise and credentials to fulfill our mission, they have the passion and personality necessary to tackle this challenging work. The relationships they form, and the trust they build, are truly at the heart of creating positive change in our rapidly developing region.

If we were to feature all of our staff members with full details of their jobs and successes, this magazine would weigh twenty pounds. So in this issue of the Upstate Advocate, we've chosen to highlight a handful of people, each representing a different aspect of UF's work.

I hope you enjoy reading about Chris, Allie, Michael, Lauren, and Rebecca in their own words — what their workdays look like, why their work matters, and how they envision the Upstate's future.

As talented and driven as our team is, we could not do this work without you. Your support is the reason we exist, and we consider it a privilege to work on your behalf to protect land, safeguard water, and advocate in defense of our finite natural resources. That makes you an essential member of our team, and we thank you.

Aldon Knight
Executive Director
Upstate Forever

Click here to read a digital copy of the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 issue of the Upstate Advocate

Here's a look at just a few highlights of our work this year — made possible by your generous support...

Our Land Conservation team has protected more than 3,300 acres since this time last year through conservation easements and partner projects like: 

• Hereford Hill Farm, a 101-acre working family-owned ranch in Southern Greenville County,
• Keowee Ridge, a 67-acre organic hobby farm that offers free-range eggs, apples, honey, and goat byproducts on a peninsula on Lake Keowee in Pickens County,
• White Tract Addition, a 512-acre expansion to protected properties along the Blue Ridge Escarpment along the Stateline in Northern Greenville County, and others.

Our Clean Water team successfully completed a Watershed-Based Plan for the Twelvemile Creek Watershed, which encompasses the eastern portion of Pickens County extending southwest to Lake Hartwell, and have started another for the Rocky River Watershed, which contains sections of both Anderson and Abbeville Counties.

Our Clean Water team also worked closely with The Tyger River Foundation and other partners to finalize a master plan for The Tyger River Recreation Region, a 20-mile recreation and eco-tourism corridor in Spartanburg County.

Together with Clean Water, our Land Planning & Policy team celebrated the results of more than a decade of advocacy when Greenville County adopted an ordinance requiring least a 50' wide riparian buffer for new development along all Waters-of-the-State in unincorporated areas. Pickens County also adopted similar requirements.

Alongside community partners, our Land Planning & Policy team also worked to successfully galvanize Greenville residents and advocates to encourage County Council to adopt the Unified Development Ordinance, another impactful policy that was years in the making. 

Additionally, dozens of Upstate residents participated in advocacy trainings to increase their knowledge and efficacy as advocates for land use policies that support smarter growth.

Our Energy & State Policy team worked with partners at the Statehouse to pass several important bills, including the Working Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, Endangered Species Data Protection Act, Trails Tax Credit Bill, and funding for the South Carolina Conservation Bank. 

We launched the Generations Campaign, an initiative to fund our work to protect the region’s critical lands, waters, and unique character for the years to come. Because of your support, we are closing in on our goal to secure $7 million to meet the challenges our region is experiencing, amplify our impact, and exponentially grow protections for the Upstate’s lands and waters in the years ahead.

Lastly, this year the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy — which includes Upstate Forever, Conserving Carolina, and PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well — officially entered into a contract to purchase the Saluda Grade rail line and corridor for a proposed rail trail running approximately 31 miles from Upstate South Carolina to Western North Carolina.

This is just a snapshot of the work our team was able to accomplish this year — and none of it would have been possible without the support of generous folks like you.

If you would like to help us carry this momentum in to 2025 and beyond, please consider supporting our work by year-end.

Support our work

Under Andrea’s leadership, UF protected approximately 12,600 acres across the Upstate, realized a $1.5 million settlement for water quality in Anderson County, and helped secure millions of new dollars for land conservation. Those are just a few of her many accomplishments.

We are forever grateful for Andrea's visionary tenure at UF.

RESOLUTION OF COMMENDATION AND APPRECIATION FOR ANDREA COOPER
UPSTATE FOREVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2015-2024

WHEREAS, Andrea Cooper has been a conservation champion for her entire adult life; and

WHEREAS, Andrea’s career has included conservation work as well as engagement in the commercial real estate development industry; and

WHEREAS, the combination of those elements of her background came together in 2015 as Upstate Forever sought the first successor to its founding executive director; and

WHEREAS, Andrea served in that role with distinction until March 2024; and

WHEREAS, throughout that period, Andrea enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Upstate Forever Founder Brad Wyche, cultivating and enhancing his continued productive engagement in the organization; and

WHEREAS, Andrea’s tenure as executive director saw immense growth in the organization, including the recruiting and maintaining of excellent staff experts in each programmatic and administrative function; and

WHEREAS, under Andrea’s leadership the organization’s finances tripled and became more unrestricted, allowing the organization to grow strategically; and

WHEREAS, through Andrea’s leadership the Upstate Forever board of directors as well as numerous organizational practices and policies became institutionalized; and

WHEREAS, Andrea successfully oversaw Upstate Forever’s strategic plans in for 2018-2022 and 2023-2027; and

WHEREAS, Andrea took the visionary view that the key to timely and effective conservation in our growing region is funding, advocating successfully for significant funding for conservation and resiliency at the local, state, federal, and private giving levels; and

WHEREAS, in the interest of increasing quick-strike conservation funding, Andrea spearheaded the Upstate Land Conservation Fund, an Upstate Forever-managed direct funding source which has raised over $2 million, greatly enhancing landowners’ abilities to overcome financial hurdles in protecting their properties and providing much-needed matching dollars for state and other funders; and

WHEREAS, Andrea also provided leadership and integral support in the establishment and initial funding of the Greenville Historic and Natural Resources Trust and, through her advocacy, helped support direct funding for conservation in Spartanburg County’s budget as well, resulting in millions of new dollars for direct land conservation in the Upstate; and 

WHEREAS, alongside other partners and through the leadership of Board Member Glenn Hilliard, Andrea helped secure funding and political support for the Saluda Grade Trail, a planned 31-mile rail trail years in the making, which is set to transform the Upstate’s outdoor recreation landscape and economic opportunities; and

WHEREAS, in concert with The Tyger River Foundation and other Spartanburg leaders, Andrea was a key figure in laying the groundwork and gaining support for the Tyger River Recreation Region, a planned project that would cover 20 river miles and serve as a regional destination for education, recreation, and event-based eco-tourism; and

WHEREAS, through her tenacity and negotiation, Andrea helped realize a $1.5 million settlement fund to protect and remediate water resources in Anderson County — the Anderson County Watershed Protection Fund — as a result of a Clean Water Act lawsuit in response to a 2014 gasoline spill from a Kinder Morgan pipeline; and

WHEREAS, Andrea was instrumental in ensuring that a tract of land near the iconic Glassy Mountain in Pickens County, once slated for a controversial real estate development, was instead permanently protected by a conservation easement; and

WHEREAS, during Andrea’s tenure, Upstate Forever closed/protected approximately 12,600 acres identified by the innovative Critical Lands Mapping Project as exceptionally significant for water and habitat quality, including sizeable additions to Jones Gap and Paris Mountain State Parks; critical riparian lands like Nesbitt Shoals, Eastatoe Headwaters, and the Saluda Mitigation Bank; and important habitat for endangered species like the bunched arrowhead, Oconee bell, and dwarf heartleaf; and iconic properties like Grant Meadow, Soapstone Church, and Oconee Town; and

WHEREAS, through all of the above and much more, Andrea presided over an incredibly successful growth period for Upstate Forever and, thus, led an inspiring organization to become a chief catalyst for smart growth, environmental advocacy, and land and water protection in the Upstate;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Upstate Forever Board of Directors expresses its heartfelt appreciation to Andrea Cooper for her inspirational leadership and many accomplishments as Upstate Forever Executive Director. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that while the Board acknowledges the continuing threats to our natural resources in the Upstate, it also acknowledges with grateful appreciation that Andrea Cooper’s contributions as Upstate Forever Executive Director have enhanced the Upstate’s trajectory towards a bright future.

BE ALL OF THIS RESOLVED this tenth day of September 2024.

The Upstate Forever Board of Directors

A few updates: we are happy to report that our staff members and their families are safe. Our offices are open, and although several members of staff are still waiting on power or internet access, we are working as usual. We’ve continued to reach out to our supporters, partner organizations, and other friends in the community to assess needs and provide assistance where we can, both as UF staff and as private individuals.

We’ve also contacted the many folks who have worked with Upstate Forever to place their properties under conservation easements. Some of them experienced significant impacts to their protected properties due to the high winds and heavy rain. Our land trust team is working with them to provide support and resources as they recover.

We have faith in the resiliency of our communities and hope for our recovery together. Please take care of each other, and consider supporting local relief organizations and other nonprofits offering direct services to those hit hardest by this disaster.

Black Vulture (Coragyps stratus)

First up are these creepy carrion eaters! The black vulture is a common year-round resident in the Upstate. Though they often get judged by their appearance and preference for dining on the dead, these scavengers serve an important role in our region. By cleaning up dead animals, vultures help prevent the spread of diseases and keep our environment clean!

Giant Crevice Orb Weaver (Kukulcania hibernalis) 

Next on our list of creepy critters is the female Giant Crevice Orb Weaver (a.k.a. Southern House Spider). These dark-dwelling arachnids are most likely to be seen in May, both inside and outside. Otherwise, the female stays close to her funnel-like web.

She may look scary, but she and her male counterparts are not dangerous to humans or pets. In fact, they are known to be quite gentle and social, and spiderlings have even been observed recognizing siblings and cooperating to capture food. Avoid the urge to squash these benign web-spinners, as they can live up to 8 years controlling pests in and around your Upstate home.

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virgianus)

The owl of spooky storybook legends, the Great Horned Owl is known for its cat-like eyes that can be seen glowing in the dark and its large feather tufts that resemble horns. If you don’t see them in the darkness, then you’ve surely heard their iconic deep hoots echoing through your neighborhoods or forested parks.

Considered a top predator in the North American ecosystem, this owl plays a vital role in the Upstate’s environment by controlling prey animal populations. If you see one out this Halloween, know that they are working hard to keep our area in ecological balance.

Southern Toad (Bufo [Anaxyrus] terrestris]

Fourth on our list is the warty toad who is often depicted in magical, haunting tales as a witch’s familiar assisting her in her evil designs. But the southern toad is no such thing, and he doesn’t even cause the warts he’s depicted as spreading in folklore.

Instead, these southeastern residents are insect experts who emerge from their burrows at twilight to feast. Along with other species of toads and frogs, these little foragers are a critical indicator species because of their permeable skin that absorbs oxygen and toxins. They are extremely sensitive to changes in air and water quality and can indicate the health of both in our local ecosystem.

House Mouse (Mus muscles)

Our final creepy critter is another creature of the night. Though tiny and cute to some, the house mouse provokes fear in all who see it unexpectedly scurry by. The real plagues of the past gave this little rodent a bad reputation as unwanted vermin, but they are surprisingly beneficial to our regional ecosystem. In fact, they are a keystone species in virtually every terrestrial ecosystem because they create a critical link between plants and predators. They eat plant material (among other things) and predators eat them. Before you get too creeped out by them this Halloween, consider the role they play in the complex web of life in the Upstate.

Even though these critters might scare you, they are essential to our ecosystem. UF's nationally accredited land trust works with landowners both public and private to permanently protect properties across the Upstate through conservation easements. It's on these properties with high quality habitat where wildlife thrive, but these are also creatures you can find in your own backyard. Whether you find them in the city or out in the forested areas of the Upstate, UF works hard to protect the land and water that helps these species, and us, survive. Happy Halloween!

The planned Saluda Grade Trail will travel through Inman, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, Saluda, and Zirconia, passing through vibrant small towns, rolling countryside, and spectacular mountain scenery. The trail will be open for walking, running, biking, birding, and other forms of outdoor recreation.

The trail is spearheaded by a coalition of three nonprofits, which formed the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy: Conserving Carolina; PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well; and Upstate Forever.

Glenn Hilliard, founder and chair of the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy, says, “Working with the talented professionals at Norfolk Southern and with the equally talented and committed teams at Conserving Carolina, PAL, and Upstate Forever has been incredible. Without each and every one of these leaders this agreement would not have been possible. Please reach out and show your appreciation and support to these partners who will continue to work together to assure that the Saluda Grade Trail provides an incredible and iconic resource for the people of North and South Carolina.” 

Kieran Roe, the executive director of Conserving Carolina, says, “We see this trail as a huge asset for our local communities—a place where kids can play safely, where it’s easy to get outside and exercise, where people of all abilities can enjoy the outdoors. It’s an amenity that will strengthen local businesses so they can offer more opportunities for the people who live here.” 

Upstate Forever executive director Aldon Knight, says, “The pandemic taught us that we need more natural spaces for recreation and refuge. The Saluda Grade Trail will provide just that, encouraging safe outdoor recreation and stronger connections to nature, improving quality of life for residents. It’s a visionary project with a return that will far exceed any initial investment.” 

Laura Ringo, the executive director of PAL, says, "The Saluda Grade Trail offers a unique chance to boost public health by providing safe, accessible spaces for physical activity. Regular use for walking, running, and biking can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, spending time in nature reduces stress, enhances mental well-being, and fosters community. This scenic trail will inspire active lifestyles, promoting wellness and a higher quality of life for all." 

Cliff Garner, of Norfolk Southern AVP Real Estate & Facility Services, says, “At Norfolk Southern, we’re committed to helping the communities our rail network touches thrive. We appreciate the partnership from Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy and we look forward to seeing the conservancy’s plans come to fruition.” 

Last summer, the Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy gathered extensive public input about the trail through meetings with landowners, local governments, the business community, and the public, as well as an online survey. This public input is shaping the vision for the trail and there will be additional opportunities for public input throughout the design process. 

The conservancy plans to present the results of a year-long engineering and economic impact study to the public in two meetings this August, one in North Carolina and one in South Carolina. The first meeting will take place on Aug. 6 at 6:00 at Polk County High School. The second meeting will take place Aug. 13 at 6:00 at Gramling United Methodist Church. These presentations will address the rail to trail development process, the existing condition of the trail corridor and bridges, trail design and safety recommendations proposed by the engineering team, and projected regional economic impacts resulting from the project.   

A study is also underway to assess the feasibility of managing a portion of the rail line in North Carolina as an excursion railroad, potentially offering scenic train rides alongside the trail.   

To learn more, sign up for emails, or make a donation to the trail, go to saludagradetrail.org. 

WHY ACCREDITATION MATTERS 

“This continued acknowledgement from the national Land Trust Alliance verifies that Upstate Forever is operating with the best interests of stakeholders like our valued landowners, funders, supporters, and the IRS in mind, but first and foremost, it is a verification for those landowners that trust us with one of their most their precious assets, their land, now and forever,” said Scott Park, Upstate Forever’s Glenn Hilliard Director of Land Conservation. 

ABOUT THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs.  

As a part of the reaccreditation process, the Commission also invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. The public comment period is now open. Comments must relate to how Upstate Forever complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards, please visit: landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-elements 

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS 

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed (518-587-3183) or mailed to: 

Land Trust Accreditation Commission
Attn: Public Comments 

36 Phila Street, Suite 2 
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 

Comments on Upstate Forever’s application will be most useful by Saturday, September 21, 2024. 

We asked four "next generation conservationists" — a.k.a. kids of UF staff members — to share their thoughts on the outdoors. Our interviewees are: Eleanor Burton (4), Bodie and Lewis Hottel (3 and 5), and John Swails (5). Many thanks to them (and to their parents!) for their time and insights.

What is your favorite thing to do outdoors?

ELEANOR: I like to eat outside and play. I like to play tag and stuff. I like going on "Yeti hunts" and going on hikes at Paris Mountain and going birdwatching.

LEWIS: Ninja course and playing with Bodie in our backyard. And my favorite thing to do is the creek.

BODIE (who likes to copy his big brother): Baseball. Ninja course. And the creek at our playground.

JOHN: Play! I like to play zombies with my friends Hunter and Alder. I usually like doing really cool flips on the monkey bars. Double flips. 3, 4, 5 doubled. I keep my flips secret. And Swamp Rabbit Café. I like playing there and doing handstands. I love to eat all the bread.

What do you love about spring and summer?

ELEANOR: I like the baby plants and listening to the birdies. I like summer.

BODIE: It is hot out. It is hot out, mommy. I like going in the creek at the neighborhood playground.

LEWIS: When it’s hot out, you go to the pool.

JOHN: My favorite season is fall when I play soccer and jump in leaf piles. Fall is when Halloween is, and I wear my skeleton costume. About summer, I like the hotness and the pool. I like doing hikes in the spring to Stumphouse Tunnel.

What do you like about where you live?

ELEANOR: I like walking on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. I like the trees and the mountains and playing superheroes.

LEWIS: I like playing with our neighbors next door. They are fun to play with. We play all kinds of games. We always play outside together.

BODIE: Our neighbors. They are fun to play with. We play outside.

JOHN: I like all the parks. I go to them on the weekends. I love the slides – the big slide at Rockwood, the mini golf course park (McPherson Park), Airport Park where the planes blast off and land and the rock wall, the Cleveland Park sandpit (volleyball court) and the exercise equipment. And the Unity Park hills and splash pad.

Is nature important to you?

ELEANOR: Because you can hug a tree or you can plant seeds! That's my job.

LEWIS: It's so important, 'cause everybody likes to play out there.

BODIE: Yeah, everybody likes to play out there!

JOHN: Nature means something that is cool and beautiful. I don’t like breaking nature — it is important.

Lacey Keigley | Founder, Travelers Rest Here

When a job opportunity seventeen years ago had our family’s Suburban heading to South Carolina from Virginia, I started my research of Travelers Rest online before the big move.

A dial up connection and a lack of information kept me curious and required all of my research to be done in person — after we arrived. This turned out to be perfect, allowing me to shop locally and to meet business owners firsthand, to talk to my neighbors and to move me right along to caring deeply about these new friends in my new community.

Travelers Rest really is a best-of-all-worlds sort of community. The base of the Blue Ridge Mountains provides sweeping views and lovely valleys. You can drive to Asheville and Greenville for bigger city needs. You actually know your neighbors and you see them at the market and at weekend events and at the local bookstore.

My experiences here led me to create what I had been looking for a decade earlier — an online presence to connect the folks who lived in TR and the folks who worked in TR and the folks who visited TR: Travelers Rest Here (TRH).

Central to my job at TRH is fostering a love of community for our local residents. This is a delight to me. I find that kindness always comes back to you and I have watched that play out in myriad ways with TRH readers.

When a small business succeeds, when a community member is in need, when a wonderful local event takes place, we’re on the same team. We get to be one another’s cheerleaders. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. When the high school cross country team makes it to the state finals, the entire town lines up along Main Street to cheer them on.

That’s what makes Travelers Rest so special. And that’s where I want to live. That’s where I want to raise my kids. That’s where I want to see a business flourish, where my neighbors are my friends and my friends are looking out for one another.

Another magical part of living here? Afternoon drives to Jones Gap. A morning trek to see the sunrise at Caesars Head. The proximity of uniquely beautiful state parks is a gift I do not take for granted. And although I could easily spend an entire weekend gawking at their beauty, these places are so close, I can fit it into my lunch break if I want to.

I also care deeply for these wild and open spaces and am keenly aware that without them, the entire Upstate would change. I’m grateful for organizations like Upstate Forever who care as deeply as I do and who are working diligently to preserve and protect what makes our area so beautiful.

Your support of Upstate Forever helps ensure communities like Travelers Rest retain their unique local identities, ample green space, and quality of life as our region grows.

Elijah Ackerman | Co-owner, Rabbit Crest Farms

I was five years old when I was adopted by Joyce and Bill at the Pickens County Courthouse in 1994. I still vividly remember sitting on the judge’s knee and swinging the gavel to make it all official.

Joyce and Bill were retired and kept a sizable hobby farm where we housed cutting horses, raised some chickens, and grew enough food to drive around and leave plastic grocery bags full of green beans, ears of corn, yellow squash, and more of the summer’s abundance on strangers’ doorsteps.

What I don’t remember as vividly are the times Joyce and Bill needed to incrementally sell off tracts of their acreage for reasons that I wouldn’t come to understand until adulthood.

When I was almost ten, we moved to a smaller plot in Laurens, and by the time I was in high school, we had moved into a cozy little ranch house in Mauldin. I can’t say I cared much at the time. If anything, I liked living so close to the skatepark and not having to wake up as early to make it to school on time.

It wasn’t until I met my wife Sarah that I noticed a feeling of longing for natural places again. We’d reminisce about the fields and woods that were familiar on our commutes, that were one day there but then gone and turned to mud by the next. We never really put much thought into what we could do about it, not realizing we had been growing the answer in our backyard for a while.

After two years of dating, I had discovered two very important aspects of Sarah: first, she is not a material woman. Second, she absolutely loves tomatoes. These lessons coalesced into the gift of a few packs of specialty heirloom tomato seeds to add to her garden that year. By the next year, we were living together and her single 4x16-foot garden bed grew to four 4x16 beds, with no plans of slowing down.

At the same time, Sarah’s mother, Donna, was growing her own flowers in her garden as she began to provide professional floral work. And then, the Covid-19 pandemic gave us — like so many others — a lack of work and a lot of time to think.

I remember sending the text to Sarah one day, “I think we could do this. Like, for real.” We threw together some logistics with Donna, and the search for land started.

It wasn’t an easy process. I looked at so many tracts of land around Greenville County being sold by folks that reminded me of Joyce and Bill. I wanted that life back, to feel secure in a space full of what I’ve always called “the green,” those open spaces you see out in the foothill country in late spring, with tall grasses rolling down to a treeline with a creek not far behind. I wanted to protect it from development, and make sure it could be shared for all to visit and enjoy.

When we finally found our land, that thought process led to the philosophy that would guide my style of farming — to honor and respect the land first.

This led us to commit to a sustainable, small-scale, organic, no-till, and hands-on farming style. For us, this means in addition to not using chemical sprays or fertilizers, we also shy away from heavy machinery whenever possible that might cause lasting damage to the land, and do as much of the farming as we can by hand, from planting, to harvesting, and even moving soil.

Sarah and I are in our early 30s, much younger than the average farmer, but we are a part of a flourishing and growing generation of younger farmers who are dedicated to sustainability and quality over scale. We fully recognize that large-scale agriculture puts most of the food on most of our tables, even ours, but we believe that it doesn’t necessarily need to stay that way.

As long as more people continue to recognize that land is a finite resource that deserves compassion and respect just like every other member of our community, and as long as we keep earning the support of that community by providing quality, accessible crops, we see a bright future.

This is more important to us than ever since the birth of our little light, Rylan, on July 20, 2023. She already chirps and smiles with delight at the flower arrangements we leave in her room. I see myself in her, and I can’t wait to hear her tell stories of make-believe adventures in the fields and forests several years from now, just like I did to Joyce and Bill.

Places like Rabbit Crest Farms are special, natural, and deserve to be protected, and shared. Farming is a hard life, but we always knew that would be the case and we aren’t giving up. We plan on growing old here, and sharing it with the public however we can, for as long as possible.

In the meantime, we’ll be raising a family who always has a little bit of dirt under their fingernails while growing sustainable, quality flowers and food for our community to the best of our ability.

Your support helps Upstate Forever protect the natural resources and special places that sustain us physically, economically, mentally, and spiritually.

Pamela Adams | Planning Commissioner, City of Greenville

As a teenager, I watched Greenville change from the buses I rode every morning from my Pleasant Valley home off Augusta Road to Berea High School. I took a city bus downtown and transitioned to my school bus at Washington and Main Street, where the old Woolworth’s building was.

I’m originally from Schenectady, NY, and I moved here in 1984 at 15 with my mom. I’ve been here ever since. When changes started to ramp up in Greenville in the early 2000s, I said to myself, “I want to be part of this change — in the right way.”

Years later, I was a Navy veteran and a single mom starting my own interior design business — Dream Designs and Innovations — when I saw the Citizens Planning Academy (CPA) in the Upstate Forever monthly digital newsletter, the Upstate Update. I was offered a scholarship to participate, and I loved it!

The CPA went hand-in-hand with my work as Art in Public Places Commissioner and as a City of Greenville Planning Commissioner. In these roles, I hear from people who don’t understand how to engage with zoning and codes. They don’t know who makes urban design and development decisions about sidewalks, roads, traffic lights, crossing guards, greenspaces, trees, waterways, and conservation.

In the CPA, I learned how to engage as a responsible citizen in these processes and how to educate others to do the same in their neighborhoods. People need to know their municipalities should hear from them — they should know they are passionate and care.

My favorite place in the community — the Dr. E.E. McClaren Medical Shelter in the West End of Greenville — is a great example of a community speaking out for preservation. In 2019, developers were ready to build luxury apartments where the medical shelter stood.

Dr. McClaren founded the clinic in 1949, when most area hospitals were heavily segregated and didn’t accept African American patients. The clinic became a saving grace for African Americans living in Greenville. We were trying to imagine how we could continue Dr. McClaren’s legacy — to honor the sacrifices that he made as a Black physician during Jim Crow and segregation.

We wanted to stop the medical shelter from being demolished and to encourage the developer to help preserve it as a historical relic in Greenville. So I and two others started our advocacy group: Neighborhood and Historical Preservation Advocates.

We served (and still do) as a liaison between the community and decision-makers. We want the histories of those areas told and to have a framework of preservation in place, so all those involved have a role in place-making and place-keeping.

I think about how our children and our children’s children will enjoy the preserved medical shelter in the future in its same location, not stored in a repository or a museum. It’s being transformed into The McClaren Institute for Health and Quality of Life to continue Dr. McClaren’s contributions to Greenville and the health and well-being of the African American community. It is like a dream come true born out of compromise that comes from listening to the community.

I value the resilient residents who call themselves activists and advocates for their neighborhoods, beliefs, and values. Most of their neighborhoods have been historically gentrified and redlined over decades, and they are still trying to come to an agreement with urban design and progress. I value this community most when I see people who are still trying to speak on behalf of their community for preservation.

By supporting Upstate Forever, you will help empower more residents like Pamela to engage with community planning processes through programs like Upstate Forever's Citizens Planning Academy.

Tom and Kathy Baer | Owners of Reeds Run, a recently protected property off Highway 11 in Pickens County

It was our intention from the start to preserve this property, and Upstate Forever gave us the vehicle to accomplish it. We have been familiar with this property for decades, as we have spent much time enjoying Table Rock State Park.

One beautiful fall day, almost three decades ago, our family hiked to the top of Table Rock Mountain. While enjoying the panoramic views, we snapped a picture of our children, not realizing that a portion of the background captured in the picture would become our responsibility to preserve for generations to come. Since that time, we have returned to the top numerous times, and are thankful for the dedication Upstate Forever has in preserving this prestigious landscape.

We feel blessed, as this property went on the market at a time when we were searching for land with “water and a view.” It exceeds our expectations as we enjoy the daily sights and sounds of Reeds Run and another unnamed tributary, as well as the breathtaking view of Table Rock Mountain. 

We are not the only ones that enjoy Reeds Run. A heron frequents the stream in search of nourishment, deer quench their thirst, black bear cool their paws in the heat of summer, and grandchildren explore its wonders in every season.

The breathtaking view of Table Rock Mountain changes on a daily basis. From blue skies and cumulus clouds overhead, to stratus clouds that engulf the entire mountain, each day is a reminder we cannot take anything for granted. We feel strongly that the natural beauty we enjoy is a gift from God, and it is our responsibility to respect and care for all He has created.

We wish to thank all of those at Upstate Forever who helped us accomplish our mission, especially the "boots on the ground," Chris Starker and Lauren Ulich. Through our partnership with Upstate Forever, we are assured this property will continue to be preserved beyond our lifetime for future generations — not only to enjoy the natural beauty and habitat, but to reap the benefits that result from caring for what has been entrusted to us. 

By supporting Upstate Forever, you will make it possible for our nationally accredited land trust to conserve more places like Reeds Run — properties that are critical for the protection of water quality, wildlife habitat, and our vanishing rural landscapes.

Click here to read a digital copy of the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of the Upstate Advocate

Looking forward to it

As I write this, I've been the Executive Director of Upstate Forever for exactly one month. And let me tell you, I've hit the ground running. I've spent time at muddy site visits, in meetings with elected officials, and on countless calls with conservation partners — sometimes all within the same day! 

I want to thank Andrea, the board, and our great staff for entrusting me with this new role. Andrea is truly a tough act to follow, and I'm glad she's sticking around to support UF via donor relations and strategic guidance. 

Our mission at UF has always been to protect the Upstate’s remarkable natural assets and strong communities for future generations. That's important to me — as an Upstate native, a father, and a strong believer in the principle "leave it better than you found it." 

That's why we're launching Generations, a bold $7 million campaign to safeguard the Upstate’s natural resources as the region experiences significant growth and development. Learn more at upstateforever.org/generations

This campaign will fund UF's work to ensure future generations can experience the places that make this corner of the world so special — our mountains, meadows, forests, rivers, small towns, and farms. 

Each individual has a role to play in making this vision a reality. For this issue of the Upstate Advocate, we asked local residents to share how they're working today to "leave it better than they found it" for tomorrow. I hope you'll enjoy their stories of the special places and communities they love in the Upstate. 

Thank you for supporting our work. Because of you, the Upstate will be a wonderful place to live, work, and play — now, and for generations to come. 

Aldon Knight
Executive Director
Upstate Forever

Click here to read a digital copy of the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of the Upstate Advocate

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you?
When I moved to the Upstate in 2012, I fell in love with both the small city of Greenville, and its proximity to parks, nature, mountains, and green spaces. As the area grows and development expands outwards, it's important to me that we protect that unique identity of Greenville and the Upstate.

What does a typical work day for a Land Conservation Operations Coordinator look like?
A lot of my day is spent in front of a computer, with my dog Ellie lying next to me (or even under my desk at the office). But sitting at a laptop is not a stranger to me. With a background in software development, I honed my skills in communication and process management. I now use that experience to help keep the Land Conservation team organized. My days vary but they may be spent contacting third party consultants about due diligence items, meeting with team members to discuss outstanding deliverables and upcoming funding deadlines, updating our Land Conservation & Management software, and anything else that can help our team run more efficiently.

What has been the most unexpected part of your role?
Coming from a different field, there's been so much to learn about the process of land conservation, land trusts, and conservation easements. And while I knew I had much to learn, I've been surprised by the breadth of all the work. I'm excited to become even more familiar with the world of land conservation and all of the different ways I could be involved.

What do you love most about the Upstate?
Having grown up in a small city surrounded by nature, I love that Greenville and the Upstate have a similar feel. Depending on what I want to do, I could grab brunch downtown or hike to a waterfall. Or even do both in a single day! I love being outdoors (especially with my dogs) and having so many options at my fingertips is why I fell in love with the region. 

Where’s your ‘happy place?’
I have so many favorite spots in the Upstate! Conestee Nature Preserve, Paris Mountain, and Lake Jocassee are some of my favorite spots. Outside of the Upstate, one of my favorite places (and favorite national park) is Acadia National Park. My family has been visiting for almost 20 years and I absolutely love it.

Is there a motto, mantra or slogan that drives you?
I remember hearing the following quote when I was a kid (probably from my father who was a science teacher), and it's resonated with me ever since: "We only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught." – Jacques-Yves Cousteau

More about Laura

Laura Smith joined Upstate Forever in the fall of 2023 as the Land Conservation Operations Coordinator. Originally from West Virginia, Laura moved to the Upstate in 2012 to obtain her Masters in Professional Communication from Clemson University. After several years in software development as a production manager, Laura is excited to shift her work towards her love of nature. She now works with the Land Conservation Team to protect key lands and waterways in the Upstate through conservation easements.
 
In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time outdoors — hiking, camping, walking her dogs, playing disc golf, and gardening.

that's according to Executive Director Dawn Dawson-House of the WeGOJA Foundation, a South Carolina organization that has won the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2021 Trustees Award for Organizational Excellence. Since then, the Foundation has helped add over 300 new historical markers and dozens of listings to the National Register, including many sites here in the Upstate. 

In our interview with Dawn learn about how WeGOJA came to be, how they are documenting and providing a travel guide for the over 400 African American cultural sites in The Green Book of South Carolina, and the exciting initiatives they're working on in our region and around the state.

If you are eager to explore these sites this February or any time of year, check out locations near you on The Green Book interactive map. Their location categories can help you narrow down what you're looking to discover whether it be cultural attractions, historic churches or schools, historic cemeteries, and more.

In the Upstate, many of the sites are set against a natural backdrop. We suggest taking a stroll around Soapstone Baptist Church in Pickens (under conservation easement with Upstate Forever), Old City Cemetery in Spartanburg, Fort Hill Slave Quarters in Clemson, and Holly Springs School in Belton. As you visit these sites remember the roles that historic preservation and conservation can play in social justice.                      

How did you get involved with WeGOJA?

WeGOJA was formerly the South Carolina African American Heritage Foundation, and it was the fundraising and boots-on-the-ground support arm of the African American Heritage Commission. We changed the name to WeGOJA Foundation in 2020 to draw a sharper line between the two entities, because even board members and commissioners were getting confused! Click here to see what WeGOJA means. 

The Commission began in 1993 because African American representation in the state’s permanent archival record was minimal. At the time, only 36 sites in SC that were associated with Black History had received historical markers or were listed on the National Register. The Commission could not apply for grants, but the Foundation, as a 501c3, could seek and manage funding, and together they helped acquire more than 300 markers and dozens of listings on the National Register. Both did so much to raise awareness about the possibility of identifying and documenting sites, that property owners, civic leaders, and communities became more engaged in preservation.

Today, WeGOJA has expanded its mission to perform similar work for other organizations.

Meanwhile, from 1989 to 2021, I was working at the SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, most recently as Director of Corporate Communications after serving in tourism marketing and state parks PIO (Public Information Officer) positions. One of SCPRT’s priorities was to assist organizations that helped develop tourism potential across the state. The African American Heritage Commission was recognized as an entity that identified historic sites suited for visitation and, in 2015, SCPRT asked me to serve. The Commission leveraged my knowledge of tourism to create The Green Book of South Carolina in 2017. We received numerous awards and lots of media coverage because of this groundbreaking project.

Why is The Green Book such an important resource for SC?

The Green Book is the state’s only online travel guide to African American historic sites in South Carolina. It’s more than a listing. It provides GPS-based driving directions and information on nearby sites. Its user-friendly mobile platform makes it convenient to find under-discovered history wherever you are in South Carolina, and can be leveraged to draw in younger generations. In 2021, we worked with Hub City Press in Spartanburg to publish a hard-copy edition, and it's still available on Amazon here.

How has The Green Book improved access to cultural sites for African Americans in SC?

While we haven’t had the funds or capacity to invest in conversion studies, our anecdotal evidence suggests that The Green Book is so popular that more communities and property owners want to be a part of it and have taken steps to acquire historical markers for churches, the historic homes of notables, business districts and other historic sites. Some university and college professors have added the online guide to their list of resources for students, and teachers often use it as reference for webinars, workshops, and other professional development. Historic sites have not reported an increase in visitation because of The Green Book, but we believe there is an increase in awareness of the depth of African American history in South Carolina.

How do you see The Green Book evolving in the future?

We’d like it to provide even more options by offering curated tours for cultural group travel. Our wish list includes the development of a Civil Rights tour that we can offer to bus companies for group tours. Other tours include:

• Historic churches, namely AME churches that began during Reconstruction as missionaries arrived to bring “salvation” to the formerly enslaved. Many of those churches, once brush arbors before walls were built, are still standing, or their congregations are still as strong as they were nearly 150 years ago.
• Military tour – from the 1st SC Volunteers and the Civilian Conservation Camps that built parks and public works, to the Harlem Hellfighters who trained (for one week) in Spartanburg, the Tuskegee Airmen who trained near Walterboro, and Dr. Ronald McNair, military heritage in South Carolina is significant, and African Americans contributed to its valor and strength.
• Education tour – including church schools, private academies, Rosenwalds, Equalizations, and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), education was a priority in the African American community, and historic investments in teaching/training the next generation are evident in almost every South Carolina community.
• Briggs vs. Elliott – one of the federal District Court cases used in the arguments for Brown vs. Board began in Clarendon County, South Carolina, and the historic homes, churches, and schools at the center of this case are still standing in these rural communities.
• Settlement Communities – Emancipation resulted in scores of settlement communities across the state. Some of them – like Lincolnville near Summerville – are still standing and have preserved their story and culture.

Of course, our wish list is dependent on funding.

Are there any other initiatives WeGOJA is involved in that you are especially proud of right now or that you'd like to see more public involvement in?

YES! We are working with Conservation Voters of South Carolina to examine extant Rosenwald School sites and structures to determine the feasibility of developing a trail. The goal is to produce a comprehensive report to the SC State Park Service in July 2025, in hopes of developing South Carolina’s first state park dedicated to African American and Jewish heritage.

We are also building an online Preservation Toolkit filled with resources and intuitive how-to guides to help property owners, preservationists, and community leaders find resources to meet their preservation goals. The process of preservation is so complex and expensive that many people drop their efforts before completing their projects. The toolkit will provide funding sources, assistance, collaboration between organizations, and other tools.

Do you have a favorite cultural site in the Upstate?

Personally, I’m super excited about the ECHO Theater in Laurens County, which is turning a former place of hate into a space of hope. I also like the story of the McClaren hospital, shared with me by the Urban League a few months ago, in Greenville, a bold move and incredible investment during the era of Segregation and inequality. But I’m most excited about the Black Heritage Trail that’s under development in Clemson and Seneca. I had no idea those places had significant African American history, and I’d love to keep following their progress and learning more about the African American footprint there.

Be sure to check out The Green Book of South Carolina as you plan your next adventure around the state to learn more about SC's extensive African American history. Also take a look at the WeGOJA Foundation website to see what other initiatives they're working on and upcoming events about South Carolina's African American heritage.

Elizabeth Swails is the Communications Coordinator and DEI Facilitator for Upstate Forever. You can contact her at eswails@upstateforever.org.

I am pleased to announce that Aldon Knight — who has worked in his role as Director of Development and Community Relations since 2015 — will assume the position of Executive Director effective this spring. 

Following my decision to step down, the UF Board of Directors formed a transition committee and worked with a consultant to determine the skillset needed to guide our organization in its next phase. With more than three decades of proven experience in administration, leadership, and fund development roles, Aldon received unanimous support from the board in a vote this past November.

Since joining UF, Aldon has established the Wyche Society major gift program, strategically cultivated planned giving, and orchestrated the successful $8 million “Crossroads” capital campaign. He is native to the Upstate, grew up playing in its great outdoors, and is incredibly passionate about our work to protect the region's critical lands, abundant waters, and unique character.

While I will remain at UF in a new position focusing on strategy, donor relations, and special projects, you may rest assured that Aldon, a successful and visionary internal leader, is taking the reins.

Here's to a greener future for the Upstate — For all of us. For generations to come. Forever.

Andrea Cooper
Upstate Forever

More information about the upcoming leadership transition

Andrea joined UF in 2015, becoming the first Executive Director to follow in the footsteps of founder Brad Wyche (pictured above with Andrea and Aldon).

Accomplishments under her leadership include:

• Growing the organization from 17 to 26 employees
• Protecting an additional 17,000+ acres of Upstate land through easements and partner projects
• Successful efforts to secure millions of new dollars in funding for land protection
• Preventing an unnecessary transmission line that would have sliced through the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Establishing a $1.5 million water quality fund in Anderson County using settlement funds from a lawsuit over the Kinder Morgan petroleum spill
• Helping to spearhead the transformational Saluda Grade Trail project

“The UF board has driven each step of this process and is fully supportive of this plan,” says Board Chair John Keith. “We are very fortunate to have an internal leader like Aldon who is well-equipped, energized, and perfectly poised to take on the Executive Director role. It allows us to capitalize on our momentum and demonstrates that we’re a mature, thriving organization with the ability to promote from within. Andrea has done so much for Upstate Forever, and we’re thankful that she will remain engaged and continue to support its critical work.”

This news has been shared with staff, major donors, conservation partners, and other primary stakeholders, who have also been fully supportive of the plan.

If you have any questions about this transition and the future of Upstate Forever, please don't hesitate to contact us by emailing info@upstateforever.org.

Why this is BIG

Upstate Forever and local partners that comprise the Reedy River Water Quality Group (RRWQG) and other clean water advocates have aggressively championed adoption of stronger riparian buffer requirements in Greenville County for well-over a decade. Land development in Greenville County has accelerated throughout this time period, with limited protections in place for our waterways.

Riparian buffers are vegetated areas next to streams and rivers that provide protection from the impacts of adjacent land uses. They are considered the last line of defense for water quality and are the most cost-effective and fiscally responsible way to protect Greenville County’s rivers and streams. The benefits associated with increased riparian buffers — including water quality, flood protection, tax revenue, and recreation — far exceed the costs.

Thank Greenville County Council today! 

Greenville County residents, please reach out to County Council. They are constantly inundated with negative comments and requests prior to votes, but less often hear from grateful citizens. A thank you call or email lets them know you support their decision — and that you're paying attention! Tell them that you are celebrating their decision to protect our waterways.

Find Greenville County Council members' contact information

Thank you again for your help! The new year is off to a great start.

Here's to many more local land use & clean water policy successes in 2024!

What sparked your interest in working with Upstate Forever? 
I have been aware of the tremendous work of Upstate Forever since its founding in 1998. Upstate Forever stands as a conservation force and is the leading voice for land conservation, planning & policy, as well as energy & water across the counties of the Upstate. I want to be a part of that. 

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you? 
I have grandchildren that live in the Upstate and I want them to grow up in a place that values natural resources and also believes in the value of smart growth. It takes effort to make that happen and I want to contribute to that end. 

How long have you called the Upstate home? What brought you here? 
My wife & I moved to the Upstate from Augusta GA in 1994 and have raised our family here. My work (hospital administration) brought us here and the wonderful resources offered in the Upstate have kept us here. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. 

Where’s your favorite spot in the Upstate? 
My “go to” spot in the Upstate is the Blue Wall Passage. It’s a beautiful easy flatland loop if you just want to connect with nature and it also can become a strenuous leg-busting effort if you climb the Blue Wall and continue on the Palmetto Reservoir passage along the NC/SC state line towards Orchard Lake. Very quiet & peaceful with a big workout included. 

What hobbies do you enjoy?  
I enjoy getting outdoors as much as possible. I’m an avid cyclist, ultrarunner and my wife and I hike together often. I have had the opportunity to participate in all those activities throughout the United States and across the globe. There is a lot to see out there if you pursue it. 

---

More about Phil

Phil Feisal is the President of Spartanburg Medical Center, a division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. He has been with Spartanburg Regional since 2009 and his healthcare career has spanned 35 years. Previously, he has served in executive leadership roles at the Greenville Hospital System (now Prisma Health) and Bon Secours Mercy St. Francis Health System. Phil also holds an adjunct professorship in the Government Department at Wofford College.

Phil is active on several local Boards and Advisory Councils in Spartanburg and Greenville. Notably, he recently served as the Chairman of the OneSpartanburg, Inc. Executive Board and participates on Spartanburg’s Northside Development Group Advisory Board, the USC Upstate Foundation Board & the Spartanburg Academic Movement Board of Directors. He has also served on the Boards of the Greenville Free Medical Clinic & Greenville Forward

Phil received an undergraduate degree in Finance at the University of Memphis and holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

Phil and his wife, Katrina, have three children and have lived in the Upstate since 1994.

See their sustainability brochure for more information on ongoing projects. 

Q&A with Mayor Robert Halfacre and Urban and Park Land Management Director Tony Tidwell

How long have you lived in Clemson?
Mayor Halfacre: I have lived in Clemson 45+ years (5 years in the low country)

Tony Tidwell: I've lived here 38 years.

What are your favorite green spaces in the area?
Mayor Halfacre: my favorite greenspaces in the City are Mt. View Park because of my childhood memories practicing running cross country on the trails. Also, Gateway Park because my son (Blake) completed his Eagle Scout Project there installing a bio-cell for storm water retention. Finally, Shanklin Sams because of our need for greenspace in our downtown area.  

Tony Tidwell: my favorite greenspaces are Shanklin Sams greenspace downtown because of the diversity of the trees and plants and the benefit of having a stand of hardwoods close to downtown (Vic Shelburne with Scout Troop 235 have been mitigating the invasive plants in the park for almost a decade). Also Mt. View Park for its preserved forest habitat, beautiful trails, and lakeside views.

We understand that the city has received funds from the SC Conservation Bank to create a 4-acre nature preserve. Can you tell us a bit about that project?
In 2022 the City of Clemson received a grant through the SC Conservation Bank to assist with purchasing 4.36 acres at 341 and 347 Issaqueena Trail. The City of Clemson’s primary focus for this park development project, named Berkeley Orchard, is to conserve green space in densely populated areas while providing an access point to the Green Crescent Trail. The trail will allow a safe multi-modal path for walking and other outdoor recreation activities and provide a connection to existing City Parks Lands, where it will serve as a hub to the North and South Forest. This will be a continuation of the Tottie’s Place Park trail, located directly across Berkeley Drive from the new property. The loop will have a combination of impervious and pervious trails. The City envisions the Berkeley Orchard to serve as an urban oasis for wildlife and passive recreations.

In the coming years, the City intends to continue encouraging wildlife habitat and travel corridors and develop “Habitat Forage” within the park. This is an idea that City staff discovered while auditing Professor Paul Russell’s Landscape Architecture Forest and Field Studio presentations at Lee Hall on the Clemson campus. The project will return the property to a more natural state using native plantings, fruit and nut bearing trees / shrubs, and pollinator meadows, while not inhibiting the floodplain. These native plantings will create more habitat and forage for humans, birds, pollinators, and other wildlife displaced by development.

In an effort to promote water quality, the City will establish riparian buffers and complete stream restoration projects along the 18-mile Creek. Low impact educational components like an outdoor classroom pavilion, interactive art pieces, and interpretive signage about the purpose of the area, plantings, and floodplains will also be included.

In the summer of 2022, the City of Clemson invited Professor Paul Russell’s Landscape Design class to work on design concepts for the park. The summer design course, Forest a Field Studio, collaborated with the City’s Urban & Park Land Management Department to prepare a series of conceptual plan studies that explored the potential of the space and how it could connect to an existing series of paths and become a central connector hub for future expansion of the GCT.

The collaboration between the studio and City staff was a reciprocal learning activity where each group listened, learned, and grew through the process. Highlighted by fruitful open and critical discussion, this exercise provided the students a hands-on ‘real-life’ learning experience while providing the city stakeholders a long term attainable vision and opening their eyes to the potential of the site.

What are Clemson's highest priority sustainability goals for the next few years?
Planting trees is the most important thing that we can do as a community. Our current overall tree canopy is hovering at 48% coverage. Our goal is to maintain and increase this number, not only to help balance the environmental impact of development but also to offset the overall negative impacts of the urban environment. Especially when the city is projected to have 11 times as many days over 100˚ F compared to the last 40 years. Currently our tree canopy mitigates 11.6 million gallons of storm water for every year, 79,577 lbs. of air pollutants are mitigated annually and 12,078 metric tons of carbon are sequestered every year. In a sense trees, act like a utility and we need them to continue to do this work to maintain a healthy community.

How are you educating the Clemson community about sustainability, and how can residents get involved in sustainability efforts?
The City’s Community Connection magazine is great for featuring City sustainable initiatives. One of the best ways we have to communicate sustainability is through the way we maintain greenspaces and parks. Sustainability is Maintenance. Maintenance is Communication. There are a lot of eyes on our public spaces so basing our maintenance strategies on ANSI A300 Standards and Best Management Practices is a great way to communicate sustainable practices to the public. We also have a Friends of the Park volunteer program with an online sign-up option for anyone who would like to participate in a clean-up or maintenance project in our parks and public greenspaces. The Urban Department alone picked up 3500 lbs. of litter last year so we need volunteers to help keep the City clean. Participation has been great from our highly engaged community.

What are some of Clemson's current sustainability projects in the works?
The City just completed phase one of the Green Crescent Trail which now intentionally ties in the University new trail on Perimeter Rd.

This year we started the “Grow A Greener Clemson” campaign. The campaign began in January by partnering with Trees Upstate to have a tree giveaway at Nettles Park. We gave away 362 trees. Next, we partnered with Clemson Downs and Trees Upstate to have a tree planting event on private property. We had 50+ volunteers and planted 20 trees. We will be holding 3 tree planting SC Arbor Day Events on December 1st and another Trees Upstate Tree giveaway at Clemson Park on December 2nd where we plan to give away 300 trees. We will also be hosting another tree planting on Dec 9th with The Friends of Green Crescent Trails and Trees Upstate to plant 30 trees behind the Clemson United Methodist Church along the new stretch of trail.

Other projects include establishing intentional native meadows for pollinators for the Monarch USA accreditation. The Department of Urban Land and Park Management is currently in the process of establishing the City of Clemson as a Certified National Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Wildlife is our native flora and fauna including birds, bees, and butterflies. The City of Clemson can earn community/city-wide certification as a National Wildlife Habitat by certifying individual properties (homes, schools, businesses, and others) as Certified Wildlife Habitats.

A Certified Wildlife Habitat should be a sustainable area that provides food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Planting native plants is the easiest way and initial building block to creating a wildlife habitat. Currently, we need approximately 100 more individual areas in Clemson to become Certified Wildlife Habitat to meet the city-wide requirements.

How do the City and University work together to make Clemson a more sustainable place?
We have worked together with the Clemson Extension Service several for years on the Bradford Pear Tree Bounty project where we give away native trees to anyone who cuts down a Bradford Pear tree on their property. This helps spread the word about the invasive nature of this toxic tree.

We have numerous student projects from the Landscape Architecture class developing conceptual plans for Berkeley Orchard to the PRTM class developing master plans for Twelve Mile Park to the PRTM EDGE students developing conceptual plans for Clemson Park. We have offered presentations to the Urban Tree Care Class, Sustainability Leadership Class, Clemson Extension Arborist Workshops, and the Sustainability Committee. We are a member of the Tree Campus USA board. We have collaborated to develop preferred plant and tree lists for the City and University. We’ve had numerous internships, and our Friends of the Park volunteer program works with hundreds of students and University organizations every year to help clean and maintain our parks and greenspaces.

Thank you to Mayor Halfacre and Tony Tidwell for taking the time to answer our questions about the City of Clemson's sustainability projects. 

If you would like to learn more about the City of Clemson's sustainability projects, check out their sustainability brochure or visit the Urban and Park Land Management website and the City of Clemson website. 

Do you have a curiosity about the world around you? A great way to explore nature is through the lens.

You don’t need expensive gear to shoot stunning nature images. While DSLR and mirrorless cameras offer a wide range of exposure controls and lenses, modern cell phones have truly amazing camera capabilities! Whatever equipment you have access to is a great place to start your nature photography journey and, with a few basic tips, you can get closer to achieving that perfect shot.

Consider composition

When setting up your image, slow down and be deliberate. You should consider if a portrait or landscape orientation is best to showcase your subject. You can decide to fill the frame with your subject or shoot wide to include its natural habitat.

You can add more interest to your images by shooting your subject from a perspective other than your eyelevel. Get down low to shoot an image of your subject at their level or move higher to give a bird’s eye view!

Don’t forget to pay attention to the background in your composition! If it is distracting, try shooting from another angle.

Work with natural lighting

The best time to shoot outdoors is during the morning and early evening. If you are limited to midday, wait for cloudy days or search for shade — overhead sunlight can be harsh.

Morning and evening hours are also when wildlife is typically most active, giving you the best opportunities. Explore your creativity by considering different angles of natural light, including backlighting and side-lighting on your subject.

Get to know your subject

If you take the time to know your subject, its movements, feeding habits, and other behaviors, you will capture better images. During your observations, please be sure to maintain a safe distance to avoid interfering with your subject’s natural behaviors. The most compelling nature photos often show behavior of wildlife, such as butterflies getting nectar from flowers, or birds feeding their young.

If you are unsure of the species you are photographing, apps and guide books can help you identify them and better understand their habits.

On iNaturalist, experts from around the world will assist in identifying species through images. Seek is another app which is fun for families to refer to while exploring biodiversity in the natural world. Your local library or outdoor outfitter may also have books available to assist in species identification.

All photos by Cathy Bester. View more on Instagram: @cathleenbester.photography

Whether your space is a large and luxurious lawn, a compact apartment balcony, or a plot in a community garden, you don’t need to take on daunting projects to make your property a welcoming habitat for local wildlife. Try one or more of these simple projects to make your property more nature friendly and full of life.

Ditch the manicured lawn

Across the United States, the movement to replace high-maintenance and costly exotic grass lawns is taking root. You can begin to adopt this approach by swapping a manicured lawn that requires frequent mowing to a naturalistic meadow planting of native grasses, such as little bluestem, purple top, or broomsedge.

This more natural approach to groundcover will improve the habitat value of your yard while only requiring an annual mowing. Plus, their bronze foliage fluttering in the autumn breeze provides a stunning aesthetic completely unique to native grasses!

Leave the leaves

That’s right, we’ll give you an ‘out’ on this tedious autumn task. Leaving spent foliage in place has many benefits, including a healthier lawn. Just mow over a thin layer of leaves to help them return nutrients to the grass and soil underneath — in addition to providing important habitat for overwintering wildlife and free mulching and compost material. Plus, you’ll save countless hours of bagging leaves or listening to the incessant whirr of a leafblower!

Plant more native species

Consider utilizing native plants for a cost-effective, low-maintenance yard that flourishes. Because plants native to our eco-region are well-adapted to its climate, geography and hydrology, they often require no irrigation or fertilizer, can help control stormwater runoff and contribute to water quality, and can provide an optimum habitat for wildlife including butterflies and songbirds. 

Native plant resources

Joining the Upstate Chapter of the South Carolina Native Plant Society (SCNPS) grants access to invaluable resources, including monthly meetings, field trips, workshops, and more. Plus, the SCNPS hosts a spring and fall native plant sale each year where you can purchase from a selection of dozens of species of flowers, shrubs, grasses, vines, and specialty plants. Learn more at scnps.org

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension, or Clemson Extension, manages robust libraries of resources in their online Home & Garden Information Center and Carolina Yards Plant Database. You can also attend in-person events and workshops on various topics, as well as speak to local Extension Agents located in each county. Learn more at clemson.edu/extension

Convert scraps into compost

Did you know that more than 30% of the waste Americans throw away could actually be composted instead? Composting your own food and compostable household waste is a fantastic way to keep these materials out of landfills, where they take up space and release greenhouse gases, while creating a healthy, rich supplement for your garden and landscaping.

You’ll need to balance “browns” (carbon-rich materials, such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs) and “greens” (nitrogen-rich materials, such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds) and keep these ingredients moist and mixed to enjoy a rich soil additive in no time. Click here to learn more in a guide from UF partner Sustaining Way

Provide shelter, food, and water sources for wildlife on your property

Do you long to listen to birdsong in the morning, watch the delicate flutter of a butterfly, or hear shrieks of delight as the kids spot a skittering lizard in the backyard? You can help encourage these visitors to stick around by supplying resources they need to thrive. Consider installing bird houses, bat boxes, “toad abodes,” or other shelters. Provide a variety of food sources including native plants, berries, fruit trees, and bird seed, as well as a clean water source for drinking and bathing.

Become a certified wildlife habitat

Once you’ve completed the projects above, you’ll be well on your way to achieving “Palmetto Wildlife Habitat” status, a recognition bestowed by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation via the National Wildlife Federation.

To become certified, ensure your habitat provides food, water, shelter, and places to raise young, and implements sustainable practices with a goal of 50- 70% native plants that provide multi season bloom. Learn more at scwf.org/habitat-landing-page

Urban waters are the waterways that run through densely populated areas. They take on large amounts of pollution from a variety of sources including contaminated runoff from residential, commercial, and industrial properties, trash, and untreated wastewater.

However, if maintained properly, urban waters can provide positive community benefits like recreation, fishing, environmental education, and wildlife habitat.

The easiest, most cost-effective way people can protect our urban waters is by planting and maintaining riparian buffers: natural strips of vegetation along a stream, river, lake, or pond.

Riparian buffers protect water quality by capturing and filtering pollutants before they wash off land surfaces into local waterways.

Many urban waters are subject to abuse from poor land use practices, development, and waterway misuse. Repairing degraded and eroded streambanks and planting native vegetation helps stabilize them, and it is low cost. In collaboration with Clemson University Cooperative Extension, our Clean Water team has completed two streambank repair projects in Anderson and Greenville counties.

In the Upstate, residents can help maintain healthy urban waterways by volunteering for water quality monitoring with SC Adopt-A-Stream and litter cleanups. SC Adopt-A-Stream is a citizen science program that monitors the chemical, physical, and biological quality of waterways across the state.

To volunteer in a litter cleanup, consider visiting our local partner organizations for more information: Friends of the Reedy River, Greer CPW, Palmetto Pride, and Lake Hartwell Partners for Clean Water.

Rebecca Wade is a Clean Water Specialist for Upstate Forever. You can email her at rwade@upstateforever.org. 

Thumbnail and header photo of Reedy River by Tom Blagden.

Humans build things. It’s what we do. We leave our mark on our environments, and too often, the environment comes out of that interaction worse for wear. It is a difficult balancing act: protecting the sensitive natural systems that sustain life while accommodating community development needs.

Urbanized areas, in particular, face significant challenges to maintaining a healthy environment. With the Upstate’s population rising, local cities and municipalities are grappling with how to accommodate rapid growth in a way that preserves the natural resources we depend on for a healthy and happy community.

While there are no one-size-fits-all answers, many communities are successfully addressing negative development impacts through effective, low-cost naturebased solutions.

Urban ecosystems face unique challenges

Human activity and intensive land use often disrupt natural systems, leading to complex — and sometimes dire — consequences. When the need for city infrastructure like roads, parking lots, buildings, and homes increases, the natural environment pays the price, and we see how the loss of one natural element can lead to a cascade of urban issues.

Our roads and parking lots are impermeable surfaces, meaning they cannot absorb rainwater. This causes more stormwater runoff, erosion, and decreased soil quality along with increased sediment and pollution in waterways. When combined with the loss of old growth, native trees, impermeable surfaces lead to worse flooding events.

Did you know? 

An inch of rain generates 36 times more stormwater runoff per acre on pavement than on natural forested land. Preserving urban greenspace mitigates these impacts. (Source: US Geologic Survey)

Urban environments experience tree loss, too, leading to habitat loss, impacted water cycling, and warmer temperatures. If the old trees go, then the species who called them home usually follow suit. Young and ornamental trees do not provide the same habitat for urban wildlife who we depend on to keep all organisms in natural balance. Young trees also fail to provide the same amount of shade and cooling to our urban landscape, and ornamental, non-native trees are not as drought resistant or adapted to our local environment.

These are just a few of the problems that can befall an urban environment. If these issues are not addressed, they can lead to significant loss of biodiversity, property, and quality of life.

Nature-based solutions can mitigate development impacts

Increasingly, communities are turning to a nature-based approach to mitigate and prevent the negative impacts associated with development. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, nature-based solutions "harness the power of healthy ecosystems to protect people, optimize infrastructure, and safeguard a stable and biodiverse future." They are based on the principle that natural, healthy ecosystems provide tangible economic, health, and quality-of-life benefits in a way that is lower in cost and more effective than artificial systems.

Examples of nature-based solutions:

• Adding native trees and plants promotes biodiversity, improves storm water absorption, prevents erosion, and helps keep the local environment resilient and adaptable. They are more disease resistant than nonnatives and are already adapted to local climates and the animals who thrive alongside them.
   
• Leaving riparian buffers — the strip of vegetation along a stream, river, lake, or pond — intact is the most cost-effective way to reduce stormwater runoff, protect drinking water quality, minimize erosion, improve habitat, mitigate flooding, moderate instream temperatures, and replenish groundwater.
   
• Streambank repair and restoration address unhealthy streambanks that suffer from erosion and instability through specialized techniques like revegetating streambanks with native plants and trees and addressing issues within the stream channel.
   
• Rewilding urban spaces involves reintroducing and restoring native plants and animals to an urban environment that’s been heavily developed or degraded. We can achieve this with roof gardens, wildlife highways, invasive species removal, pocket forests, and native plantings.
   
• Investing in green infrastructure uses nature to improve stormwater management, climate adaptation, heat stress, biodiversity, and more. Examples include rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, permeable pavements, downspout disconnection, bioswales, urban pocket forests, green alleys, green schoolyards, and low-impact development.

These adaptive and responsive solutions are sensitive to context and place, and the strategies selected will look different from community to community.

Local efforts to strengthen urban ecosystems

There are plenty of local initiatives underway across the Upstate. For example, TreesUpstate and the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority have partnered through a NeighborWoods initiative to improve tree canopy in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.

In Anderson County, the Rocky River Conservancy is conducting restoration efforts and water quality testing in Rocky River Nature Park, a 148-acre public preserve protected by a UF conservation easement. TreesUpstate and UF are working alongside the Conservancy to add native plants and improve habitat quality. 

City/County councils, planners, private companies, and residents alike must work together to identify more opportunities for investments in nature-based solutions. The ongoing management, maintenance, and evaluation of implemented solutions are also crucial to success.

UF's work on nature-based solutions includes:

Promoting funding sources for more greenspace conservation

Local funds can be used as matching dollars to help leverage conservation grants from federal, state, and private sources — making applications from Upstate organizations more competitive in the grant-seeking process. UF has advocated for increased conservation funding in a number of Upstate counties.

Strengthening tree canopy and preservation through policy change

Our Land Planning and Policy team has been working to strengthen local ordinances that enhance tree canopy, support tree preservation, and champion native species in municipalities across the Upstate.

Mitigating the impact of invasive species on local ecosystems

Our Land Conservation team has worked tirelessly to provide enhanced outreach and education on habitat restoration, invasive species management, and plant conservation by working with Upstate property owners who hold conservation easements.

Reducing bacterial pollution in rivers

Thanks to SCDHEC funding, we help landowners in critical areas by offsetting costs on projects that reduce bacterial pollution, such as septic tank repair/replacement and fencing cattle out of streams.

... plus many more projects!

A proactive, nature-based approach to land use

While nature-based solutions are a great way to address the negative impacts of development, we should also work to prevent those impacts before they happen through smart land use policies. Too often, local land use policies are created without adequate consideration for the irreplaceable, tangible benefits that healthy ecosystems provide for communities.

In the Upstate, we need robust local policies — at all municipal levels — that more strongly value ecosystems and prioritize nature-based solutions to maintain a healthy environment alongside development.

From a planning perspective, communities and local council members can work together when drafting comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and landscape ordinances to ensure that concern for nature is at the forefront.

Decisionmakers need to ensure that nature-based solutions include concerns for and input from low-income areas and historically disadvantaged areas. Doing so will ensure communities most likely to be disproportionately impacted by a changing climate will have a seat at the table.

Community benefits, naturally

The benefits of nature-based solutions are innumerable. They create spaces that are more harmonious for both people and nature, and they strengthen cities and communities by enhancing biodiversity, saving species, improving city microclimates, reducing air pollution, diminishing the urban heat island effect, and mitigating flood risk.

Even if our first steps toward a greener future are small and stumbling, we can make a collective impact by creating a future that is wild, bountiful, and blooming.

Allie Martinsen is Land Policy Manager for Upstate Forever. You can email her at amartinsen@upstateforever.org. 

How long have you been a member of the Upstate Forever Board of Directors? 

I joined UF board in early 2003, so now over 20 years.  I have been either the Treasurer or the Chairman for almost all those years.  I have served as the Chairman of the Land Trust Committee from its inception to about 2020 and was on the first Strategic Planning Committee before the Crossroads campaign.

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you?  

We lived in the Fort Lauderdale area in the 1970s and early 1980s. We saw how sprawl completely took over from Palm Beach to Miami. I don’t want to see the same thing happen between Charlotte and Atlanta.

How long have you called the Upstate home?

We moved here in 1988, so have been here over 35 years. I transferred to Greenville with my company, KPMG, LLP.

What do you love most about the Upstate?  

The greenery and proximity to the mountains.

What hobbies do you enjoy?  

I love skiing, hiking, and traveling.

Where’s your ‘happy place?'

My wife, Sandy, is my soul mate. My happy place is with her.

More about Tom

Tom currently serves as a member of the board of InspireMD, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSPR) and was a board member of Orthofix International, N.V. from 2004 to 2010. He is the Treasurer and board member of the South Carolina Environmental Law Project. Tom is the Chief Financial Officer of Kester Search Group, LLC, an executive recruiting firm that specializes in the permanent placement of senior-level management positions as well as field-based sales reps into medical device, diagnostic, and dental companies throughout the United States. From 2004 until 2019, Tom was either the Chairman or Treasurer of the Conestee Nature Preserve while it acquired and built a 400 acre nature preserve in Greenville County that is the largest park in the City of Greenville. Tom wrote a brief history of Lake Conestee Nature Preserve which is available at lulu.com or Amazon.com.

Tom spent 28 years with KPMG, LLP in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Dublin, Ireland; and Greenville, South Carolina. Prior to his retirement in 2002, he was the managing partner of KPMG’s Greenville office. He is currently a CPA Emeritus in SC. 

Tom holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard University. He previously served as an officer on active duty in the US Navy.
 
In addition to his strong interest in conservation and environmental issues, Tom also enjoys skiing, woodworking, and traveling. Tom and his wife Sandy have two adult sons, Ross and Lee, and the family have called the Upstate home for over 35 years.

PFAS (Per– and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are man-made chemicals that affect our environment through impacted wastewater, landfill leachate, surface water, groundwater and air. PFAS present public health and environmental issues in communities across the United States and have been used worldwide in consumer goods and in some industrial applications to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water.

These chemicals are widespread in the environment because of their longevity, unlimited uses and resistance to breakdown. PFAS can accumulate in people, wildlife and fish. Common consumer products that may still use PFAS in their production include, but are not limited to:

• some nonstick cookware
• food packaging (ex: microwave popcorn bags, fast food wrappers, sliced cheese wrappers, pizza boxes)
• stain-resistant carpets, fabrics and water-resistant clothing
• paints, varnishes and sealants
• cosmetics
• dental floss
• fire-fighting foams used on flammable liquids
• pesticide formulation packaging

PFAS were initially developed because of their effectiveness at repelling grease and water in many textile applications as well as their usefulness in making foam to extinguish large scale fuel fires.

The Issue with PFAS

Exposure to certain PFAS have been associated with increased rates of cancers in the liver, kidney, and testes, decreased birth weights and immune suppression, among other adverse health effects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a series of Health Advisories for four PFAS in drinking water since 2016. These Health Advisories were derived to protect the most sensitive water consumers, such as pregnant, breastfeeding women, and infants, from any potential adverse health effects that might occur.

Considering these adverse health effects, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) has taken steps to help South Carolina's small drinking water systems. They are also helping residents with private wells to test their water for PFAS and have created a grant opportunity for this purpose. If PFAS are detected, they will provide a filter system to mitigate PFAS contamination. To learn more about PFAS and how SCDHEC is helping, visit this website. 

What is Missing Middle Housing?

As residential development encroaches into rural areas, zoning reforms are needed to prevent unchecked sprawl and build more livable communities. Missing Middle Housing (MMH) is one strategy that could help to guide and shape growth to enhance the character of rural, suburban, and urban places like Spartanburg. 

“Missing Middle Housing” (or MMH) is a term coined by Opticos Design founder Daniel Parolek to describe a range of housing types that match the look, feel, and scale of single-detached homes, yet include two or more homes (think duplex, tri-plex, mansion apartment, or cottage court). MMH exists in the “middle” of the housing-density spectrum, between single-detached homes and high-rise apartments.

MMH works best in walkable neighborhoods close to amenities like grocery stores, shops, and restaurants, where some daily trips can be made without a personal vehicle (reducing the amount of space needed for parking)...

How can MMH be embraced in Spartanburg?

As Spartanburg continues to grow, zoning-code reforms to accommodate more diverse housing options will be required to meet the needs of all community residents. Housing choice will remain particularly important for aging residents, households without children, and low- to moderate-income households.

So what are some common zoning reforms to encourage MMH? In mixed-use, walkable urban and suburban areas, local governments can eliminate minimum lot-size requirements, reduce excessive off-street parking requirements, and lower barriers to construction for small-lot, infill development. Such simple changes to land development and zoning regulations can enable MMH, to increase and diversify housing options, while limiting sprawl into rural areas...

What can Spartanburg residents do to get involved?

In the coming months, it is crucial that residents express their priorities to their elected representatives on Spartanburg County and/or City Council. Whether you care about conservation and/or housing, the right zoning is needed to balance growth with other community priorities as Spartanburg grapples with explosive growth.

Would you like to receive the latest news and action alerts related to Spartanburg City and County land use policy issues directly in your inbox? Visit upstateforever.org/email to join our Spartanburg Land Planning & Policy Updates email list.

“Human settlements are like living organisms. They must grow, and they will change. But we can decide on the nature of that growth - on the quality and the character of it - and where it ought to go. We don't have to scatter the building blocks of our civic life all over the countryside, destroying our towns and ruining farmland.” - James Howard Kunstler

Athough I have spent the past decade living in crowded cities or urbanizing towns, my love for rural spaces has never left me. Perhaps this proclivity hearkens back to my childhood in Kansas, surrounded by vast swaths of farmland only a short drive from home. Or perhaps my appreciation is part of a larger story – something deeply American – that ties the notion of homesteading to the American dream. Regardless of the reason, the solace and awe I once felt driving through the rural countryside has now shifted to concern.

Across the nation, our rural lands are disappearing. Between 2001-2016, 11 million acres of agricultural land were lost in America. Unfortunately, South Carolina is not spared from this trend, and lost 280,700 acres of agricultural land during the same period. South Carolina is one of the top ten states most threatened by agricultural land loss. If this pattern continues, then our rural spaces across the Upstate will forever be fragmented and lost to unchecked development and sprawl.

The reasons for rural land loss are varied, but poor planning is often a contributing factor. As more and more residents and companies relocate to the Upstate, new land is often rapidly converted to accommodate development. While it may be impossible to protect every parcel of land, counties and municipalities do have the power to decide where to direct growth and where to preserve open space.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to protecting rural lands, but strategies for preservation do exist. For example, municipalities and counties can establish conservation sectors (i.e., areas of permanently protected and recreational open space) and growth sectors (i.e., areas for development and redevelopment) in their comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances. Counties can also include rural and agricultural overlay districts in their zoning ordinances, which enables property owners to voluntarily place restrictions on their land for preservation. A final approach worth mentioning – although there are countless others – is to encourage counties and municipalities to establish transfer of development rights (TDR) programs, which allows property owners to shift development rights from agricultural land to designated growth zones.

At the end of the day, the success of our region depends on protecting the rural character of the Upstate, even if you live within city limits. The benefits of rural space – far too often considered only after land has already been developed – are numerous.

Our rural spaces provide social benefits by safeguarding South Carolina’s agrarian heritage, increasing food security, and expanding opportunities for recreation. Rural spaces also provide economic benefits by creating a more diversified local economy and drawing an influx of visitors to the region for agritourism. Visitors are drawn to farm-to-table shops, produce stands, and “pick your own” farms and orchards. Lastly, rural lands provide critical environmental benefits by increasing watershed protection and flood control, supporting wildlife and biodiversity, and enhancing soil conservation.

America’s rural lands – often overlooked, overdeveloped, and underappreciated – need a champion. No matter where you live (downtown, the suburbs, or on a farm), you have a role to play in protecting and maintaining the rural character of the Upstate. Your quality of life just might depend on it.

Take Action

• If you live in Greenville County, create a citizen-led movement in your neighborhood by uniting with property owners to establish a voluntary agricultural preservation zoning district. 
• If you live in the southwest quadrant of Spartanburg County, create a citizen-led movement in your neighborhood by uniting with property owners to establish a voluntary rural and agricultural overlay district. If you don't live in the southwest quadrant, stay tuned for the Performance Zoning Ordinance to be rolled-out countywide. 
• If you live in another Upstate County, present comments to your County Council on the importance of preserving the rural character of the Upstate.
• Email, call, or write to your state elected officials to request an increase in funding for rural land protection in the next budgeting cycle.

Please feel free to reach out to amartinsen@upstateforever.org with any questions.

The Conservancy — which consists of PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. and Upstate Forever on the South Carolina side, and Conserving Carolina on the North Carolina side — is leading efforts to construct the multi-purpose trail.

We're grateful for the support of Upstate legislators who played a major role in securing this funding:

“The Saluda Grade Trail is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to the work of the Spartanburg County delegation, especially Representative Max Hyde. This project will have a significant economic impact — as we are already seeing with the announcement of Time Bicycle — an improved quality of life, and health benefits for our community.” – Laura Ringo, Executive Director of PAL

"We truly appreciate the support the Legislature has shown for the Saluda Grade Trail project. I’d especially like to thank Representative Bruce Bannister for his essential role in this success. This is a wise investment that will pay dividends far beyond the initial investment.” – Andrea Cooper, Executive Director of Upstate Forever

About the Saluda Grade Trail

The 31-mile Saluda Grade Trail will pass through Inman, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, Saluda, and Zirconia. Along its route, which includes 15.6 miles in South Carolina and 15.9 miles in North Carolina, the trail will feature rural scenery, vibrant small towns, historic landmarks, gorgeous nature preserves, lakes, and waterfalls.

While the historic Saluda Grade rail line is famously steep, the dramatic grade is only in a small section of the line where it crosses from the Piedmont to the mountains. Much of the route is level or moderate in its grade. It is expected to be a multi-use trail that will be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

The Conservancy has a signed agreement with the railroad establishing the purchase price and other terms of a future purchase with Norfolk Southern. At the request of the railroad, the terms of the agreement are subject to a confidentiality agreement.

A preliminary impact study indicated that South Carolina’s investment will net $45 million in economic impact. Poised to be a top rail trail in the U.S., it is projected to attract an initial 125,000 visitors annually, support well over 300 jobs across the trail’s footprint, and spur development contiguous to the trail. The Conservancy has begun the process of a more detailed economic impact and feasibility study that will shed light on how the trail will shape local economies and how to move forward with the project.

Next steps and community input

The Conservancy expects to close on the rail corridor within two years and is pursuing state and federal funding opportunities.

Starting this summer, the Conservancy will reach out to landowners and stakeholders along the trail to seek their input on the opportunities and challenges presented by the trail and approaches that will best meet the community's needs. As part of this outreach, the Conservancy will host three public meetings, solicit feedback through an online survey opportunity, and conduct stakeholder interviews.

In addition, the group has launched a website for the Saluda Grade Trail at www.saludagradetrail.org where the public will be able to learn more about the project, sign up for email updates, and donate towards the trail construction.

Conestee Nature Preserve served as the perfect location to host the six summer crew members. Just miles from the heart of downtown Greenville, the preserve provides accessible and inclusive access to nature and hosts a variety of habitat types that support an impressive suite of wildlife including salamanders, deer, beaver, river otters and 224 species of birds. The backdrop of this unique peri-urban park enabled the crew to work in several different ecological communities while also interfacing with the park’s curious visitors.

We worked alongside Conestee staff to host the Summer Crew for a week of habitat improvement projects in the preserve’s grasslands and bottomland forest. To optimize the crew’s impact, we prioritized working in areas previously identified by Furman University professor Dr. John Quinn, as having the highest bird diversity. Additionally, the work was guided by the Preserve’s long-term management plan objectives. During the week of work, the hardworking crew worked diligently to manage invasive species in three high-priority focal areas: The Henderson Meadow, Forester Meadow and the bottomland forest along the Sparkleberry Connector trail.

The results of this partner project were significant — over 5 acres of Bradford pear, Chinese privet, autumn olive and nandina were eradicated from Conestee Nature Preserve! Removal of these aggressive and ecologically damaging exotic plants prevents the displacement of the preserve’s native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs over time and supports the birds, butterflies and other wildlife that are entirely reliant on intact and healthy ecosystems for survival. Beyond the beneficial impacts to biodiversity, this restoration work improved areas frequently used for educational programming, ensuring that kids of all ages can continue to explore and experience these beautiful and unique parts of the Preserve.

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the staff at Conestee Nature Preserve and the Palmetto Conservation Corps this summer and anticipate partnering on future habitat enhancement projects in the years to come. As this program builds momentum, we look forward to sharing more opportunities, resources, and successes with our supporters.

I’ve noticed that electric vehicles (EV) are on the road a lot more lately, and I’m interested in getting one for my family. But how are they staying charged in our state? I don’t see very many charging stations around, and I’m not finding a lot of helpful information. What is being done to ensure there's appropriate infrastructure in place so I don't get stranded?

Sincerely, Overwhelmed in Oconee

Dear Overwhelmed,

You are right — electric vehicles are on the rise with major brands like Ford, GM, BMW, and Chevrolet announcing plans to roll out fully electric lineups. Like you, many South Carolinians have concerns about their widespread adoption and wonder how far EVs can go on a single charge, or how long it will take to reach a full charge while on a long-distance trip. There is actually a term for these concerns: range anxiety.   

What is EV Range Anxiety?

Range anxiety is a legitimate concern and particularly high among those who travel frequently and for longer distances. This fear comes from comparing insufficient charging stations to abundant traditional gas stations.

Since the first modernized EVs were introduced in 2008, substantial advancements in battery technology have increased the range of a single charge to around 250 miles. Recent investments from both the public and private sectors will also help facilitate a buildout of charging stations to support the projected increase in demand from EV users.

How will SC address EV Range Anxiety?

The Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), passed in 2021, sets aside $5 billion dollars to establish a National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI). The program provides funding to states for charging station infrastructure and establishing an interconnected nationwide network that ensures consistent access and reliability for users.

South Carolina’s plan prioritizes charging equipment located along the interstate highway system to complement completion of the national network. The NEVI plan for SC has been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and we are currently awaiting final rules before implementation.

Automakers and battery manufacturers are aware of widespread range anxiety and are developing technologies that provide more range. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the number of EVs on the market offering at least 300 miles of range tripled in 2022. Proterra Inc. is seizing the moment and recently announced production of the first Proterra powered EV battery at its new Powered 1 battery facility in Greer. Redwood materials also plans to recycle batteries here in SC, which will help address concerns of sustainability. 

What can you do to help promote EVs?

Continue to urge our lawmakers at the local and state levels to implement policies and incentives that help expand access to electric vehicles and infrastructure. There is undoubtedly more work to be done, but there is reason to breathe easy because of historic investments in electric vehicles and charging stations. Alleviating range anxiety among consumers will move us toward solidifying equitable transportation electrification in South Carolina for years to come.  

Upstate Forever advocates at the state and local level on issues related to conservation, water, clean energy, and smart growth. View our advocacy priorities here.

However, we could not do any of this important work without you — our generous supporters, funders, and advocates. You are the reason for the success stories that follow. These are just a few of the highlights (in no particular order) that you've made possible over the last 25 years.

1. The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail

It’s safe to say the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail has been a game-changer for Greenville County, enhancing quality of life and bringing $9.5 million to the community annually. Upstate Forever played an essential role in securing and opening the trail, as well as catalyzing an extension from downtown to CU-IAR. We continue to actively engage in land use conversations for development around the trail corridor, including the Greenville Development Code. To further support active transit in Greenville, UF also established and operated the Greenville B-cycle program until it was transferred to another system operator in 2019.

2. More funding to accelerate protection of the Upstate’s land & water while there’s still time

As our region grows, the key to timely and effective conservation is funding. Through the years, UF and our partners have advocated successfully for significant funding for conservation at the local, state, federal, and private giving levels. Some examples are the enactment of hospitality taxes in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties to fund parks and greenways; the Oconee County Conservation Bank, the Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, and the Upstate Land Conservation Fund — that’s millions in funding that goes directly to local Upstate projects.

3. Achieving the highest standard for land trusts

In 2008, UF became the first land trust in South Carolina to receive official national recognition, a distinction granted by the Land Trust Alliance to recognize land conservation organizations that demonstrates sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship. Less than 30% of land trusts have earned accreditation, so we are proud we have achieved it and continue to maintain it.

4. 2,600+ visits to steward protected properties

Since Upstate Forever was founded, our team has conducted more than 2,600 monitoring visits. Stewardship allows UF to maintain the conservation agreement with landowners and ensures the permanent protection of a special property through an ongoing relationship between the land and its owners. Our expert Land Trust staff visits each property annually to ensure its conservation values — the natural resources under protection — remain intact.

5. 30K+ acres protected through conservation easements

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that honors a landowner’s vision for their property and ensures the land is preserved in perpetuity from large-scale development. Over the years, our Land Trust has partnered with generous landowners, funders, and partner nonprofits to enact 145 conservation agreements that permanently protect more than 30,000 acres of our region’s most critical lands. From the cove forests of the Blue Ridge Escarpment to the working farms of the Piedmont, these are critical properties that safeguard water quality and provide natural habitat. They are also iconic places that attract, teach, heal, and inspire. Here is a sampling of just some of these special places.

• Soapstone Baptist Church, Pickens | 6 acres
  Historic church & grounds, founded by freed slaves in the Liberia community | Read more
• Spring Park Inn, Travelers Rest | 20 acres
  19th-century inn and greenspace right off the Swamp Rabbit Trail | Read more
• Oconee Town, Oconee | 54 acres
  Historic Cherokee village site with a stunning view of Tamassee Knob
• Grant Meadow, Pickens | 57 acres
  Iconic Table Rock view off Hwy 11, one of SC’s most photographed spots | Read more
• Stumphouse Mountain, Oconee | 519 acres
  Public access land with historic, scenic, cultural, & ecological significance
• Cragmoor Farms, Spartanburg | 121 acres
  Farm-to-table program provides education & produce to students | Read more
• Conestee Nature Preserve, Greenville | 379 acres
  13+ miles of trails offer ample chances to spot wildlife
• Warrior Mountain, Laurens | 318 acres
  Iconic granite formation & site of significance for historic Cherokee
• Paris Mountain & Jones Gap Additions, Greenville | 1,946 acres
  5 easements expanding acreage & access to popular state parks
• Nesbitt Shoals, Spartanburg | 201 acres
  Blueway and drinking water source at the Tyger River Confluence | Read more
• Chauga Heights, Oconee | 212 acres
  Striking riverside tract that doubles the size of Chau Ram County Park | Read more
• Rocky River Nature Park, Anderson | 132 acres
  Unique public wetlands filter water & offer valuable bird sanctuary
• Calico Vineyard, Greenville | 115 acres
  Scenic family farm providing grapes, berries, & more to local markets | Read more
• Greenbrier Farms, Pickens | 124 acres
  Farm & event venue practicing regenerative agriculture | Read more
• Timber Creek Farm, Laurens | 190 acres
  Growing native grasses & pollinator-friendly plants for seed production | Read more
• Nalley Brown Nature Park, Pickens | 39 acres
  Easy-to-access park with 2.5 miles of trails and a natural playground

With our regional conservation partners, we have also played a significant role in protecting an additional 1,500 acres across eight properties.

6. Conservation & restoration of critical habitat

The Upstate is a remarkably biodiverse area — did you know that the Blue Ridge Escarpment has more tree species than all of Europe? Unfortunately, habitat for our native plants and wildlife is often particularly sensitive to development and water quality deterioration. UF works strategically to provide healthy, intact habitat and corridors for local species:

• Identifying our most critical lands
  With the support of Pacolet Milliken Enterprises and in partnership with Furman University, we completed a Critical Lands mapping project to identify the region’s most environmentally sensitive lands for water and habitat quality.
• Trout habitat restoration on the Saluda
  Native trout, once abundant in the Upstate, have been decimated by habitat degradation. As part of the Partners for Trout alliance, UF helped restore nearly 3,000 feet of trout habitat in the South Saluda River.
• Threatened plant protection
  Through conservation, advocacy, and consultation, we work to protect federally endangered plants like the bunched arrowhead — one of the rarest plants on Earth, found only in Greenville County and Henderson County, NC — and other rare plant species like the Oconee bell and dwarf-flowered heartleaf.

7. Stopping an unnecessary transmission line through the Blue Ridge Mountains

UF helped mobilize public opposition to stop Duke Energy’s proposed substation and 45-mile-long transmission line across the Foothills and Blue Ridge Mountains of the Upstate. The project would have marred the beauty and integrity of an ecologically sensitive landscape, and better options were available to provide effective services. We were able to work with Duke on an alternative solution to install solar facilities and promote energy efficiency. It was a true win-win!

8. The Saving Lake Greenwood study

By 1999, Lake Greenwood was plagued by pollutants (causing algal blooms thick enough for turtles to walk on!) from upstream sources. UF managed one of the most comprehensive watershed studies ever undertaken in the country to find solutions, and then led implementation of those solutions throughout the Saluda-Reedy Watershed. The result? Significant water quality improvements that allow residents to continue to use and enjoy Lake Greenwood.

9. Five strategic plans to clean up watersheds

When the lands within a watershed are protected and properly managed, it helps maintain water quality, reduce flooding, and increase property values. Thanks to funding from SCDHEC, our Clean Water Team has, over the years, analyzed data and created five strategic watershed-based plans to improve water quality in the Saluda; North/ Middle, and South Tyger, 3&20 Creek, and Lake Keowee watersheds. We also implement these plans through best management practices that tackle bacteria, sediment, and nutrition pollution. To date, that includes 123 septic system repairs, 1,100 feet of streambank restored, 11,475 feet of livestock fencing, 65 acres of conservation cover crops, 8 pet waste stations, and more.

10. Holding Kinder Morgan accountable for cleaning up a massive diesel spill

In 2014, the Kinder Morgan pipeline in Belton, SC ruptured and spilled more than 369,000 gallons of gasoline into the surrounding environment. UF partnered with the Southern Environmental Law Center and Savannah Riverkeeper to file a Clean Water Act lawsuit against Kinder Morgan to ensure adequate cleanup, a process that took years and went as far as the US Supreme Court. Kinder Morgan eventually settled for $1.5 million. The Anderson Water Council was then established to oversee the distribution of settlement funds for projects that improve watershed health and community engagement in Anderson County.

11. Connecting people to our rivers and lakes

With support from the Callie and John Rainey Foundation and other partners, UF led coordination of blueway trail mapping throughout SC to catalyze river access across the Upstate. This project connects paddlers of all skill levels to the best water recreation sites across the state via www.PaddleSC.com. We are also proud to have worked with SCDHEC and the Clemson Center for Watershed Excellence to help establish SC Adopt-A-Stream, a citizen-science program that trains residents to monitor water quality in their local waterways.

12. Removal of contaminated dams & sediment

Between 1955 and 1977, a manufacturing plant discharged over 400,000 pounds of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a highly toxic chemical, into a tributary of Twelve Mile River, resulting in widespread contamination in the river and Lake Hartwell. Alongside the Lake Hartwell Association and Pickens Soil and Water Conservation District, UF successfully advocated for implementation of the federal court’s consent decree to remove PCB-contaminated sediment and two dams on the river.

13. Opposing an unneeded ‘mega-landfill’

When an unnecessary and redundant mega-landfill was proposed in Spartanburg County in 2005, we joined efforts to successfully stop its development, in addition to promoting waste reduction and recycling through collection events for household hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals.

14. Local land use policies that encourage green space, reduce sprawl, and enhance mobility

From the beginning, UF has recognized that conservation and land use policy go hand in hand. While this kind of advocacy can be slow-moving and incremental, it is essential to our future if we want to balance growth with other community priorities like greenspace and affordable housing. We celebrate the successful policies UF has advocated for, including:

• More robust protection for vanishing tree canopy, City of Greenville | 2021
  Greenville City Council adopted a substantially revised and strengthened tree ordinance in an effort to protect remaining tree canopy within the city limits. Urban tree canopy is critical for sequestering carbon, removing air pollutants, filtering stormwater, slowing runoff, providing cooling shade, and reducing urban heat island effects.
• A more inclusive downtown development code, City of Spartanburg | 2015
  This regulatory structure implemented the vision and goals of the Downtown Master Plan by first establishing formbased regulations for the development and redevelopment of the central business district, and then expanded into the Northside Neighborhood.
• Promoting sidewalks & bike paths, City of Clemson | 2018
  This was a major revision to the city’s land development regulations, establishing and/or strengthening regulations related to tree canopy and requirements for developers to install sidewalks/bike paths identified in adopted plans.
• Empowering rural landowners, Greenville County | 2021
  With input from rural landowners and local farmers, County Council established an “Agricultural Preservation” Zoning District, providing citizens with an important voluntary tool to preserve the county’s remaining farmlands.
• Preserving the character of Highway 11, Pickens County | 2022
  UF supported a citizen-led effort to adopt a Pickens County ordinance aimed at protecting the unique beauty of the Scenic Highway 11 Corridor through design standards and development limitations. The ordinance will ensure development along this iconic route is in keeping with its scenic and rural character.
• Breakthrough ordinances encouraging thoughtful growth, Spartanburg County | 2019
  The Spartanburg County Performance Zoning for the southwest region enabled mixed-use development for the first time in unincorporated areas of the county while providing protections for compatibility with residential and other uses. A Road Classification Plan and new subdivision regulations laid the groundwork for future adoption of performance zoning for other unincorporated regions of the county.
• Strengthened protection for unzoned rural land, Greenville County | 2021
  To address rapid development of rural land, County Council established Rural Conservation Subdivision Guidelines to apply to all unzoned properties in the unincorporated area, which strengthened protection for riparian buffers and open space and maintained protections for endangered and threatened species. Simultaneously, Council strengthened requirements for developers to share in the cost of needed infrastructure upgrades and mitigate traffic impacts.

15. An eye-opening growth projection study

UF and partners released a landmark Upstate Growth Study conducted by Clemson University’s Strom Thurmond Institute in 2008, followed by another eye-opening growth alternatives analysis in 2016 – both highlighting the trade-offs of various growth choices and what our region will look like decades from now if current development patterns and policies remain unchanged. Long story short: the studies found that the Upstate is consuming land at an alarming rate, and it is imperative that we explore alternatives to this sprawling growth pattern.

16. The Impact Greenville coalition

Coalition work is an important aspect of our work, especially as part of collective advocacy. To more effectively advance better land use policies, we partnered with local stakeholders to establish Impact Greenville, a diverse coalition working to shape public policy at the intersection of housing, transportation, and land use. Impact Greenville also hosts thought-provoking community education events to advocate for policy change.

17. 250+ citizens engaged in advocacy training & events

UF is dedicated to demystifying the land use planning process for local residents. Since 2019, we’ve engaged over 250 Greenville residents in Citizens Planning Academies, advocacy trainings, and postcard-writing social events. The academies help residents navigate the policy making process and give them the tools to influence it.

18. The Active Living event series

From 2012-2015, UF hosted the quarterly Active Living event series based in Spartanburg County and sponsored by the Mary Black Foundation. The series was designed to encourage community dialogue about policies and infrastructure that promote physical activity to improve public health.

19. Greenville Office Project

Following UF’s first-ever capital campaign, we completed the LEED Platinum-certified renovation of our Greenville office meeting EarthCraft green building standards. This project set an example for the adaptation of existing structures to meet modern, environmentally-conscious standards. Our office, located at 507 Pettigru Street, features: a roof made of sustainably-harvested wood and treated with a nontoxic preservative that prevents decay, reclaimed heart pine flooring from three Upstate textile mills, solar panels that provide about a quarter of our electrical power, a “green roof,” native plant landscaping, and rain barrels for irrigation.

20. Advocacy for clean energy solutions

UF works at the state level to reduce unnecessary energy infrastructure while we lay the groundwork for a regulatory and policy environment that encourages clean renewable energy, energy storage, demand side management, and energy efficiency in the most flexible and cost-effective manner possible. Some energy successes:

• The 2019 Energy Freedom Act to protect rooftop solar, allow for public engagement in utility resource plans, protect customers from rising costs, preserve the ability to manage individual energy use, and promote utility adoption of clean energy resources.
• The 2019 Solar on Superfund bill and 2020 Market Reform Study bills that advance the state’s pro-solar actions and address utility regulation.
• Intervening in Public Service Commission dockets to hold electric utilities accountable and advocate for initiatives that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

21. Addressing harmful coal ash storage

UF worked with the Southern Environmental Law Center to secure a voluntary agreement with Duke Energy in 2015 for the excavation of the Lee Steam Station coal ash ponds located along the Saluda River in Anderson County. We also helped with the effort to stop a proposed coal ash landfill in Pickens County.

22. Keeping a watchful eye on pipeline plans

We act as a watchdog for harmful pipeline projects and advocate for accountability between pipeline companies and local communities. UF has worked with residents to vet pipeline plans and oppose unnecessary ones, including a line proposed by Piedmont Natural Gas in 2020 and 2021 in sensitive ecosystems and working lands in Northern Greenville County.

23. State conservation and resilience funding

UF has been working with the SC Office of Resilience and other advocates on the new agency’s task force to develop the State Resilience Plan which would apply policies that benefit Upstate communities, including nature-based solutions and strategic land conservation.

24. Working to combat toxic “forever chemicals”

Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS — toxic per and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are found widely throughout SC’s water supply. In recent years, UF has been investigating PFAS contamination in Upstate drinking water systems and working with SCDHEC and advocates to develop legislation and regulations to protect citizens from exposure.

25. Protecting Glassy Mountain

In 2017, we successfully appealed a proposed 254-home subdivision that would have forever altered the character, landscape, and hydrology of Glassy Mountain, a Pickens County icon. We worked with the landowners and community members to realize a conservation solution, and the mountain view will remain intact for all to enjoy.

+ Looking Ahead

We are excited about the future, and are already working on some new initiatives that will continue to transform the Upstate while protecting its natural resources and enhancing quality of life. Here are a few projects and focus areas we have in store:

• Saluda Grade Rail Trail
  We are hard at work facilitating, with partners, a potential rail trail following the unused Saluda Grade rail line for approximately 31 miles through Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina. The trail would be a transformational recreation amenity for our region. Visit SaludaGradeTrail.org for more information and updates.
• Tyger River Confluence Park & Blueway
  Alongside the Tyger River Foundation and other partners, UF is working to protect four beautiful parcels on the Tyger River totaling 201 acres with 2.5 miles of river frontage and prominent features, including 136- acre confluence property, Tyger 10 Nature Park, Nesbitt Farm, and the future location for the Tyger River Nature Center. This interconnected system of properties and recreational facilities will promote public recreation opportunities for the community.
• Protecting high-priority small parcels
  Although our Land Trust typically prioritizes protection for large properties, we realize there are many smaller properties that offer an outsized contribution to the region’s conservation footprint and quality of life. This may include urban greenspaces, iconic historic/cultural grounds, and neighborhood parks. We are also seeking to address historic inequities by intentionally working to protect more properties within historically underserved communities or owned by an individual who identifies as a person of color.
• Electric Vehicles
  UF is renewing focus on making electric vehicles accessible and identifying common-sense approaches to electrification and barriers to adoption. This spring, we are hosting an “EV Equity Summit” to facilitate collaboration among Greenville communities and other stakeholders to ensure we are effectively advocating for policies that equitably increase mobility, neighborhood connectivity, and reduce pollution.
• Enhanced Land Management
  We’re excited for our new Land Management Program that enhances the land conservation work we already do by communicating techniques, impacts, and lessons learned to landowners and the larger community; promoting the natural resiliency of protected properties by combating invasive plants, restoring grasslands, building trails, and installing native plantings; and engaging the community.

Photo sources: Sunrift Adventures on the Prisma Health Swamp Trail by Visit Greenville SC; Lake Greenwood by jon holloway; Spartanburg County landfill by Alex Hicks Jr; Glassy Mountain view by Explore Pickens County

But how many people in the Upstate would agree with me? Would I be able to attract enough financial support to hire staff and be successful?

This process included endless conversations with my patient wife Diane. When I asked her to talk about it one more time, she said firmly, “No, Brad. I think we’ve done enough talking. You should do it. Everything will be fine.”

That was the push I needed, and I decided to go for it. I figured worst case, I could always return to being a lawyer.

I’ll never forget September 1, 1998. That was the first day of my new life as the Executive Director of Upstate Forever when I made the short walk from the bedroom to the office at my home. 

One of my first tasks was to write and send out Upstate Forever’s first newsletter to explain the mission and ask for support. I mailed hundreds to friends, family, former clients, and even a few strangers. It included a “ten point plan for sensible growth” which still provides the foundation for much of the work we do. 

"I knew that an organization [like Upstate Forever] was desperately needed to protect the Upstate and to keep it from becoming 'Any Place, USA.'

"I decided that I wanted to try to give something back to this area because it has been very good to me and my family and it is one of the most beautiful places in the country. It’s worth fighting for."

– Excerpt from the first-ever issue of the Upstate Advocate newsletter, written in Spring 1999

Three days later, I opened our box at the post office, and it was chock full of envelopes with checks. At that moment, I knew for sure that Upstate Forever would be a success. Diane was right — everything would be fine.

More good things soon started to happen. Generous grants allowed me to hire staff, open our Spartanburg office, and undertake important regional projects. We started closing conservation easements, and more and more people were becoming members.

Now, on this 25th anniversary, I rejoice in the progress and accomplishments of Upstate Forever. I’m honored, humbled and deeply grateful for all of the support we’ve received from so many—our board, advisory council, staff, members, volunteers, companies, foundations, and government agencies. 

Thank you for making it possible to do our work in striving to keep the Upstate as the best region in the world… forever.

In addition to the 2023 awards program, this event included a celebration of Upstate Forever's 25th anniversary. If you were unable to join us in person, we invite you to experience ForeverGreen 2023:

• View the photo album
• Watch the award recipient videos
• Flip through the digital event program

2023 award recipients

Glenn hilliard

For his tireless advocacy for trails, green spaces, and natural places, and his leadership in the Saluda Grade Trail initiative, Glenn Hilliard was recognized as Tommy Wyche Land Conservation Champion.

Ben Duncan

For his determined advocacy at the state level for enhanced water quality and smart approaches to resource protection, South Carolina Chief Resilience Officer Ben Duncan received the Clean Water Champion award.

Representative Chandra Dillard

For her consistent voice in support of important land and water protection issues, sustainable community development, and affordable housing in the Upstate and statewide, the Honorable Chandra E. Dillard was named Public Servant of the Year.

Dr. Joe Lesesne

For a lifetime of service to the natural world; dedication to Upstate Forever as an advocate, board member, and board chair; and common-sense conservation leadership throughout the state, Dr. Joe Lesesne received the Brad Wyche Extraordinary Achievement Award.

Click here to watch a video about each of these honorees

Thank you, partners!

Many thanks to the partners that helped ForeverGreen 2023 come to life including emcee Carol Clarke, Smoak Public Relations, Electric Soul Creative, Embassy Flowers, Kristy's Balloon Decorations, and our hosts, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the sponsors who generously supported this celebration:

- EMERALD SPONSORS -

- SPRUCE SPONSORS -

- CEDAR SPONSORS -

Across the nation – and especially across the Upstate – the current housing stock fails to meet the needs of all residents. To help remedy this issue, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have been championed as a strategy to diversify housing stock and better meet varied housing needs. During a time when the Upstate is struggling to meet the demand for housing, ADUs may be part of the solution.  

ADUs, also called “in-law suites” or “granny flats,” are secondary, smaller dwelling units located on the same lot as a primary dwelling unit. ADUs can look very different depending on the home, but all ADUs are designed to blend seamlessly into the neighborhood. In many cases, you may not even know an ADU is there. Examples of ADUs include a basement conversion, a garage conversion, or a detached unit (like a backyard cottage).  

ADUs are uniquely positioned to meet a variety of housing needs. ADUs offer an additional living space for multigenerational families, such as young adults returning home or older family members wanting to age in place (a trend that increased during the pandemic). ADUs can also offer an additional source of income for homeowners, while filling a gap in affordable housing.  

From a conservation perspective, ADUs have a small environmental footprint. Instead of building out and contributing to sprawl, ADUs take advantage of the space on residential lots that already exists. In doing so, ADUs can utilize existing infrastructure and save more resources.  

It’s worth noting that not all homeowners have met ADUs with excitement. Some residents have expressed concern that ADUs may change the distinct character or feel of a neighborhood. Others have shared trepidation that a rise in neighborhood density could result in increased demands for parking and school enrollment.  

Luckily, strong policies can resolve these concerns at the outset. For example, ADUs are often limited to one structure and a maximum square footage per lot, which results in minimal increased need for parking. Design standards can also ensure that ADUs are set back from the primary residence and designed to match the feel of the neighborhood and style of the primary residence. Since ADUs predominantly serve young adults, extended family members, and small households, it is unlikely that ADUs will significantly impact school enrollment. Lastly, many ordinances create restrictions on short-term rentals, so residents don’t have to worry about Airbnbs infiltrating their neighborhood.  

Are ADUs going to start springing up all over your neighborhood anytime soon? Probably not. According to Alexandria’s principal planner, Sam Shelby, “This isn’t going to change your neighborhood overnight or even in a generation.”  Even if ADUs are permitted in your zoning district, it is highly unlikely that every neighbor will decide to pay for the high cost of construction and maintenance needed to build an ADU (or decide to take on the task of becoming a landlord).  

For example, in St. Paul, MN - a city with a population of over 300,000 residents - only 12 ADUs were built by late 2021 (after passing an ordinance to allow ADUs in 2018). In Boise, Idaho – a city with a population of over 235,000 residents (and more than triple the size of Greenville) – only 20 permits were issued in 2019.  

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that ADUs are just another tool in the toolbox. Although ADUs fill a critical gap in housing needs, they are not a cure all strategy. That said, they are a good place to start.   

Allie Martinsen is Land Policy Manager for Upstate Forever. You can email her at amartinsen@upstateforever.org. 

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you?
I think the Upstate is a remarkable place, and I want to see its unique identity preserved for generations. Upstate Forever’s work allows me to spend every day advocating for the conservation of land and special places. 

What has been the most unexpected part of your role?
The most unexpected part of my role has been the surprise opportunities for connection. My role has allowed me to feel rooted in the community whether it’s working with another resident to track down information at City Hall or identifying shared concerns with community partners. 

What impression has the Upstate had on you?
I remember visiting the Upstate for the first time and feeling overcome by the strong sense of community, unique localities, and remarkable opportunities for outdoor recreation. In other words, the Upstate captured my heart quickly.

What hobbies do you enjoy? 
For a long time, I thought I would end up working directly in nutrition which can be seen in my passion for cooking and localizing our food systems. I also love to read and hike with my dog. 

Who do you look up to?
My first entry point into land planning and policy was reading The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs. I give Jacobs credit for starting my journey into land planning. 

Is there a motto, mantra, or slogan that drives you?
In policy work, change often feels slow and faces resistance. One thing I try to remember is:
“We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are” – Max De Pree

More about Allie

Allie Martinsen joined Upstate Forever as Land Policy Manager in January 2023. Originally from Kansas City, she graduated from Saint Louis University with a degree in Philosophy, Psychology, and Gender Studies. She previously worked as a special education teacher in New York, which cemented her lifelong love of learning and passion for advancing systems-level change through policy. After teaching, she received a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis where she concentrated in Domestic Social and Economic Development. Before moving to Spartanburg, she conducted research related to food policy and nutrition insecurity.

In her role at Upstate Forever, Allie is excited to use her expertise to advance policies that prevent sprawl, protect green spaces, and preserve the distinct character of communities. 

In her free time, you can find Allie reading in a coffee shop, browsing a farmer’s market or hiking with her dog.

Together our nonprofits are leading efforts to repurpose the inactive rail line as a trail that will run from Upstate South Carolina into the mountains of Western North Carolina. The Saluda Grade Trail will run through Inman, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, Saluda, and Zirconia. Along its route, the trail will feature rural scenery, vibrant small towns, historic landmarks, and gorgeous nature preserves, lakes, and waterfalls. It is expected to be a multi-use trail that will be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

Next steps

Our coalition has a signed agreement with Norfolk Southern establishing the price and other terms of a future purchase. At the request of the railroad, the terms of the agreement are subject to a confidentiality agreement. The coalition expects to close on the rail corridor within two years and is pursuing state and federal funding opportunities. In South Carolina, the coalition is advocating for an $11 million investment by the state this year.

The coalition is also taking further steps to advance the Saluda Grade Trail. It has begun the process of an economic impact and feasibility study that will shed light on how the trail will shape local economies and how to move forward with the project. This summer, the coalition will be reaching out to landowners and stakeholders along the trail to seek their input on the opportunities and challenges presented by the trail and approaches that will best meet the needs of the community.

Hear from Saluda Grade Trail coalition partners

“We’re pleased to announce this exciting progress toward the goal of a rail trail that will serve as an economic engine for our communities, provide an abundance of recreational opportunities, and improve people’s health by encouraging exercise and time in nature.” – Kieran Roe, Executive Director of Conserving Carolina

"In addition to being beloved community assets, trails energize economies. We've seen this play out with the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, which is a resounding success. The Saluda Grade Trail will bring new jobs and money to the area, encourage safe outdoor recreation, and improve quality of life for residents. It's a visionary project with a return that will far exceed any initial investment." – Andrea Cooper, Executive Director of Upstate Forever

“The Saluda Grade Rail Trail will be a transformative project for the region. This rail-to-trail will be a destination and provide a boost to the Spartanburg County tourism economy, especially for the cities along the route like Landrum, Campobello and Inman. During the first year that the trail is open to the community, 125,000 visitors are expected. The majority of those visitors will buy lunch or a beverage, shop along main streets, and hopefully spend the night.

In addition, trails provide significant health benefits, and the Saluda Grade will do just that. Physical inactivity is a major cause of most chronic diseases and access to recreation areas and trails increases physical activity for people of all ages, abilities and income levels. The creation of trails is an investment in preventative health and studies show that every $1 investment leads to almost $3 in direct medical benefit.” – Laura Ringo, Executive Director of PAL

How to get involved

We are preparing a website — expected to launch this spring — for the Saluda Grade Trail where the public will be able to find information and ways to get involved.

In the meantime, you can sign up to receive email updates here. Learn more or make a donation to the trail at the website of any of the partners in the Saluda Grade Trail coalition:

• conservingcarolina.org/saluda-grade
• palspartanburg.org/saludagradetrail
• upstateforever.org/saluda-grade

Conserving Carolina is leading efforts on the North Carolina side of the trail, while PAL and Upstate Forever are leading efforts in South Carolina.

As we start a new year and begin implementing Upstate Forever’s strategic plan that will guide our team’s work from 2023-2027, we wanted to share some of the work behind our words. Below is a status update regarding the goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion set forth in 2020.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Upstate Forever’s mission is to protect critical lands, waters, and the unique character of the Upstate region. We envision a future that is healthy, vibrant, and prosperous. To realize that vision, we know it is vitally important and essential to our core values that we engage the diverse community we serve.

1. To develop and advance long-lasting, equitable solutions for balanced growth and natural resource protection, our leadership is committed to working intentionally to engage a broader base of Upstate residents in the coming years.

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to:

• In 2022, Land Trust sought funding for Black landowners’ conservation easements and investigated outreach opportunities in Black communities through local news outlets and a presentation with the SC State Extension. The UF Land Trust Board Committee approved a new priority property criterion aimed at facilitating work with more landowners of color. The new criterion enabled UF to close an easement that will forever protect Soapstone Baptist Church, established more than 150 years ago in Liberia, a small community in Pickens County. Soapstone was settled by formerly enslaved African Americans and their families looking to start new lives in freedom after the Civil War.
   

• Clean Water staff pursued funding through the Environmental Justice Data Fund to map water quality and environmental justice indicators and create an interactive tool that can be used to promote advocacy efforts, inform watershed planning, and connect UF to historically underserved Upstate communities. The team continues working with partners in source water protection areas to provide financial assistance to low-income homeowners to fix failing septic systems.

• Land Policy staff began working collaboratively with partners to raise awareness of – and begin rectifying – injustices caused by discriminatory land policies that have led to racial and socio-economic inequity in the Upstate and countrywide. Staff also worked to ensure diverse cohorts of participants in our Citizens Planning Academy (CPA) and integrated a session regarding Equity in Planning into UF’s CPA in fall 2022, which was extremely well received. Staff worked with partners at Impact Greenville – a coalition working to shape public policy at the intersection of affordable housing, transit, and land use – to ensure the voices of those most impacted by the policies we seek are at the table as we build our advocacy agenda.

• Energy and State Policy Staff worked extensively to expand advocacy efforts to underserved communities. The program was awarded funding by the Energy Foundation to broaden the base of support for electric vehicles among elected officials, businesses, and communities who are traditionally overlooked for federal and state investments. The team is involved with the newly formed SC Energy Justice Coalition and worked to help distribute surveys to measure the energy burden of underserved communities around the state. The results were analyzed by the University of Maryland and will be used to educate policymakers and bring attention to the issue of energy insecurity in South Carolina.

2. We will build staff knowledge and capacity related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will frequently ask ourselves — who is impacted by this work, and how is their voice represented in the conservation and advocacy solutions we seek? We will amplify the stories of underrepresented stakeholders in the conservation movement — especially people of color.

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to:

• Staff continue rotating the responsibility of sharing monthly DEI resources and facilitate related thought-provoking discussions. In the fall of 2022, we began exploring and scheduling training for staff to build and strengthen equity and justice competencies most relevant to Upstate Forever's work, the first of which was related to inclusive language in September. These trainings will continue quarterly in 2023.
   

• Our Communications team is actively working to amplify voices of diverse leaders in the conservation movement — both at the local level and more broadly. For Black History Month, we shared (on social media and in our e-newsletter) content about local Black leaders in conservation and environmental justice: Drew Lanham, Mable Clarke, Mary Duckett, and Rep. Harold Mitchell. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), we shared the essay by Alix Pedraza that originally ran in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the Upstate Advocate. For Native American Heritage Month (November), we highlighted the Cherokee people who endured forced removal from their ancestral lands, which encompassed the region that is now Upstate South Carolina.

• Our Clean Water team dedicated time to outside training and research in equity-related topics that will help inform future projects and grant opportunities. The team has identified climate resilience as a key issue, especially how climate change vulnerability intersects with additional risks in historically disenfranchised communities. This research has included topics related to heat vulnerability, tree canopy cover, housing in floodplains, and drinking water/wastewater service affordability.

• The Spring Advocate, which arrived in early May, included an update on our DEI strategic goals and six personal essays by women with remarkable conservation stories. This issue's essays included two Black leaders, Mable Clarke and Ruth Littlejohn; Alix Pedraza, a Colombian woman who manages SCDNR's Diversity Outreach program; and Sandy Hanebrink, a disability rights advocate.

• We are expanding accessibility awareness among Development and Communications staff to ensure event planning and promotion are inclusive for people with disabilities.

3. Finally, we will take deliberate steps to build authentic community partnerships and cultivate new leaders at all levels of our organization — from our membership to our staff to our board — to ensure that we better represent the community we serve.

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to:

• In 2022 we contracted with a local consultant to facilitate a strategic planning process to guide our work for the next five years, with a focus on integrating equity and justice principles into the plan. The process included discussions with staff and board focused around connecting with diverse communities and environmental justice, as well as a focus group of stakeholders underrepresented in previous strategic planning processes. The plan was adopted by our Board in late 2022.
   
• We worked during 2022 to institutionalize best practices related to inclusive recruitment, interview, and hiring processes. To ensure objectivity related to salaries, we developed criteria (skills, experience, knowledge, etc.) to be directly linked to pay rates, salary increases, and promotions. Additionally, plans to create a paid diversity internship program are underway and expected to launch in 2023.

This work is ongoing and we want to listen and learn from members of the Upstate community. Please contact lhallo@upstateforever.org with questions and comments. 

Open space defines our relationship to our communities by telling a story about the place we live. Across the Upstate – from the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville to the Mary Black Rail Trail in Spartanburg – local identity is shaped by the way cities preserve and take advantage of open space. Despite its central importance in placemaking, the value of open space is far too often only realized after it’s gone. As the Upstate develops rapidly, the need to balance open space with new growth will only continue.

Open space typically refers to any land that is left mostly undeveloped and accessible to the public. Look closely, and you can find examples of open space all around us, such as public parks, community gardens, and landscaped walkable boulevards.

However, it’s worth noting that some neighbors may have to look harder for open space than others. According to a recent article on park access across the Lowcountry, low-income communities and BIPOC communities are less likely to live within a 10-minute walking distance from parks or green space. This disparity highlights the need for policies that create, preserve, and distribute open space more equitably across all communities.

The benefits of open space are numerous. One of the most important benefits of open space is its social value. Open space can help build social capital in a community by providing neighbors with opportunities for social interaction and engagement. In fact, one research study revealed that public parks in urban areas are directly correlated to higher reported levels of community well-being.

Open space improves health and well-being by providing opportunities for movement and recreation. A recent feature by the American Psychological Association also revealed that green space “nurtures” us by improving mental health and cognition.

Of course, open space helps our environment too. During the hot and humid days of summer, green spaces cool our cities down. Urban trees also support air and water quality by filtering pollutants and reducing stormwater runoff.

Across the nation, cities are beginning to wake up to the need for open space preservation. Some municipalities have employed zoning strategies to help balance land development with the need for open space as their population grows. For instance, incentive programs within zoning codes can encourage developers to provide specific public benefits as part of a development project, including open space or funding for open space acquisition and maintenance.

In exchange for public benefits, developers are allowed to exceed certain zoning limitations. For example, a height bonus is a logical way to incentivize the creation of additional open space in a development project, since building up, rather than out, allows more land area to be made available for use as open space. Other municipalities have created open space zoning districts to ensure open space is adequately preserved in future planning decisions.

Looking ahead, it’s clear that growth in the Upstate isn’t slowing down any time soon. But there are ways to manage growth to create even more livable and equitable communities for those who live here now. My hope is that local leaders across the Upstate region will work together to improve our quality of life by preserving ample open space before it’s too late.

Allie Martinsen is Land Policy Manager for Upstate Forever. You can email her at amartinsen@upstateforever.org. 

The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation is a leading expert in the field of preventing land loss due to title issues, and their model has been replicated outside of South Carolina. They have been essential in helping many Black families protect and keep their land.

All photos provided by the Center for Heirs' Property Preservation

What is an heirs’ property?

Most heirs’ property in the Lowcountry is land that was either purchased by or deeded to African Americans after emancipation. Much of this land has been passed down through the generations without the benefit of a will so that the land is owned in common by all the heirs – sometimes hundreds of descendants – whether they live on the land, help pay taxes, or have never set foot on the land.

But not every case we deal with goes way back to emancipation. In the state of SC, if you’ve not probated a will within the ten years that the state gives you, then you can have an heirs’ property. So quite often the property issue is fairly recent in scope and may have occurred within the last ten years. Heirs’ property is not just an African American issue in the southeast either – it really occurs anywhere there is a large group of underserved landowners.

Why is heirs’ property a problem?

Heirs’ property is an unstable form of ownership at high risk for loss because any heir can sell their percentage of ownership to another who can force a sale of the entire property.

It is fascinating to see the scope of the issue; to quote Lizzy Presser’s article in ProPublica – “Their Family Bought Land One Generation After Slavery. The Reels Brothers Spent Eight Years in Jail for Refusing to Leave It.” – heirs’ property is “the worst problem you’ve never heard of.”

Why are there so many Black landowners suffering from heirs’ property issues in the Lowcountry?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recognized heirs’ property as “the leading cause of Black involuntary land loss.” It can trace back to emancipation, but the bigger issue is the trust factor that we deal with quite often. When you have a history of not trusting government, law, and other outside entities because of the history of Black land loss and discriminatory practices, it is difficult to help people without a title.

When we do education and outreach, we try to partner with an organization that has community trust. We will do seminars at churches, community centers, veterans’ organizations where we ride the coattails of trust that already exists.

We have a program called Woodland Community Advocates (WCA) made of people we’ve already helped, who have firsthand experiences of our services and are already in the community we’re trying to reach. They do a 6-course program with us that trains them how to answer questions – almost like evangelists for the community. When people hear from a neighbor or friend who has gotten results with us, that makes people much more open minded to hearing about what we can do to help them. We have almost 90 WCAs here in the Lowcountry servings as outreach liaisons at community events where talk to different people to educate and get them into the program. They are our boots on the street, grassroots advocates who help get the rural people on board.

Are heirs’ property issues specific to the southeast?

No, there’s heirs’ property in Appalachia, there’s heirs’ property out west on tribal lands, and even just last year the Pew Institute published a piece looking at heirs’ properties in urban areas: “How ‘Tangled Titles’ Affect Philadelphia.” A lot of people think heirs’ property is just a rural issue, but it is also an urban one.

What are The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation’s main areas of expertise, and what services do you offer?

Our three buckets of work include Prevention, Resolution, and Sustainable Land Use.

We started out with the education bucket: telling people about the issue, helping with free wills clinics, and trying to prevent land loss. Then we added our resolution bucket, which is the legal aspect where we fix things and we clear those titles, and over time we realized these two buckets didn’t go far enough.

That’s when we added the utilization bucket, or sustainable land use. We saw that landowners were used to working for the land by paying taxes, and being a landowner was almost a burden to them. So we try to turn that around and have the land work for them. Now we have foresters on staff for our forestry program because if you have land in SC, chances are you have trees on it. If the land is not suitable for forestry, then we have other partners that we can bring in for solar, agriculture uses, etc. to help create that generational wealth, which is really the key to lifting people out of poverty.

At the foundation of what we do is helping people who want to keep their land create generational wealth. We help them make a plan for their family and future generations. When we clear the title, then landowners have access to government programs that can help them with agriculture or forestry programs.

Do you do any work in the Midlands or Upstate?

We are based in North Charleston, but we have a satellite office in Orangeburg and are weeks away from opening one in Florence. And next year we will have one in Columbia. We are continually expanding our footprint and opened up the Pee Dee area a couple years ago. We continue to add 2-3 counties a year, and we hope to cover the whole state in the future.

How does your work help other regions of the country?

We have a replication model and, even though we serve SC, our expertise and the unique way we deliver direct legal services to our clients has been replicated elsewhere. We’re seen as the expert, and we took our model to the state of Mississippi and partnered with Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ) with some funding from the World Wildlife Fund. The MCJ is taking what we’ve learned over the last 18 years and applying it to the state of MS. We have other people contacting us from other states to potentially do the same thing in other places.

What happens to heirs’ property when natural disasters hit?

We field lots of calls from the press about climate change, and people want to talk about that because it really does impact the poor and underserved more often than others. Sometimes those flooding and natural disaster issues repeat, unfortunately, at a greater rate for the people we work with than average folks.

One of the things we’ve helped with came to fruition last year when FEMA changed the rules. Before, when heirs’ properties couldn’t prove their title, they didn’t qualify for federal funds in the face of disaster. The rule change will help underserved property owners in the future because it keeps them from entering that vicious cycle where if they can’t fix the roof, mold problem, etc. then the next time it rains or floods it just creates this vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself.

Testimonials

Mishawn Holt is a veteran who returned to his family land in the Pee Dee region from Baltimore, Maryland. He wanted to take a more active role in his family’s land, particularly since the land was underutilized and they had previously had a negative experience in being consulted as to what to do with their land. Thanks to a referral from Darlington residents James and Mariscia Cooper, who were already working with the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation™, Mr. Holt decided to meet with representatives from the Center.

On April 28th, Center Forester Kenneth Dunn along with Center Staff Attorney Aashini Shrivastav traveled to Darlington for the initial meeting. Kenneth did an aerial site survey thanks to drone technology of Mr. Holt’s land. Now thanks to the Center, he’s being given continued technical assistance on how better to utilize his more than 30 acres of family land. He is now part of the Center’s Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention program and has a plan in place to help in managing and harvesting his timber, making his family land work for him instead of him working for his land. The goal is to help create wealth for his family and future generations.

The Center and the SFLR program helps people like Lille McGill. Like the trees that surround her, Lillie McGill stands proud on her family land. She has been involved with the Center’s Sustainable Forestry Program since 2014. She lives on her 25-acre property in the town of Kingstree. She manages her family land for forestry. Her husband of 51 years, Norman McGill, has passed away. When Mrs. McGill was younger, she used to walk to school with her future husband, never dreaming that they would one day marry. She and her husband bought the land her husband’s family once sharecropped. Recently her daughter purchased the home where her grandparents once lived. It’s now on the National Register of Historic Places and she hopes to restore it and turn it into a bed and breakfast. Mrs. McGill is working with a private forest consulting group to get her timber cut and has a small wetland on her property that she would like to conserve.

“Her brother told her that the wetland has quicksand on it,” said Steve Patterson, Director of Forestry for the Center. “I think Mrs. McGill is a very special lady, however, she is also very determined. She did not seem too worried about that quicksand when she put on her rubber boots and grabbed her bush axe to lead us through her property on a site visit.”

Strong and determined is how Steve describes her and Mrs. McGill just laughs, “I’m not exactly sure about that,” she said. “The Center has helped me over the years. From making sure my affairs are in order by completing my Will, to helping me with forestry and conservation in making my land work for me.”

Another participant with the Center and the SFLR program is landowner Anthony Williams. Center Foresters David Bourgeois and Kenneth Dunn traveled to Elloree, South Carolina to visit him on his nearly 65 acres of land in Orangeburg County, 42 acres of which have been recently planted in pine trees. David and Kenneth were there to monitor the success of the recent planting and to check on the health of the trees.

Mr. Williams reflected on meeting up with David shortly after learning about the Center and being approved for the SFLR program. Dave gave me all the guidance I needed.” He smiled as he went on about getting his trees planted earlier than other people in the area. “David and I and my wife were actually putting out the marker flags while they were planting the trees right behind us.”

“Mr. Williams land is a little more challenging than some,” said Center Forester David Bourgeois. “Instead of all his land being in one simple, big plot, it’s scattered in smaller strips. This makes it a little more difficult to service, but we find ways to make it work. We know how important his land is to him and his family.”

“I was born and raised on this land,” said Mr. Williams, standing just steps away from where his childhood home once stood. “It is a different feeling though for my kids. They just aren’t as attached to the land as I am. My hope in planting these trees is that it might help them fall in love with the land.” Sustainable forestry is helping Mr. Williams generate wealth for the future of his family, and he is using other methods as well to help his children and grandchildren bond with the land. “I took my grandkids out and had them plant two trees on the land. I will keep bringing them down here as long as I’m alive and show them those two trees they planted.” Mr. Williams trees, as well as his family, together are growing strong.

Elizabeth Swails is the Communications Coordinator for Upstate Forever. You can contact her at eswails@upstateforever.org.

What do you enjoy most about working for Upstate Forever?
The people, for sure! Everyone at UF is smart, determined, and confident in what they do. It's a joy to work with such a collaborative and dedicated team of people who adapt to an ever-evolving organization so well. UF would not be the same without the strong team that's been assembled, and I'm honored to be a part of it for 10 years now. 

What does a typical work day for a Clean Water & GIS Manager look like?
While no two days are ever really alike, on a typical day, you can find me behind my computer with a cat on my lap and a latte on my desk. I call myself a "computer conservationist" because a lot of the impact I make is done through mapping; analyzing data and presenting it in impactful ways is really fun for me, especially as someone who doesn't particularly care for camping. Every day and every need is different, and I love the predictable unpredictability of mapping. Using a map to solve a problem is one of the most unique and exciting parts of my job and honing the skills to create maps that help secure grant funding or affect a policy change is thrilling.

What has been the most unexpected part of your role?
When I started at UF, I had a medium-amount of GIS experience, but I could never have predicted how much I'd learn over 10 years and that mapping would be such an integral role of mine. I'm largely self-taught which has been an adventure; figuring out how to analyze data in a certain way to answer a question is the most intriguing part of my job. The questions change and evolve with the organization, so I'm constantly learning new ways to present data on a map. 

Where's your favorite spot in the Upstate?
I'm a huge fan of public greenspace and parks, especially now that I have two toddlers running around next to me. Finding fun parks to take them to and run off steam is a favorite weekend activity. If I had to pick one or two, Legacy Park and Conestee Nature Preserve are both pretty high on my list — fun playgrounds, plenty of space to walk and run, and moments of quiet peace away from the hustle of the world around us.

What hobbies do you enjoy? 
I love sewing, and my favorite projects have been quilts! In the past two years, I've made 8 quilts with another in progress, mostly as baby gifts for friends. I'm a third-generation sewist, but the worst of the three, learning and improving one project at a time. I'm assuming that farmer's markets and coffee shops can't be considered hobbies, but I love those activities as well!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
I never had any direction until I took an Environmental Sciences class in high school. That started me down the Environmental Sciences and Sustainability path at Furman University, where I took a GIS class and my interests were sealed. I still can't believe I get to do GIS and mapping for a conservation organization — my two true interests intersected into the most perfect job.

More about Katie

Katie Hottel joined Upstate Forever in 2013 with previous experience working for environmentally focused nonprofit organizations in the Greenville area. A graduate of Furman University with a degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences, she also holds a certification as a Senior Sustainability Professional. After studying GIS in school, Katie loves making maps for Upstate Forever!

Originally from Charlotte, NC, Katie fell in love with the Upstate during her time at Furman. In her free time, Katie enjoys exploring local restaurants and coffee shops, sewing, getting outdoors, and spending time with her family.

The water council and new grant program are part of Upstate Forever and Savannah Riverkeeper's efforts to spend legal settlement dollars from past polluters on long-term, community-driven projects that will safeguard Anderson’s water quality.

The recipients of the Anderson Water Council's first round of grant funding are the Anderson County Soil & Water Conservation District and Rocky River Conservancy:

• The Anderson County Soil & Water Conservation District's grant funds will provide local teachers and students with Adopt-a-Stream kits and link them to the KnowYourRiver.com database to monitor local conditions in local waterways, including Broadway Lake. The project will engage more than 1,000 participants in water quality activities in its first year.
• Rocky River Conservancy's grant project will engage the community in restoration efforts and water quality testing in the Rocky River Nature Park, a 148-acre public preserve. The Conservancy will also partner with TreesUpstate to plant buffers to further safeguard water quality.

The next funding opportunity will be in the summer of 2023. Entities seeking more information about the process can visit www.andersonwatercouncil.com or email info@andersonwatercouncil.com. 

In addition to sharing insights from Upstate Forever's staff of experts, we spoke with business and community leaders from across the region about the importance of balancing growth with other community priorities, such as ample green space, clean water, affordable housing, mobility options, and more equitable outcomes for all Upstate residents. Here's what they had to say... 

“ScanSource has been headquartered in Greenville for 30 years. Throughout this time, we have seen the incredible growth of business and industry; the amazing development of new communities; and the influx of talent, residents and much national attention.

I believe a key factor in the Upstate's success is our continued focus on driving sustainability and protecting the beautiful resources we are so fortunate to have access to in the Upstate. Striking that delicate balance between the creation of new jobs, innovation, and a higher standard of living, while also safeguarding our natural resources and the beauty of the region, makes the Upstate unique and a highly desirable region in which to live and work."

– MIKE BAUR, CEO OF SCANSOURCE

"Sustain SC connects sustainability leaders from South Carolina-based companies together with leaders from the government, conservation and business sectors. Collaboration is crucial in order to make meaningful progress as it relates to sustainability goals. Real change happens at the local level and building relationships makes it possible.

There are over 1,200 international companies in the Palmetto State, and many of these companies are committed to admirable goals — including net-zero, water positive, and zero waste ambitions. There’s a wealth of information to leverage, but when it comes to aligning priorities, it boils down to getting people in the same room. We help set the table for conversations between businesses and local stakeholders so that sustainability investments stay in SC — benefiting both our economic and natural resource infrastructures."

– ETHEL BUNCH, FOUNDER AND CEO OF SUSTAIN SC

"My mama always said 'children need to get their peck of dirt,' which means they need to get out and get dirty and play, enjoy the fresh air, learn about nature, dig for worms, and play with butterflies.

Children like to explore, and they need to have that opportunity to explore for their development. This December, the Self Family Foundation will celebrate 80 years of grant making in Greenwood. The funding has extended to all areas of life in the community — from health care to parks to trails to education. As we grow, the foundation continues to be at the center of what’s happening in Greenwood to help make it better"

– MAMIE NICHOLSON, PRESIDENT OF SELF FAMILY FOUNDATION

“A key component of economic development is quality of life, and the Upstate’s incredible natural beauty and outdoor recreational assets make us a destination that companies and people want to move to and experience.

Regions that exhibit a balance between growth and protection of natural resources are more competitive. Talent attraction and retention are vital for our region’s economic future, and we need to ensure that we are a place that values and preserves our natural resources and assets for future generations if we are to secure our long term economic vitality."

– JOHN LUMMUS, PRESIDENT & CEO OF UPSTATE SC ALLIANCE

"Greenspaces and natural resources have a dramatic effect on economic development and growth because they provide a place for communities to come together.

My hope is that, by creating more natural spaces for the citizens of Spartanburg to get outside, we will spur continual development, combat homelessness, and reduce crime. It helps make our beautiful city one in which all neighborhoods feel safe and promotes a sense of opportunity for all."

– JEFF TILLERSON, CITY OF SPARTANBURG SENIOR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER & UF BOARD MEMBER

"The City of Anderson is experiencing its most significant growth pattern in more than 50 years. A key to sustainable growth is being mindful of our natural resources with a view toward the long term.

We've created new parks like Church Street Plaza and North Main Commons while investing in significant upgrades to existing greenspaces like Linley Park. We have parts of an interconnected trail system in place with plans for completion on the drawing board as an element of our mobility and health strategy.

Equitable outcomes should be at the forefront of the process. This is imperative to be able to offer the types of amenities that move us toward our aspirational goal of being the most desirable city in the region." 

– TERENCE ROBERTS, CITY OF ANDERSON MAYOR

"One of the defining and indelible things that came out of the pandemic is the absolute need for local and regional destinations. Nature, adventure and all manner of outdoor pursuits need to be close by and accessible to all.

At Half Moon Outfitters, our internal mission statement is 'Our product is your experience.' Protecting habitat, and having access to pristine natural areas is essential to Half Moon and opens the door to having a great experience in the great outdoors." 

– BEEZER MOLTEN, FOUNDER OF HALF MOON OUTFITTERS

"The abundance of natural resources and pristine wilderness in Upstate South Carolina is a BIG factor in its recent popularity and growth.

World-renowned wilderness areas, our vast network of lakes and waterways, and the SC State Park system create a well-protected yet accessible avenue for people to experience the beautiful landscapes that make up South Carolina's Upstate.

Responsible stewardship and management of these resources will ensure they act as a draw for the area in terms of economics and quality of life in the future."

– ERIC MILLS, SUNRIFT ADVENTURES

This is an excerpt from the Fall/Winter 2022-2023 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Upstate Forever's twice-yearly publication. To read a digital copy of the complete publication, please click here.

Dear Ask An Advocate,

I was talking with my neighbor last week, and she said she’d just read an alarming article about toxic chemicals called “PFAS.” She said they cause all kinds of health problems and are found widely in our water supply. Is this true? And if so, can you tell me what Upstate Forever is doing about it? Clean water is very important to me, and I’d like to help.

Sincerely,
Worried in Walhalla

-----

Dear Unsure,

I’d like to tell you that PFAS — Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances — aren’t a danger, but the truth is that they are very toxic and are found widely throughout SC’s water supply. These chemicals have captured headlines for years due to the growing body of evidence of their toxicity to humans, and in particular to vulnerable populations such as developing children and pregnant women.

Why are PFAS so harmful?

The durability of these “forever chemicals" centers around the carbon-fluorine bond, one of the strongest in chemistry, and a structure that makes them both water and oil repellent. This makes them extremely useful in manufacturing, but it also means they won’t break down in the environment.

PFAS have been found to cause cancer, developmental issues in infants, liver and thyroid disease, hormone dysregulation, high cholesterol, and a decreased response to vaccines. Two of the most studied types of PFAS — PFOA and PFOS — are in the blood serum of 99% of Americans. This summer, the EPA released an updated health advisory for PFOA and PFOS, sparking frustration over the shockingly low levels deemed safe for children: less than one part per trillion, or the equivalent to one drop of water in 20 Olympic-size swimming pools.

While the EPA works to set drinking water standards for these chemicals, our water remains at risk from certain textile and plastics manufacturers, landfills, airports and military bases. These chemicals can even escape typical wastewater treatment plants and become concentrated in sludge that then gets applied to farmland as a budget fertilizer.

Whether you get your water from a private well or from a public drinking water provider, if your water source is located near one of these facilities, it is at risk. Don’t know where your water comes from or if it’s located near these types of facilities? Visit SCDES's online SC Watershed Atlas or simply ask your water utility.

What’s being done about PFAS in SC

Testing in August 2020 by SC DHEC (now SCDES) revealed widespread PFAS contamination in almost every public drinking water system sourced from lakes and rivers. More testing is needed to confirm risk to the public, but state funding is limited and is now being used to identify hot spots near suspected polluters.

In 2022, SC legislators responded to calls from concerned residents by creating a $10 million fund for water utilities and private well owners to assess and treat contamination from emerging contaminants like PFAS in their drinking water.

We have also seen leadership within the Upstate business community. Spartanburg’s Milliken & Company announced that it would phase out all PFAS-containing compounds from its textiles portfolio by December 31, 2022.

We applaud this action and hope it compels others in the business community to assess similar paths to prevent PFAS exposure to South Carolina communities.

You can help combat PFAS contamination

• Tell your legislator you want to prioritize the safety of our drinking water and are concerned about PFAS. Just by reaching out, you’re signaling that these issues matter to their constituents.
   
• Ask your water utility about the actions they have taken to assess the risks of PFAS in your drinking water. Few utilities have conducted testing for PFAS, and because these chemicals are unregulated, utilities don’t have to report what they find to SCDES or to the public. Encourage them to use new state and federal resources to complete their assessments and install treatment methods when needed.
   
• Sign up for Legislative Updates to be informed about opportunities to advocate for legislative action or other ways to make your voice heard.

Megan Chase-Muller is the Energy & State Policy Director for Upstate Forever. You can email her at mchase@upstateforever.org.

Got a question for one of UF's experienced advocates? Send us an email at info@upstateforever.org.

As the United States and other countries mobilize to reduce carbon emissions and SC embraces market-driven efforts to electrify the transportation sector, there is often discussion about how the clean energy sector will create good paying jobs while also making our communities more resilient.

Historic federal and state investments in clean energy are fueling the demand for workers to build solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, and other infrastructure to support the growth of renewable energy.

While investments are important, policies that support the transition to clean energy also keep SC competitive in attracting industries. Rep. Jason Elliott and other sponsors passed legislation (House Bill 4831) to help establish a strong supply chain for the wind industry in SC, which would attract more jobs.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, total solar power accounted for 2.8% of South Carolina’s total net generation in 2021. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) highlighted in their “Solar in the Southeast Report” that SC is a solar leader on a watts per customer basis. The report also touts Duke Energy as a leader in installed solar capacity in the Southeast. South Carolina has tripled solar electricity generation since 2018 and currently has a total investment of $2.6 billion.

Building the Clean Energy economy will require more than just wind turbines and solar panels. Other areas that will see workforce expansion in clean energy:

Advancing the electric grid to include more automation, increase resilience, and implement demand-side management technologies to reduce peak grid demand will bring jobs to SC. Computer Analysts will manage modernized grid systems that rely on computer control. A legion of technicians will deploy the smart technologies that help utilities better manage the power grid. Production workers will play a major role in assembling equipment for substations, including smart meters.

Meeting the demand for electric vehicles will undoubtedly require a vast workforce to assemble vehicles, but manufacturers can also capitalize on building components like batteries, electric motors, and other related technologies. The National Electric Vehicle Charging Network, funded by the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will employ construction workers across the country to facilitate the buildout of charging infrastructure. In a boost to SC's clean energy economy, ABB E-mobility, a global EV charging manufacturer, recently announced they will be opening a facility in Columbia that will produce up to 10,000 EV chargers per year.

Energy storage systems save generated energy for use when customers need it most. Past generation models could deliver power generated from coal, natural gas, hydropower, and nuclear energy to meet customer demand. Solar and wind energy generation operates under different patterns, which has made energy storage the linchpin of the clean energy economy.

This subsection of the clean energy sector requires skilled workers for roles in manufacturing hardware and developing software, as well as managing information technology. In SC, embracing the development of facilities that incorporate storage technology can introduce more flexibility into the grid, improve grid efficiency, support renewables, and even protect against volatile fuel costs.

The transition to clean energy is not limited to these areas, and will include jobs in innovative technologies, energy efficiency, and bioenergy.

The energy sector has experienced vast growth with the total number of energy jobs in the US increasing from 7.5 million in 2020 to more than 7.8 million in 2021.

With recent federal investments from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, there are no signs of slowing down as the US races to dominate the clean energy market, but we must continue to make investments and develop public policies that support the transition to clean energy while protecting ratepayers and maintaining affordability.

Michael Coleman is the Energy Advocate for Upstate Forever. You can email him at mcoleman@upstateforever.org. 

We spoke with four businesses who hold easements with Upstate Forever, and they told us how their protected property’s natural assets are bolstering their thriving businesses. From green burials, grass-fed beef farms, event venues and vineyards, local easement holders are proving how conservation and economic success work together in the Upstate.

Calico Vineyard
GREENVILLE COUNTY | 115 ACRES

Steve and Lantie Sandlin have been working with seeds and plants for most of their lives. For many years they ran a farm supply business until they were ready to begin their own farm. “Running a farm is just what I wanted to do,” Steve says. “It’s a natural move from selling fertilizers, seeds, and plants all your life to putting your own plants in.”

The Sandlins own and operate Calico Vineyard, a 115- acre farm in Travelers Rest, SC, named after their beloved cat, Calico. On roughly 15-20 acres, they grow grapes, blackberries, blueberries, muscadines, beans, strawberries, and more. This produce is available around the Upstate at local farmer’s markets, and they sell grapes to individual wine makers. Eventually, they plan to open the farm to the public to can come tour and pick fresh produce. Visitors to the property can also rent their farmhouse through Airbnb.

Steve was motivated to put his family property under easement when he saw how much of the Upstate was being developed. He’s been in the development business and thought he would take the initiative to put the land into easement.

“I want to preserve it like it is. It’s where my great grandfather lived, and my grandfather lived, and now where I live,” he says.

He knows the easement will protect his property and preserve the area’s natural resources forever. In the meantime, he enjoys working the land, viewing the area’s wildlife and spending time with his current cat, Julio.

Funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank, Greenville Women Giving, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control helped protect Calico Vineyard.

To learn more, visit calicovineyard.com

Greenbrier Farms
PICKENS COUNTY | 330 ACRES

"We have an understanding and ultimately an appreciation for what sustainable farmers and regenerative farming systems can do for an individual, group, and community at large,” says Roddy Pick of Greenbrier Farms. He co-owns Greenbrier Farms, a second-generation family-owned-and-operated farm spanning 330 acres, with his business partner Chad Bishop.

As advocates for regenerative agriculture, they are committed to sustainability and to humanely raising their cows and pigs. “People gravitate to that because they appreciate the health benefits of grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pastured pork,” says Roddy. "Most importantly, our customers help us advocate for regenerative farming practices all over our state and region because they believe we must respect and take care of our most precious asset — our land.”

When Roddy and Chad purchased the land, the property was already under easement, which allowed them to immediately start conversations with like-minded individuals and groups who were interested in what the farm could provide.

Not only does the farm offer grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised pork, but they also provide privately grown, select produce for their restaurant Fork & Plough. There is also an event venue on the property for wedding and corporate event packages. And Upstate residents can visit the Farm on Thursday nights for Pizza Night, or they can join the annual Butcher Class and Spring Plant Sale, offering grown-from-seed produce starters, trees, and woody florals.

At Greenbrier Farms, the Pick and Bishop families have struck the right balance between business, sustainability, and conservation. "We have documented data from Furman showing that we are as bird diverse as places like Paris Mountain State Park and Conestee Nature Preserve,” notes Roddy. Their upland hardwood forest, grassland prairies, and wetlands provide much needed animal and insect habitat. “There is nothing like mornings on the farm when you witness the world around you awaken,” says Roddy.

Funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank helped protect Greenbrier Farms.

To learn more, visit greenbrierfarms.com

Kings Mountain Preserve
CHEROKEE COUNTY | 36 ACRES

After almost 30 years in the funeral industry, Terry Robertson knows firsthand the importance of keeping the burial process as natural as possible. “I was embalming 200-300 people a year, and it nearly killed me,” he says. In 2000, he was diagnosed with cancer likely caused by his exposure to formaldehyde in the traditional embalming process.

Terry beat the odds, but it changed him. “After that, I stayed out of prep rooms and started focusing more on serving the families,” he says. “I found I spent a lot more time outside gaining an appreciation of nature.”

Terry and his wife Amanda own Kings Mountain Preserve, a green burial facility. Compared to a traditional burial — which may include disruptive and polluting elements like embalming fluid, vaults, concrete, steel, exotic hardwoods, and backhoes — a green burial has minimal impact on the environment. "It’s like your final footnote for mother nature, and a way to do it right for her,” says Terry.

Instead of being chemically embalmed, the body is refrigerated prior to burial. The family may bury their loved one in a wicker basket, a poplar casket, or pine casket, all of which are totally biodegradable.

Graves are hand dug — which ensures that the dirt is put back in the ground in the same order it was removed. The site is then marked with a native stone that the family can engrave if they wish. All in all, the green burial is less than half the price of a traditional burial in the counties Kings Mountain Preserve serves.

Loved ones return to visit King’s Mountain Preserve often, in part because of the serene, parklike setting. The property contains three miles of hiking trails where visitors can walk and see wildlife and lush greenery. Terry's favorite spot is a little waterfall off King’s Creek. “It makes you feel like you’re surrounded by life, not by death,” he says.

To learn more, visit kingsmountainpreserve.com

Ramsey Creek Preserve: Memorial Ecosystems
OCONEE COUNTY | 75 ACRES

Billy and Kimberley Campbell opened their natural burial business — Memorial Ecosystems, Inc.— at Ramsey Creek Preserve in 1998, and they’ve been serving the Upstate region ever since. Their business model thrives off the notion that they are literally and figuratively connecting people to the landscape.

Whether it’s a land trust or a family trying to save their farm, natural burials — the Campbells prefer that term over "green" burials — are an economically and environmentally viable way for land to produce income without selling it to developers. As Kimberley explains, “we need as many tools in the conservation toolbox as we can get, and this gives the land a purpose.”

Billy and Kimberley have used their property to develop many of the standards and techniques for natural burial, ranging from how to preserve the body without embalming to which native plants to incorporate into the landscape.

The Campbells have perfected methods for restoring previously zoned agricultural land to its natural state by bringing conservation science into the design process. Their online photo gallery showcases some of the 300+ species of native plants found at Ramsey Creek Preserve, one of which is a federally endangered wild cone flower.

Against the backdrop of this idyllic landscape, Billy and Kimberley are driven by their philosophy of community: “For us it’s always been extremely important to have this connection with the community, where this becomes a place where people can hike, picnic, have small weddings or baby blessings, or just a place to walk.”

Kimberley especially noticed an uptick in visitors during the pandemic when the parks closed. They remained open so the families could still visit their relatives. “Sometimes we all just need a quiet walk in nature,” she says.

To learn more, visit memorialecosystems.com

More about conservation burial sites

There are very few conservation burial sites in the Southeast; the Upstate is fortunate to have two such properties: Kings Mountain Preserve and Ramsey Creek Preserve. Both properties are protected by conservation easements held by Upstate Forever; in fact, in 2006, UF became the first organization in the world to hold a conservation burial easement when the Campbells chose to work with us to protect Ramsey Creek Preserve.

“Oh, I thought Upstate Forever was a land protection organization.”

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve introduced myself and received this reply or overheard this sentiment at an event — well, I’d have quite a few nickels.

Of course, this idea isn’t wrong. Protecting land is a key aspect of Upstate Forever’s mission. Since 1998, our stellar Land Conservation team has worked with landowners across the Upstate to permanently protect tens of thousands of acres of forests, farmland, and green space.

So, where does my work as Land Policy Director come in? Upstate Forever is somewhat unique as a land conservation organization that also works in advocacy, including land use planning & policy advocacy.

We believe that vibrant communities exist at the intersection of land and water conservation and smart growth. To envision a future for the Upstate that is greener, brighter, more prosperous and equitable, is to embrace the symbiotic relationship between "traditional" conservation and land use planning and policy.

Conservation and smart growth go hand-in-hand

It’s no secret that the Upstate is growing rapidly. By 2035, our region’s population is projected to reach over 1,750,000 – an increase of 66% since 1990. Growth itself is not inherently bad — in fact, it can be a great thing — but where and how we accommodate new residents is critical to the health and future of our communities.

Most of us want mobility options, housing choices, and access to clean water and safe green spaces. We want local farms to thrive and to preserve important natural resources. We also want economic development, but not at the expense of all other community priorities. Unfortunately, many of our existing land development policies fail to strike a balance among all of these important goals.

If we want to protect the Upstate’s natural resources while minimizing sprawl and growing equitably and responsibly, then we have to say goodbye to business-as-usual when it comes to the development of new subdivisions. Our communities and local leaders must embrace smarter ways to welcome the thousands of new residents relocating to the Upstate each year.

Smart growth is better for individuals

Communities that embrace forward-thinking development and responsible growth benefit residents at an individual level. One’s physical, mental, and in some cases, economic health can all be improved by living in a neighborhood that empowers a more active lifestyle, offers a closer proximity to jobs and services, and allows equitable access to green spaces.

I have personally experienced the life-changing difference between living in a car-dependent neighborhood and in a community that is navigable by bicycle and foot. In December of 2019 (which we later came to know as very fortunate timing!), my family relocated from the suburban Greenville County area we had lived in for nearly two decades to a new home at the western edge of downtown. For the first time in my adult life, whether I wanted to pick up coffee or dinner, grab a few household essentials or a gift for a friend, I could walk out my front door and arrive at my destination without starting the car.

The onset of the pandemic, of course, elevated my gratitude for the people-friendly (i.e. walkable, bikeable, and otherwise navigable without a car) community I call home. When gyms shut down and state parks were often at maximum capacity, my husband, dog, and I could enjoy a neighborhood stroll or ride on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. We cherished the interactions made and relationships built within our neighborhood on these outings.

Living in this vibrant community, where a mixture of goods, services, and natural areas are available to me through alternative transportation choices, has truly changed my life. It’s an opportunity that I will never take for granted and will continue to work each day to expand access for more Upstate residents.

What do we mean by "smart growth?" Click here to learn more about the 10 principles of smart growth

Smart growth builds stronger, more financially stable communities

Ultimately, sprawl cannot pay for itself. While a development boom may bring new residents, businesses, tax income, and discretionary spending to a local economy, those benefits are often short-lived. What’s worse, that temporary surge in dollars is often later eclipsed by the high cost of maintaining strained suburban infrastructure.

The good news? Studies show a clear connection between people-friendly development and the economic viability of a community. Building with a smaller, denser footprint in appropriate areas leads to lower infrastructure costs for cities and towns, and a more robust tax base for continued improvements.

In 2017, the Shaping Our Future initiative — a partnership between Upstate Forever, Ten at the Top, Furman University’s Riley Institute, and a steering committee representing diverse communities and interests from across the Upstate — completed a 10-month study and comprehensive report exploring alternative patterns for growth in the Upstate.

One particularly illuminating component of the study was the Return-on-Investment Analysis executed by Urban3, a community planning consultant with an economic focus. This analysis calculated anticipated future tax revenues in the 10-county region based on different development patterns and intensities.

Urban3's analysis revealed that if regional land use trends don't change, revenues produced by new development will likely not cover even half of the costs to serve it. The more compact development patterns they analyzed were much more fiscally viable.

Additionally, real estate sale analysis shows that neighborhoods with a high walkability score are overall more desirable and highly valued than those with a lower score. And, of course, parks, open spaces, and working farms and forests strengthen local economies.

Smart growth contributes to a healthier environment and more plentiful greenspace

More dense development in appropriate urban zones is critical to the protection of our region's remaining rural areas and natural resources.

Building with a smaller footprint — growing up rather than out — preserves more greenspace. Directing growth toward existing urban cores helps reduce development pressure on agricultural and rural landowners. Together with conservation initiatives, this method of growth also contributes to the preservation of wildlife habitats, as well as the protection of endangered species (like the Upstate’s bunched arrowhead or Oconee bells) and biodiversity.

Responsible growth is critical to the health of our region’s water, too. Intact riparian buffers (undeveloped swaths of land adjacent to waterways) safeguard water quality by helping to filter out pollutants like litter and pet waste before they enter a river or stream. Buffers also reduce the risk of flooding by slowing down stormwater.

We must embrace smarter growth practices ASAP

For individuals and families, for communities and natural resources, smart growth is a win-win-win.

Envisioning a new model for Upstate communities may seem daunting and certainly has its trade-offs, but championing responsible development over the next years or even decades will pay dividends for generations to come.

Sherry Barrett is the Land Policy Director for Upstate Forever. You can email her at sbarrett@upstateforever.org.

Would you like to stay informed about smart growth and land use planning issues in the Upstate? Visit upstateforever.org/email to join our email lists dedicated to land planning and policy in Greenville and Spartanburg.

You've probably heard this so often it goes in one ear and out the other, but I'll say it again: the Upstate is growing.

There are certainly upsides to the region’s popularity: jobs, opportunities, economic development. However, the negative impacts from rapid growth — overcrowded parks and trails, impacts to waterways, and vanishing farmland as a result of sprawl, to name a few — are already here.

Upstate Forever and our many conservation partners are already hard at work to protect special places that are best left undeveloped. However, the need is urgent, and time is not on our side. We must be proactive about land conservation right now. The key to accelerating land protection in our rapidly growing region is robust local funding opportunities.

What is “local funding?”

Local funding is just what it sounds like: local governments and groups designating dollars for local land conservation projects. Successfully applied local funds go directly to supporting land conservation projects and are typically separate from organizational operating budgets that include staff time and overhead. The major difference with local funding is the ability to attract greater attention from federal, state, and other large funders to support the protection of our special places. In a word: leverage.

Local funds are very versatile. Each fund is different because they may focus on different priorities or geography, but throughout the Upstate, these existing competitive funds can be used to provide matching funds to attract national and statewide grants, purchase or offset the costs of conservation easements, and/or buy fee-simple land outright.

Examples of local conservation funding sources in the Upstate include the Greenville County Historic & Natural Resources Trust, the Spartanburg County Public Access Land Bank, and the Upstate Land Conservation Fund.  Upstate Forever applauds these entities for their commitment to preserving special places and quality of life for their residents while there’s still time.

Creating dedicated funds for local conservation increases the likelihood that land protection can happen more quickly, closer to home, and on a larger scale.

Examples of funded projects

Grant Meadow, Pickens County: A grant from the South Carolina Conservation Bank (SCCB) enabled the protection of this iconic view of Table Rock.

Upper Shoals at Glendale, Spartanburg County: Funding from the Upstate Land Conservation Fund (ULCF) contributed to the protection of 88 acres owned by the Tyger River Foundation. The property is adjacent to Wofford College’s Goodall Environmental Center and the Spartanburg Area Conservancy’s Glendale Shoals Preserve.

Chauga Heights, Oconee County: An SCCB grant to Naturaland Trust and an investment from Oconee County provided for the purchase of more than 200 acres adjacent to Chau Ram County Park. Photo by Mac Stone

Granting organizations increasingly require local funding matches.

Most importantly, local funds can be used as matching funds to help leverage conservation grants from federal, state, and private sources. Many of these conservation grantors increasingly prioritize applicants that can bring money to the table in the form of matching funds.

As an example, the South Carolina Conservation Bank (SCCB), an important and effective partner in preserving the natural resources in the Upstate and across the state, often requires a local match to leverage state dollars.

"As a statewide conservation funder, partnering with counties and other local funding sources validates conservation projects and allows state dollars to go further," said Raleigh West, Executive Director of the SCCB. "When counties participate financially in land protection projects, they are showing the Bank that it’s a priority. Local skin in the game accelerates the Bank’s financial leverage, giving those projects an automatic leg up".

The availability of local funding for these matches makes Upstate conservation partners and their projects more competitive and more likely to attract additional grants from federal, state, and private sources.

Collaborative funding partnerships among multiple sources and conservation partners are also increasingly common.

Local funds can be used as matching funds to help leverage conservation grants from federal, state, and private sources — making applications from Upstate organizations more competitive in the grant-seeking process. Here's a fictional example: 

Local funds can pay for conservation easement value or offset closing costs.

A conservation easement is a voluntary, permanent legal agreement that retains the original property owner’s ownership but with restrictions — typically restrictions on development — that protect the property’s conservation values. A conservation easement is transferred much like a real estate closing. After a conservation easement is in place, the property is monitored annually to ensure the conservation values are maintained according to the owner’s easement terms.

In these cases, funding can be used to meet the need for landowners who may be interested in protecting their property but need incentives greater than potential tax benefits.

Local funds can help compensate the landowner for the diminished value that the conservation easement’s restrictions place on the property. Some monies may also be used to offset associated closing costs, such as appraisals, surveys, and legal fees.

Funds can be used to buy fee simple land outright.

A “fee simple” transaction is how property is sold to the next landowner, much like when you sell your home.

Conservation organizations are limited to paying up to the appraised value of a property. The value is determined by a certified appraiser. In these cases, successful applications to funding sources may help pay for the land and the associated closing costs.

Upstate Forever typically does not purchase land fee simple, but many of our partners like Naturaland Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Conserving Carolina, and the Spartanburg Area Conservancy do. It’s a straightforward and effective way to acquire special properties that include high-priority natural resources.

The growing local funding landscape is a great conservation model in a region well known for innovative public-private partnerships and other trailblazing capacity building.

Scott Park is the Glenn Hilliard Director of Land Conservation for Upstate Forever. If you, or an organization you represent, is interested in learning more about direct conservation funding, please contact Scott at spark@upstateforever.org.

Nalley Brown Nature Park 

380 Adger Road, Easley, 29642 

This 38-acre park is just a few minutes from downtown Easley and has 2.5 miles of trails, including a 1-mile ADA accessible trail, and a natural playground constructed of repurposed materials, shelters, sitting areas, and more — perfect for spending a few hours in nature without having to travel to places remote and wild. 

This property was part of Catherine Ladnier's family farm for over 100 years. Ladnier was determined to preserve her family's land to provide more opportunities for Easley residents to experience the property’s natural resources. She worked with Upstate Forever to permanently protect the land through a conservation easement. 

For more info, visit cityofeasley.com 

Sassafras Trail at Paris Mountain State Park 

2401 State Park Road, Greenville, 29609 

Unveiled in 2021, Sassafras Trail is a new, 2.3-mile multi-use loop at Paris Mountain State Park. It is rated moderate, with a steeper climb in the beginning and a gentler path throughout most of the trail. It crosses multiple creeks, and the sound of babbling brooks can be heard on your trek. Your experience on this unique trail varies from towering mature forests to younger stands of pine and oak, and even lush rhododendron thickets. 

Sassafras Trail travels across a 160-acre addition to the park that was purchased by Friends of Paris Mountain State Park in 2015 and protected through a conservation easement by Upstate Forever in 2018. Funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank and generous contributions from the community helped make this project possible. 

For more info, visit southcarolinaparks.com 

Glassy Mountain Trail  

662 S Glassy Mountain Church Road, Pickens, 29671 

From its peak, the view atop Glassy Mountain in Pickens County offers a breathtaking, panoramic vista of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The rugged, moderately difficult, mile-long trail to the top is steep but not too challenging for most. Dogs are welcome on the trail but must stay on leash. 

SCDNR acquired the mountain in 1990 and created the 65-acre Glassy Mountain Heritage Preserve to protect one of the few monadnocks in SC. In 2017, a tract of land at the base of the mountain was slated for a controversial real estate development that would have permanently altered the view from atop Glassy Mountain and the natural heritage of the area. Upstate Forever was instrumental in working with the community and the owners of the proposed development site to instead protect the land through a conservation easement. 

Please note that this trail is rugged and unmarked. While it is part of an SCDNR Heritage Preserve, it is not located within an established park — please take appropriate caution if you visit.

For more info, visit sctrails.net

What do you enjoy most about working for Upstate Forever?
What I enjoy most about Upstate Forever is the work culture this organization has. As a newer staff member, I was welcomed with open arms. People were genuinely interested in my background and what my past experiences were going to be able to ring to this new position I am in. In addition, everyone is very passionate in what they do and how we play such a major role in the future of the Upstate. 

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you?
Being from Greenville, in just the few years I was away at college, I have seen major changes in the infrastructure and development of the city and county. Growth is great to see but in a responsible and manageable way. Upstate Forever’s work is so important to me in the fact that with our team we can protect the natural beauty of Greenville and the surrounding counties for future generations.

How long have you called the Upstate home?
I have called the Upstate home for my entire life. Minus the time I spent at Clemson for undergrad and a few years in Washington, DC following college, the Upstate has always been home for me.

What hobbies do you enjoy? 
I enjoy walking my Corgi, Pawley on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. I enjoy trying out new restaurants in town. In addition, I love coaching girls’ lacrosse. Just this past year I was able to get back involved in a sport that shaped my life by helping coach the JV Girls Lacrosse team at Christ Church Episcopal School. 

Where’s your ‘happy place?’
My happy place is on the beaches of South Carolina. Give me a book and a sunny day and I will always be content. 

More about Grace

Grace Flaspoehler is a native of the Upstate, growing up in Greenville. She graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication. Following graduation she moved to Washington, D.C., where she gained experience in political fundraising and non-profit development. While in D.C., Grace earned her master’s in public administration with a concentration in non-profit management from George Mason University.

Grace is thrilled to be back in her hometown with her family and friends. In her spare time, you can find Grace on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail walking her corgi, Pawley, spending time with her family and friends, and traveling to cities she has never visited.

A coalition of three local nonprofit organizations — Upstate Forever, PAL, and Conserving Carolina — are working together to transform this unused line into a vibrant, new approximately 31-mile rail trail. Together, we have made an offer to Norfolk Southern, which owns the rail corridor. Negotiations are ongoing.

The potential Saluda Grade rail trail would run from Inman, SC to Zirconia, NC. Approximately 16 miles of the line are in South Carolina while about 15 miles are in North Carolina. The route includes dramatic scenery along the Blue Ridge Escarpment and passes through historic downtowns in Saluda, Tryon, Landrum, and Inman. When active from 1878 to 2001, the line was renowned as the steepest standard gauge mainline railroad ever built in the United States.

Similar to the popular Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail or Virginia Creeper Trail, this rail trail would spur economic growth while providing new opportunities for outdoor recreation.

“As we've seen with the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville County, trails like this are transformational economic engines,” said Andrea Cooper, executive director of Upstate Forever. “They bring money and jobs to the local economy, boost quality of life for residents, and offer a safe and accessible way to spend time outdoors. The Saluda Grade Rail Trail will yield a return far beyond any initial investment.”

“Saluda Grade Trail will be an extraordinary recreational amenity for the residents of our region and could become a hub for a burgeoning network of connecting parks, trails and greenways across several counties,” said Kieran Roe, executive director of Conserving Carolina.  “The trail will also help preserve and promote awareness of the remarkable history of the Saluda Grade railroad, a 19^th-century engineering marvel that was key to the growth and development of this part of the Carolinas.” 

“Trails provide significant health benefits, and the Saluda Grade will do just that,” said Laura Ringo, executive director of PAL. “Physical inactivity is a major cause of most chronic diseases and access to recreation areas and trails increases physical activity for people of all ages, abilities and income levels. The creation of trails is an investment in preventative health and studies show that every $1 investment leads to almost $3 in direct medical benefit.”

To receive updates about the Saluda Grade Rail Trail, please click here. To learn more about this project and view responses to frequently asked questions, please click here.

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you?
Upstate Forever's work is critical in a time of fast-paced development and general change in the Upstate. Although I’m not originally from this area, I have family here and have been visiting since I was a child. I’ve witnessed all of the ways that this area has changed over the years — especially since I started college at Furman University in 2015. UF has the critical role of balancing demands of growth and the need of green infrastructure while maintaining the rural and unique character of this area. 

What has been the most unexpected part of your role?
The most unexpected part of my role has been how many different and diverse projects I get to work on. I was brought on board to assist with watershed-based planning and implementation, which I was very interested in. However, even in these short six months I have had opportunities to work with groups spanning the Upstate on topics I thought I would only get to learn about in college classes. I am looking forward to all the ways my role will grow in the months and years to come with Upstate Forever. 

How long have you called the Upstate home? What brought you here? 
I have called the Upstate my home since the fall of 2015 when I started college at Furman University. I have a lot of family in the area, so attending Furman was a natural choice. However, I ended up staying in this area mostly because of my husband, a Greenville native, whom I met in college. He successfully convinced me there were few other places I would have family, friends, a greenway, hiking, biking, climbing, the beach, and several breweries all within several miles of our house. 

What do you love most about the Upstate?
There are so many things to love about the Upstate, but what I love the most is being close to my family, friends, and the mountains. Growing up in the Midwest, we seldom had hills or family within a five-hour drive. Being in the Upstate is being at home.

Where’s your ‘happy place?’
My happy place is any time I am on the trail with my two pups, Gladdy and Jolene. We get into many adventures together, but the best ones always include some dirt, trees, and time to ourselves to explore. 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be many things ranging from a rainbow to a rock star. Luckily, I settled on being a veterinarian and even started college as a pre-vet major. While I still love all animals and tend to have extras at my house often, I found my interest more solidly in conservation biology. 

More About Rebecca

With experience ranging from wildlife research to environmental education, Rebecca is looking forward to utilizing her knowledge to expand Upstate Forever’s Clean Water initiatives. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Furman University, and is in pursuit of her Masters of Natural Science and Environmental Education from Hamline University. While Rebecca has enjoyed learning and teaching about the natural world across the country, she is deeply connected to conservation in the Upstate.

In her free time, Rebecca enjoys many forms of outdoor recreation including, but not limited to running, biking, hiking, and backpacking. Additionally, she loves spending time with her husband and dogs at Greenville’s many breweries and restaurants alike.

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you?
My husband Jeff and I moved to the Upstate about 15 years ago. Back then it was just the two of us, plus our 90-lb yellow lab, Marley. A lot has changed since that time. We now have three wonderful kids — Cooper, Ashlyn, and Bridger — and a brown lab mix named Cadi (short for Acadia).

I distinctly remember my first visit to the Upstate. I was immediately struck by the area's natural beauty — the mountains, lakes, rivers, farms, and forests. Upstate Forever fights every day to ensure that my kids, their families, and all future residents can enjoy the same beauty I did on that first visit. I feel truly honored to work in a job where I am paid to protect the natural wonders that make this area so special.  

What does a typical work day for the Deputy Director look like?
Ha! There is truly no typical day. In part, that's why I love my job!

How long have you called the Upstate home? What brought you here?
My husband Jeff and I moved to the Upstate in August 2007 when he took a job at Clemson University. I was thrilled when I was able to land a job at Upstate Forever just a few months later. We now live in Pickens County near Clemson. 

Where’s your favorite spot in the Upstate?
There are so many places I love — Lake Jocassee, Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve, Table Rock, and the list goes on and on. But my daily go-to is the Clemson Forest. 

Who do you look up to?
While I have been with Upstate Forever, we have had two Executive Directors — Brad Wyche (Founder) and Andrea Cooper (current ED). I look up to them both. They are different in so many ways, but similar in that I believe they were the exact right leader at the right time for this organization. 

Is there a motto, mantra or slogan that drives you?
Don't sweat the small stuff. Keep your eyes on the prize. 

More about Lisa

Lisa Hallo joined Upstate Forever in 2007 as a Project Associate for the Clean Water Program. After several years in that position, Lisa became Land Policy Director, before finally assuming her current role as Deputy Director.

Before coming to South Carolina, Lisa worked for several years as a Program Director at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps in northern Vermont, and another few years prior to that at various environmental jobs across the country. Her educational background includes a BS in Magazine Journalism and an MS in Environmental Studies.

In her free time, Lisa loves to travel, jog, hike, garden, spend time with her family, and explore new places in the Upstate.

The ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon celebrates individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions in fields related to conservation and sustainable growth in the Upstate. In addition to the 2022 awards program, this year’s ForeverGreen Luncheon included several special guests: the 2021 award recipients, who we were unable to honor with an in-person celebration last year, and animal ambassadors from PAWS Animal Wildlife Sanctuary.

view ForeverGreen 2022 photo album

Watch ForeverGreen 2022 event recording

2022 Award Recipients

The Tommy Wyche Land Conservation Champion
Hoyt Grant, for his dedication to conservation and the protection of the iconic Grant Meadow and Table Rock viewshed

Clean Water Champion
Tyger River Foundation, for their ongoing work to protect and provide access to water in Spartanburg County

Public Servant of the Year 
Interpretive Ranger Tim Lee, for his decades of service and wildlife education at the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area

The Marjorie E. Schmidt Stewardship Award 
Mable Owens Clarke, for her tireless and quiet dedication to secure the preservation of the historic Soapstone Church in Pickens County

watch the 2022 award recipient videos 

2021 Award Recipients

Marjorie E. Schmidt Stewardship Award
Ms. Judy I. Cromwell, for her quiet, lifelong dedication to the protection of the Upstate’s greenspaces

Tommy Wyche Land Conservation Champion Award
Dr. Drew Lanham, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Clemson University, for his decades of teaching, research, and writing that have made the field of conservation more accessible and inclusive

Clean Water Champion Award
The Southern Environmental Law Center, for their work to defend the Clean Water Act, mitigate the effects of toxic coal ash pollution, and hold Kinder Morgan accountable for a massive gasoline spill in Anderson County

Land Planning and Policy Champion Award
Ms. Ginny Stroud, former Community Development Administrator with the City of Greenville, for her tireless dedication to neighborhood revitalization, improvement, and affordable housing development in Greenville

Environmental Equity and Justice Award
Sustaining Way, for their work to cultivate a thriving, sustainable, and equitable environment in Greenville’s Nicholtown and surrounding communities

Brad Wyche Extraordinary Achievement Award
Dr. David L. Hargett, for his visionary 10-year tenure as Executive Director of Conestee Nature Preserve

read more about the 2021 award recipients

Many thanks to the sponsors who generously supported this celebration (scroll down to view), and the partners that helped ForeverGreen 2022 come to life including Jane Robelot, Smoak PR, Electric Soul Creative, PAWS Animal Wildlife Sanctuary, and Upstate Forever staff and board members!

Sponsors

After forgoing our in-person celebration in 2021, it was a joy to gather again to celebrate the Upstate's leaders in conservation and sustainable growth. We couldn't have hosted this successful celebration the generous support of the following sponsors of the 2022 ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon.

Emerald Sponsors:

Spruce Sponsors:

Cedar Sponsors:

How do you prepare for inclement weather? 

This is probably my most frequently asked question! The first thing I want to say is get a good weather app. My favorite is "Dark Sky" and it is hugely helpful for being prepared.

And then no matter what the weather report says, you want to be prepared for instances of bad weather because there's not really bad weather, there's just bad gear. I keep my extra stuff in my bike commuting bag, which has rain gear itself. 

When it's not summertime, I'll keep things like gloves or an extra layer in my bag. Now that it's summer, I want to make sure I have a poncho in my bag.

What’s one thing you wish you knew before you started bike commuting?

I wish I had known how to use public transit!

I sold my car before I finished grad school and got a real "grown up" job. That job was in Mauldin so I had to out of necessity use the GreenLink bus to get myself part of the way there and bike the rest of the way. That experience was actually very empowering and made me feel even more confident in my decision. I wish I had done it sooner!

What advice do you have for parents who are interested in riding to daycare, school, and/or work?

First, I will defer to Maddy (@cargobikemomma on Instagram) and Melissa (@deliberate.less on Instagram) because they are living this life and they definitely know best!

If I was trying this myself, I would be looking at cargo e-bikes (electric bicycles). I would say to start small with trips to the park or the library. And I would also experiment with my route and probably do that alone first.

How can Upstate residents advocate for alternative transportation options in their communities?

Follow these organizations:

• Upstate Forever, because we need density in code and greenspaces,
• Bike Walk Greenville, because we need active transportation infrastructure,
• and Greenville Connects, because we need transit.

What’s one unexpected piece of cycling gear you couldn’t live without?

I'm going to go ahead and admit that it's not really cycling gear, but it's my battery pack for charging on the go. My e-bike is awesome but it does not charge my phone!

Mary moved to Greenville, SC in 2014 and has been a full time bike commuter since 2015. She works as a speech-language pathologist for Greenville County Schools and volunteers as board chair of Bike Walk Greenville and a board member of Palmetto Cycling Coalition. During her summers off, she enjoys bikepacking to new places and sharing about her carfree lifestyle on Instagram and Youtube as '@rebelwithoutacar'. 

What do you enjoy most about working for Upstate Forever?
I love how much I am learning about my community and region. I really enjoy putting together pieces about the people, policies, and organizations who are making a conservation impact in the Upstate. There are so many rich stories this area has to tell, and I love helping unearth those stories and showcasing how they represent the natural assets we’re trying to protect and support.

What has been the most unexpected part of your role?
When I was interviewing for this job, I was told that the Communications team was the jack-of-all-trades in the organization. I’ve always thrived on having many projects to work on at once instead of doing the same thing all the time. I never expected to get to work on so many fascinating projects so quickly, and I love how they all serve the same end but require so many different strategies.

How long have you called the Upstate home?
With the exception of five years spent in North Carolina and some time spent in Georgia, I’ve lived the majority of my life in the Upstate region. I was born and raised in Greenville and attended Wofford College in Spartanburg. I also spent some time in Charleston, but Greenville has always been my true home. 

Where’s your favorite spot in the Upstate?
My favorite spot in the Upstate is Conestee Nature Preserve. It is such an amazing little slice of nature so close to my house. I love going there early on weekday mornings when it is virtually empty and seeing all the wildlife. My family and I spend a lot of time there searching for insects, plants, and animals drawn to the wetlands. 

What hobbies do you enjoy? 
I love gardening and building little urban habitats in my yard. We focus on planting as many native flowers and shrubs as we can, and we make sure our trees are always in good shape. We have lots of old oaks, pines, and cedars on our property that draw in owls and many other birds. There are nooks all around our yard for frogs, snakes, insects, birds, and small mammals. I love to watch them come and go, and I get so excited when I find a little paw print or other sign that someone stopped by our house while they were out foraging.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I don’t think I had a really defined idea of what I wanted to be, but I knew I wanted to help or work with animals somehow. I wasn’t great at science though, so I focused on subjects I excelled in like writing, language, and reading. Those aren’t the areas that usually come to mind when someone says they want to help animals, but it worked out so well for me to find a niche in communications and conservation. I think my kid-self would be happy with where I ended up.

More about Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a 5th generation Greenvillian who grew up hearing stories of the Upstate’s transformation. She graduated from Wofford College with a bachelor’s in English, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a master’s in English, and from the University of Georgia with a PhD in English. For 10+ years, Elizabeth taught English composition and literature courses at all three schools, served as a writing consultant, and worked as a communications specialist. At Upstate Forever, she assists with marketing, communications, and advocacy strategies and initiatives.

When away from the office, Elizabeth can be found going on “bug hunts” in local nature preserves with her husband and young son, cultivating her urban garden with her dog and cat companions, and binging all the good TV shows she can find.

Alix Pedraza

DIVERSITY OUTREACH MANAGER | SC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

As a college student back home in the country of Colombia, I had the chance to visit the Amazons, and I was overwhelmed by the beauty and abundance of species there. After this experience, I made it my goal to work towards a career involved in protecting natural places.

Besides the obvious conservation attitudes and behaviors derived from nature, research also indicates that nature offers incredible health benefits, including mental health, which I personally appreciate the most. Being outdoors makes me happy and grateful about my freedom in this country and working in nature allows me to combine my love for the environment with my desire to protect it.

I graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a BA in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, and then from Clemson University with an MS in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Then I had the opportunity to join SCDNR in 2015.

SCDNR has multiple initiatives across the state; for example, our Aquatic Education Program works with various Upstate schools’ Trout in the Classroom Program. Sometimes we go with school groups for fish releases that take place at Table Rock. Our program has also done nature hikes around Sassafras Mountain.

In my role as Diversity Outreach Manager for SCDNR, I’ve seen the organization be extremely successful at dedicating and maintaining resources for underrepresented audiences.

When you are new to any type of activity, being a beginner or feeling unwelcomed can be intimidating. Similarly, not knowing or not being able to understand the rules for accessing certain places can also be an impediment. That’s why we work diligently to improve the way we engage with audiences who have not always had equitable access to nature.

Our success with Diversity Outreach is measured in several ways. In terms of numbers, we can’t say we’ve seen a large increase in underrepresented audiences coming to our programs. But awareness and participation have definitely increased compared to six years ago.

We know larger percentages of our underserved Hispanic population live in Greenville, Oconee, and Spartanburg, but those populations do have access to and use state parks. However, there are not specific studies yet that indicate where or how we should be working to promote conservation among these groups.

In addition to our outreach efforts, we’ve had great conservation success in the Upstate. Jocassee Gorges is the best conservation example I can think of. There are over 30,000 acres of land protected in and around the Gorges, and multiple species of plants and animals are being protected as well. Two species that come to mind are the Oconee bell and the peregrine falcon, which was successfully reintroduced in the 1980s thanks to the abundance of protected lands in that area.

I enjoy my visits to the Upstate. I like both Sassafras Mountain and Table Rock State Park. My favorite trail in the whole state is actually the Foothills Trail; I've hiked several sections of it, and I love it. I know how hard the volunteers work to keep it always accessible and wellmarked, so everyone can benefit from its beauty and restoration.

Sandy Hanebrink

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TOUCH THE FUTURE

I was always an athlete. I grew up in Mauldin and participated in many sports from the time I was 6 years old. I went on to be a scholarship athlete at Spartanburg Methodist College and then on to the University of Florida. While at the University of Florida, I was in a car accident that set off the crazy events leading to my allergic reaction to an antibiotic that resulted in transverse myelitis and becoming a quadriplegic.

I did extensive rehab for many years. While there, I was introduced to wheelchair sports and later became a Paralympian. During these opportunities, I became engaged with many mobility companies and learned about the evolving technologies available like functional neuro-stimulation walking systems. These did not work for me, but I continued to stay actively looking for the right technology for me so that when it was available, I could use it.

I was keeping my eye on the PhoeniX by SuitX. It was the lightest and least expensive to date and once I saw they had FDA approval, I contacted them. Unfortunately, like a lot of things, Covid-19 put a delay in the plan. It was quite the adventure to become the first person in South Carolina to receive this medical exoskeleton.

Last year, beginning in July, I made the journey across the country to Emeryville, California to SuitX. I couch surfed my way out, staying with friends as much as possible, and made many stops in state and national parks along the way. It was seven weeks total.

On September 21, 2021, it happened. 34 years, one month, and one day since I was paralyzed, Michael McKinley from SuitX came to SC and delivered my PhoeniX. I was walking.

Five days later, with the help of many friends, including 3 physical therapists, I walked the trail at Table Rock State Park to see the first of hopefully many waterfalls, one that I had not been able to access since my early 20s. The PhoeniX allowed me to rise again and gain access to my first of many adventures. It gave me another level of freedom to do the things I love to do. A focused fundraising effort began and continues today to help me and others get these amazing technologies.

This special day also allowed me an opportunity to speak to the park ranger about the lack of access and how easily this particular trail could be accessible to all.

These treasured spaces are important for everyone but unfortunately, despite almost 60 years of laws and requirements, people with disabilities still have little access to outdoor spaces. These requirements are often unenforced or an afterthought unless a formal complaint or lawsuit is filed. So I continue to educate and advocate to ensure these standards, regulations, and civil rights are in place.

We must ensure there is accessible parking with accessible routes to our parks and all the facilities that are in them. Detailed information about accessibility should be available in alternate formats, so those who are blind or have other disabilities can access the information as necessary. There should also be programs that include sign language interpreters — I have only seen this done well once in over 34 years of advocacy. Disability access means access for seniors and families, too.

Now, my roles as Executive Director of Touch the Future, an occupational therapist, Paralympian, advocate, disabled person, and my life before disability are all intertwined. They are part of who I am and have created many amazing opportunities and an expansive network that has helped create better access and independence for myself and thousands of others. I work with local landscape architects, architects, engineers, and officials to design new facilities and make changes to existing ones.

Some of these projects in the Upstate include work with City of Anderson parks and greenways; Anderson County’s work on the Blue Ribbon Trail, including the first accessible kayak facility in SC at Dolly Cooper Park on the Saluda River and additional access at Timmerman Landing in Pelzer, Green Pond Landing and Event Center, and the East West Connector; Falls Park, Cancer Survivors Park, playgrounds and event centers in Mauldin, Anderson, Simpsonville, Greenville, and Spartanburg, as well as input on the Palmetto Trail, attending countless community planning events and speaking at local and county council meetings. I also serve or have served on many state and national committees and currently serve on the United Nations G3ict NeuroAbilities Advisory Committee.

I love the Upstate. I love living in the foothills, having access to so many rivers, lakes and trails — especially now with my exoskeleton — and the weather is great, too. But being a part of making this area more accessible to everyone is the icing on the cake.

Speak up. Advocate. Design accessible. Remove the barriers.

The Upstate is beautiful. Let’s make sure it stays that way and can forever be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Learn more about Touch the Future by visiting touchthefuture.us.

Mercedes "Mac" Curry

FOUNDER, PAWS ANIMAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Growing up, I always found critters who needed help. My parents sent them off to others for care, but in my 20s, I decided I should learn how to care for them myself. By the time I moved to SC in the fall of 2002, I was an experienced wildlife rehabilitator. We chose South Carolina after a series of very positive conversations with SCDNR, who assured me I could continue my work here. So, in the spring of 2003, we opened PAWS Animal Wildlife Sanctuary in Laurens County.

We searched properties for a year before finding our Sanctuary, which encompasses about 180 acres of woods and streams. I love this property. The topography is beautiful, with deep ravines and overlooks and some great flat areas where we set up our buildings and home sites. It’s my personal slice of heaven that also provides home and release areas to our rehabilitated wildlife.

As a wildlife rehabilitator, I work to save, rehab, and release individual animals in need. As an educator, I help people learn species’ value and how to peacefully coexist. Many human-wildlife conflicts are inadvertently caused by humans, but we can help correct these problems, even if we didn’t cause them. It’s the right thing to do as stewards of our planet.

Humans don’t always understand the place each creature occupies in nature. Sometimes, humans label animals a ‘nuisance’ and kill them rather than finding ways to peacefully coexist. Sometimes, people think there are ‘so many’ of them that it doesn’t matter.

As I often explain to callers surprised to see deer, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, opossums, and many other species living in their communities, animals do not have the luxury of packing up and moving out to less inhabited spaces. They live or die where they are born.

While raccoons and squirrels have adapted best to urban settings, others like bats, chimney swifts, and barn owls suffer the most. We have several permanent owl residents at PAWS who came to us after incidents with humans. Our educational barred owl, Orso, has vision issues from his car collision, which prevents him from catching enough prey. And our great horned owl, Emerson, came to us after getting caught in baseball backdrop netting. She has permanent wing damage that prevents her from flying, but she loves getting thoroughly soaked during rainstorms!

If the public finds an injured wild animal, they should contact someone who has training, supplies, access to veterinary care, and can recognize life-threatening problems. While some finders recognize problems too, others think they’re helping but do more harm by keeping the animal in their possession, which also breaks state and/or federal laws and risks disease and parasite transmission (rabies is actually low on the list). Another common misconception is that wild animals need food immediately, but there are several steps we take before feeding an animal, especially an emaciated one.

If someone does want to rehabilitate wildlife, the time to learn is before they have a wild animal in their possession. Otherwise, we end up with imprinted animals, like our turkey vulture, Kiki, who was improperly raised by humans and became too bonded to them. It is important to keep our vultures in the environment because they remove carcasses quickly and help prevent the spread of disease and bacteria; their digestive tract can even remove Anthrax!

I would love to see a kinder and gentler world between humans and between humans and other creatures. I’m a strong proponent for peaceful coexistence. Humans can live in the same areas as wildlife without conflict.

The public can help by understanding that wildlife needs to remain wild. It is not a good idea to attract wild animals to your yard with food, because what one resident considers lovely, another might consider a nuisance. That being said, in the heat of summer and dry spells, people can set out water bowls on the far fringes of their yards for thirsty animals.

People can also help by not littering. Many don’t realize that discarding trash on the road, even if it’s biodegradable, attracts small animals who come to investigate interesting odors. It doesn’t take long before predators learn that trash might be hiding prey and that’s when they or the prey get hit.

I think it’s fitting for humans, as caretakers of the planet, to help wildlife survive in situations we create.

If you find an animal in need, please call PAWS Animal Wildlife Sanctuary at (864) 715-2171.

For more information about PAWS, visit paws-sc.com.

Mable Owens Clarke

STEWARD & MATRIARCH OF SOAPSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH | PICKENS

I was born on Liberia Road in Pickens County, two doors down from Soapstone Baptist Church, and I grew up there. This area was first settled by Native Americans. Of course, they were run off the land and later, 600 freed slaves came to the area.

My great-great-grandfather was among those freed slaves — his name was Joseph McJunkin. He started a church there. At that time, there was no money to build a church. He cut down trees and created a brush arbor, and they would have services under it. He named it Soapstone, after the rock found across the land the church sits on. As time went on, they planted the cotton and other plants. Those 600 pooled their money together, bought lumber, and built the original Soapstone Baptist Church.

I was baptized in that church when I was ten years old. Shortly after that in 1968, it was burned down by Ku Klux Klansmen. But my parents had a big farm, and sold so many vegetables, they were able to rebuild and open the church as it stands today within one year. It was remarkable.

When the freed slaves came to Liberia in 1865, they also developed the slave cemetery on the property. I had heard my parents talk about it when we were younger, and us kids would ask them to take us to it. They said it was too painful. They couldn’t do it. We knew it was somewhere on the six acres, but never knew where.

I had a land surveyor come out. He told me he found the graves nestled in the woods. About two weeks after that, I sent a letter to all our sister churches in the community asking for help — chainsaws, bulldozers, whatever means they had to help cut away everything that had grown up there. I said, “If you come and help me at 7:30 on Saturday morning, I’ll make you one of the best lunches you’ve ever had.”

Sure enough, I had 35 people show up that morning. They worked until 12 o’clock and still hadn’t gotten to a grave. I gave them a nice lunch as I had promised. I asked if we could schedule another date to work and they insisted on going back out there. “We’re going to see at least one grave before we leave today,” they said.

At 3 o’clock, I heard clapping. Everyone threw down their shovels and saws and took off running. They’d found a grave!

Now the cemetery has been cleared out, and there’s a cul-de-sac and beautiful entranceway and shrubbery. I just felt so compelled to give those slaves some dignity and be a voice for them.

When my mother became paralyzed from a stroke, I came out of work to take care of her and my dad. One particular day, I asked what she wanted for breakfast. She said, “I don’t want breakfast today, but I’ve got two favors I need from you.”

The first favor was to bring my oldest brother back to the family house. Then she asked me to take her hand — she squeezed it so tight — and said, “Do not let the doors of Soapstone Church close. Promise me you’ll continue to carry out your great-great-grandfather’s legacy. Continue to care for what me and your dad did to rebuild the church.”

Three days later, the angels came and she left us.

People ask me how I came up with doing the monthly fish fry and stuck with it for so long. My mother’s driven spirit helped me do it. I had to do it.

I kept the promise I made to her. I started a monthly fish fry with the money raised going toward paying off the church’s debts. It was 22 years into the fish fry when the bank called and said, not that we were behind or anything, but that they needed $50,000 or we would lose the church.

Then, a few things happened. Eating Well magazine contacted me. They’d heard about the church and the fish fry. They wanted to send their food critic here.

Investors started contacting me then, too, offering to take me to the bank and pay the $50,000 off. They were coming out of the woodworks. Where the church sits, there’s a picturesque view of Caesars Head and Table Rock. People wanted to turn it into a neighborhood or a resort. That was when I started to get really serious about conserving this land. The more these investors would come in, the more I was driven to protect it.

The Eating Well feature went international, and we started getting checks from London, Belgium, all over the world. We were able to pay off the mortgage on the church within a couple months.

Now I’m working with Upstate Forever and others on the conservation easement so Soapstone Baptist Church can and will always be a historic site, even when my time is up. I feel like Upstate Forever is my family that helped me to keep my promise to my mother.

For her tireless and quiet dedication to secure the preservation of the historic Soapstone Baptist Church, Mable Owens Clarke is the recipient of Upstate Forever’s 2022 Marjorie E. Schmidt Stewardship Award. Our nationally-accredited land trust worked with Ms. Clarke, conservation partners, and funding sources to permanently protect Soapstone and its surrounding acreage through a conservation easement, finalized in 2022.

To learn more about Soapstone Baptist Church and the community of Liberia, visit soapstonechurch.com.

Diane Gluck

FOUNDER, CANCER SURVIVORS PARK ALLIANCE | GREENVILLE

The impetus for creating a Cancer Survivors Park in Greenville came from my daughter, Kimberly. She researched and designed the original park as part of her Senior Project at Christ Church Episcopal School in 1999. Her initial plan was to create a small healing garden outside of the windows of the cancer treatment room on the Eastside campus of Cancer Centers of the Carolinas so that patients would have something beautiful to look at while undergoing treatment.

However, when her research led her to the Bloch Foundation Cancer Survivors Parks, which focused on changing beliefs about cancer and focusing on living with rather than dying from cancer, she expanded her vision. She brought together the original steering committee and created the original design and infrastructure for the project. I became the firesoul — the “push” to keep the project moving forward regardless of the obstacles. Together with several critical members of that original committee, in particular the landscape architect Tom Keith, we worked to shepherd the idea forward until it finally came to fruition almost 20 years later.

Cancer Survivors Park in Greenville was specifically designed to capitalize on several key elements thought to improve healing: the power of nature to provide respite and rejuvenation, the power of community to decrease loneliness and isolation, the power of knowledge to introduce holistic programs that complement the benefits of medical treatment, and the power of the mind to encourage everyone to see cancer or any life-threatening illness as a turning point rather than an endpoint.

I have been fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time in the park and watch as people experience its many unique spaces and find their own space to heal. I have been astounded by the numerous serendipitous occurrences — the heron swooping down low over the speaker during the opening ceremonies for the park, the turtles returning to their nest near the labyrinth right when we are walking by, or the hawk sitting atop the stone column beside the bridge for almost half an hour, totally undisturbed by the onlookers snapping photos.

The most special to me, however, have been those moments when I felt that Cancer Survivors Park had become more than just another park. The first occurred during a drumming class for cancer survivors. We were inside the Center for Hope and Healing with the sun streaming through the windows and a focused view of the trees. People were walking and biking along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail and glancing in to watch. At the end of the session, one of the cancer survivors commented, “I love having our classes here. I love being surrounded by nature but, even more, I love that people can look in and see us and think ‘Wow, they look normal.’”

The second experience was when I met a young father and his daughter at the park. The little girl’s mother had just passed away earlier that day, and she had asked to come to the park. The father told me that during the mother’s illness, the family had come to the park often, hoping that the girl would have a happy place that she could come to and feel her mother’s presence. That day, the little girl joyfully shared that she was happy because she was at “mommy’s park.”

Cancer impacts us all in some way and rocks our world — physically, emotionally, and socially. Despite the advances being made in treatment and survivorship, the diagnosis continues to be associated with fear and hopelessness. I have spent most of my adult life with cancer survivors, both professionally as a family therapist and personally as the wife of an oncologist and the daughter and daughter in- law of cancer survivors. I consistently observed the role that attitudes and beliefs play in how different people deal with illness and trauma. Many survive their illness but never completely heal.

As we developed the concept for Greenville’s Cancer Survivors Park, we spent a lot of time learning about the power of place and, in particular, the advantages nature can have on the healing process. Research has clearly shown that time spent with nature can decrease stress, improve mood, and change one’s physiology in ways that enhance healing. In addition, being “in community” and interacting with others in peaceful settings is known to provide significant health benefits.

Finally, groups like NatureSacred have consistently demonstrated that when open natural settings are intentionally combined with personal stories and inspiring messaging about healing, they become sacred places that not only delight, but also transform visitors. That is what we hope we have created for anyone seeking to find peace and healing, regardless of where they are on their life’s journey.

Learn more about the park at cancersurvivorspark.org.

Ruth Littlejohn

CITY COUNCILWOMAN | SPARTANBURG

I have many memorable experiences from growing up in Spartanburg. My neighborhood was a tight-knit community; most importantly, we knew our neighbors. Neighborhoods were like villages – if you did something you weren’t supposed to, the neighbors corrected you, and you’d better listen or else they’d tell your mother!

I remember Spartanburg being a thriving town. I enjoyed going downtown because there were so many wonderful shops. My neighbor and I would occasionally ride our bikes from the northside to the southside of town, where there were so many thriving African American businesses.

When my husband, Horace, and I married in 1975, we left Spartanburg to travel with the Air Force. He retired in 1996 as a Lt. Colonel, and we decided to return to Spartanburg in 2004. We purchased and restored an older home in the South Converse Community on the southside. When we moved back, it was like a ghost town and very depressing. Many downtown stores had moved to Westgate Mall or had gone out of business, leaving behind vacant store fronts.

After returning to Spartanburg, I was elected president of the South Converse Neighborhood Association in 2008 and began playing a role in Spartanburg’s comeback. As a child, I was taught cleanliness is next to godliness. Before school, we checked to make sure there wasn’t trash in the yard, road, or around our house. I continue to believe that if we can get children involved in cleanups, they will encourage adults and others not to litter. So I started a monthly cleanup program that continues today. Other neighborhoods have also gotten involved in cleanup initiatives, and, as a board member of Keep One Spartanburg Beautiful, I help with the cleanup throughout Spartanburg County, too.

Now, there’s much vibrancy and development in the city, with more to come. It’s encouraging to see our City, County, and OneSpartanburg working together to make this a better place for all. We have a hardworking and devoted City Team that I joined in 2018, and we’re trying to ensure everyone is included as development and business expands in the city and county.

We’ve had a great response to Spartanburg’s Comprehensive Plan with discussions focused on guaranteeing Spartanburg’s future development aligns with the City’s goal of racial and social equity. We’ve negotiated and collaborated with developers to include affordable housing within market rate developments, and we believe this will pay dividends in our communities for years to come.

Recently, Council approved the first affordable development in our downtown footprint, creating a foundation for future development.

We also have many areas where we can better use our natural resources to serve our communities. The South Converse Street Park refurbishment, for example, provided a much-needed recreational area for children and families to enhance family togetherness, eliminate obesity, and provide space for picnics and neighborhood gatherings.

As a PAL board member, I saw the pandemic prove how important greenspaces and trails are in lowering blood pressure, stress, and cholesterol rates. Such spaces also enable friends and families to gather in a socially distanced way. I believe having more greenspaces, parks, and playgrounds benefits everyone.

My favorite outdoor spot is the Mary Black Rail Trail. I don’t believe there’s any place around that brings people together more. I enjoy seeing old classmates, church members, neighbors, and friends, and it is accessible for diverse users.

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed seeing all the development off this trail, including the Carolina Panthers Play 60, covered picnic pavilion, dog park, Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park, and the Fretwell (a community hub now under construction). The YMCA is also located a few feet off the trail, and The Southside Cultural Monument is coming soon.

The best way people can get involved with Spartanburg’s initiative for sustainable development is to provide feedback to their council representatives about what they think will support or sustain current and future developments.

I am excited to see the transformation that’s currently taking place in our beautiful city. Everyone wants to move here!

Interested in growth and land use issues in Spartanburg? Sign up for UF's dedicated email list about these topics at upstateforever.org/email.

What do you enjoy most about working for Upstate Forever? 
The people. During my time at Upstate Forever I have had the pleasure of working with great people both within and outside of the organization. I’m encouraged to know there are so many talented, passionate, and motivated people working to protect the Upstate’s natural resources. 

What does a typical work day for the Clean Water Director look like?
I am responsible for overseeing and coordinating the Clean Water team’s progress on our various projects across the Upstate. I stay connected with grantors and project partners and keep them updated about our progress. I also prepare presentations and other outreach materials that we use to educate the landowners and the general public about what local water issues and what they can do to help protect water quality.  

What brought you to the Upstate?
My family has lived in Greenville for 13+ years. We moved to Greenville in 2008 when my husband took a position with Furman University. Shortly after moving here, I was hired at Upstate Forever as an Urban Waters Project Associate and have been working here ever since. 

What do you love most about the Upstate? 
I love having access to such a wide range of recreational opportunities. My family enjoys exploring local trails and waterways. So many amazing things to see within a short drive from home. 

Where’s your ‘happy place?’ 
My happy place is my backyard. Over the years we have transformed our half-acre lot into our private sanctuary full of native plants and animals. My family has spent many days playing in the small stream behind our house searching for critters, including my favorites, tadpoles, and snakes.

Who do you look up to? 
My mother, who instilled in me many valuable life lessons including: 1) be kind, 2) do my part, and 3) spend at least an hour outside every day.

More about Erika

Erika Hollis joined Upstate Forever in 2008. Since that time she has been working on projects related to stormwater management and low-impact development techniques. Her responsibilities also include educating municipal governments, the development community, and the general public on the impacts of non-point source pollution on water quality in our communities. Erika also led Upstate Forever’s efforts to involve citizens in water quality monitoring through the Adopt-A-Stream program.

Erika holds a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MS from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Her previous experience includes work as a Watershed Manager in central Pennsylvania, studying bacterial contamination in the Great Lakes, and as an AmeriCorps volunteer on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. She enjoys using her skills and experience to help protect water and air quality in Upstate South Carolina.

Erika lives in Greenville with her husband, daughter, dog, and two cats.

This gift of $23,000 from Fairway Subaru and customers makes a meaningful impact on our team's work to protect Upstate SC's critical lands, abundant waters, and unique character.

Thank you, Fairway Subaru!

Our Clean Water team recently toured Anderson Regional Joint Water System’s (ARJWS) Hartwell Lake Filter Plant in Anderson— and we want to take you along for a behind-the-scenes virtual tour! 

Intake 

ARJWS draws raw water from Lake Hartwell. Water from all rivers and reservoirs can contain a variety of organisms and inorganic material that must be removed at a water treatment plant before the water is safe for drinking and other uses. The journey to clean water begins here, as water is pumped up the hill from intake to the treatment plant. 

Ozone pre-treatment 

ARJWS is unique in using ozone as a pre-treatment technique.  

Ozone is a naturally-occurring molecule. ARJWS creates it onsite by converting liquid oxygen to gas and adding an electrical charge to it. This chemical-free technique removes the taste and odor associated with algal blooms in Lake Hartwell.  

Flocculation and sedimentation 

Lime is added to balance the water’s pH level, and the coagulant alum is then added to the water. This coagulant encourages suspended organic material to form large clumps, called flocc. These flocc particles are heavier than water and, along with larger particles such as sand and silt, are allowed to settle out. This process removes over 80% of suspended matter in the water.  

This water enters the center of one of four large clarifiers and works its way out, becoming clearer and clearer before heading to filtration. 

Filtration and final steps 

This facility has 11 filters on-site. Water travels through the filters pulled by gravity, and is 99.9% clean at this point in the process. It heads to the underground clear well for final treatment and disinfection.  

Lime is once again added to balance the water’s pH level. Phosphate is added, which helps protect pipes from this facility to your home from corrosion. Chlorine eliminates any viruses or bacteria present, and a very small dose of fluoride is added. Over 200 water quality tests are conducted daily in an on-site lab.  

Drink up 

What was raw water from Lake Hartwell just 3-hours ago is now potable water. ARJWS stores water in two on-site reservoirs — each capable of containing 6 million gallons — and distributes this clean water to 14 local water utilities through a 40-mile distribution system.  

About ARJWS

Anderson Regional Joint Water System is a partnership of rural and municipal water districts. ARJWS is a provider for 14 water utilities in the Upstate: Big Creek Water District, Broadway Water and Sewer District, City of Anderson, City of Clemson, Clemson University, Hammond Water District, Homeland Park Water District, Powdersville Water, Sandy Springs Water District, Starr-Iva Water and Sewer District, Town of Central, Town of Pendleton, Town of Williamston, and West Anderson Water District.  

This treatment facility located on the shores of Lake Hartwell was constructed in 1968. ARJWS operates with a staff of 22. Once water has completed a 3-hour treatment process, it’s distributed through a 40-mile system. The facility is maintained and operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Generators ensure the water treatment process continues, even if power is lost to other local homes and businesses. 

Improving water quality in the 3&20 Watershed

Upstate Forever has partnered with ARJWS to implement a watershed-based plan for the Three and Twenty Creek Watershed. This plan addresses potential sources of bacteria, sediment, and nutrient pollution and identifies critical areas for protection and restoration throughout the watershed. If you live within the Three and Twenty Watershed, you may qualify for cost share assistance for projects including land protection, septic tank repair/replacement, agricultural and stormwater best management practices, and riparian buffer restoration. To learn more and see if you qualify for cost share assistance, click here.

First, what is a watershed? 

A watershed is an area of land in which all the waterways drain to a single common point. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes, with smaller ones (think of your local creek) making up larger watersheds. The largest watersheds are known as basins.

In Upstate SC we fall within three basins — the Broad, Saluda, and Savannah — each named for the common point, a river, the watershed drains to. Protecting and maintaining water quality in watersheds is a complicated process as it is highly dependent upon the types of landscapes these waterways flow through.

South Carolina’s waterways, their health and vitality, are the cornerstone to all things in South Carolina. Our waterways power our industries and homes, with power generation utilizing the greatest volumes of water in our permitting system. Our state’s largest industry, agriculture, uses surface and groundwater to put food on our table and feed the growing local food movement. The state’s population and tourists paddle, swim, fish, and boat from our mountain streams to the coasts. Ample rainfall, groundwater replenishment, and clean water help maintain a healthy South Carolina economy.  

Maintaining clean water is a very dynamic process, and to do it well, must be done at a watershed level.

What threatens water quality in a watershed?

When rain falls onto the ground, it can do one of two things: flow into the ground and become groundwater, or flow on top of the ground and become runoff.

Runoff flows across land surfaces and picks up natural and man-made pollutants that are then discharged into the nearest waterway. This type of pollution is known as nonpoint source pollution (NPS) and is the leading threat to water quality in the US. Examples of sources of NPS pollution in the Upstate include runoff from farmland, livestock facilities, construction sites, lawns and gardens, city streets and parking lots, and forestry.

In contrast, point source pollution is a single, identifiable source of pollution discharged into water bodies from a single identifiable source such as a pipe, channel, or ditch.

What is a watershed-based plan?  

In a nutshell, a watershed-based plan (WBP) provides a framework for restoring water quality problems in a watershed. A WBP identifies problems in a watershed, proposes solutions, and provides a strategy for putting these plans into action. WBPs are a collaborative process that includes stakeholder input to help identify issues and develop feasible management solutions for the watershed. 

A WBP helps identify known and likely causes and sources of NPS in a watershed. It also helps prioritize NPS issues, identify appropriate best management practices and watershed-based strategies for addressing problems, and develop winning proposals to fund later implementation work.

Who provides funding for watershed-based planning? 

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) oversees the Nonpoint Source Program for the state of South Carolina. As part of this work, SCDES monitors NPS pollution, unregulated discharges of sediment, bacteria, and nutrients into a waterway. Many different organizations, including Upstate Forever, are eligible to apply to develop WBPs.

Click here to view a list of SCDES’s approved WBPs

What’s the difference between watershed-based planning and implementation? 

After completing a WBP, Upstate Forever works to secure funding from SCDES to implement the recommended strategies, otherwise known as Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs are designed to address pollutants of concern, such as bacteria, nutrients, and sediment in watersheds to protect drinking water resources.

Click here to see where we are working now

Homeowners that live in these select watersheds may be eligible for cost-share assistance to install projects on their properties to improve water quality. These funds are made available through SCDES’s Section 319 Grant Program. Examples of common water improvement projects include septic tank repairs/replacements, agricultural projects such as livestock fencing and watering facilities, and even land protection with conservation easements. Based on eligibility, Upstate Forever can provide up to 60% of the cost of projects! 

How can residents get involved with WBPs? 

Upstate Forever holds a community meeting at the start of every new WBP development process. This helps our Clean Water team understand areas of concern and water quality issues residents would like to see addressed.

Another important component of WBP implementation is monitoring a measurable difference in improving water quality above and below septic tank repair and agricultural project sites. Residents can get involved with this task by participating in South Carolina Adopt-A-Stream (SC AAS). SC AAS provides the opportunity for anyone interested in protection and improved management of South Carolina’s waterways to be directly involved in their monitoring and reporting.

Lastly, landowners within the boundary of our focus areas could be eligible to participate in cost-share programs on their property for projects such as septic tank repairs or agricultural BMP projects. To see if you are within our current project area, see the map below or click here and search your address.

What WBPs have UF’s Clean Water team been involved in, and what is currently in the works?  

Our team has collaborated with local partners across the region to complete several WBPs in the Upstate, including Twelvemile Creek, Three and Twenty Creek, Lake Greenwood, Lake Keowee, Pacolet River, Saluda River, and the Tyger River watersheds. What’s more, UF recently kicked off this planning process in the Rocky River Watershed, which is expected to be completed by January 2026.

Additionally, our team is actively working on implementation projects in the Three and Twenty Creek watershed.

If you live within the current focus areas outlined in the map above and would like to find out if you are eligible for project funding, please contact Clean Water Specialist Rebecca Wade at rwade@upstateforever.org. 

How did you first get interested in native grasses? 

In 2009, after we put the Warrior Mountain tract under easement, we had some local experts do an endangered species survey to see if we had anything that needed serious conservation efforts. So Russell Burns and Rick Huffman came down and surveyed the whole property and gave us a really good catalog of what they saw. During that time, I got used to identifying many native plants that I wasn’t familiar with before. I had already begun looking for a way to generate more revenue, and Rick mentioned producing native plant seed. He consulted with me on how to actually go about starting that work and how to make contacts with the people marketing and selling the seeds. One of the big things that Rick did was put me in touch with John Seymour of Roundstone Native Seed in Kentucky. We toured the entire operation and equipment set up. John was extremely gracious to host us and has been an incredible resource. 

Describe your native grass growing operation.

Right now I have about 20 acres of Indian Grass, 20 acres of Purple Top, 10 acres of Black-eyed Susan, 14 acres of Little Bluestem and Broomsedge, and we are putting another 70 acres into a grass and pollinator mix through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) program. I send the bulk seed to Roundstone, who separates, cleans, and tests the seed, and has the marketing and distribution channels.

What are the economic opportunities for native grass seed producers?

At the time that I connected with Rick, I didn’t know much about the economic value of native plants and had no idea that the native seed market even existed. I began learning how big the footprint of native seed market actually was with projects like roadside restoration projects, food plot mixes, or beautification projects. Right now, certain specialty grasses that are harder to find or grow could be quite profitable. Getting the process to be effective and efficient can be difficult. The supply/demand cycle is also hard to predict, so prices can be up or down. If it's something you'd enjoy doing, and love the work itself, it could be a good option.

Aside from growing native grasses for seed production, what ecological benefits could a landowner expect if they began planting native grasses?

I can’t believe the volume of insects that I see now — everything from mantids to grasshoppers. I’ve observed lots of species that I had never seen before, and I’ve lived here my whole life. That has caused other species up the food chain do better as well. I wouldn’t say that there are noticeably more large species, like deer or turkey, but they seem to be healthier as a result. Fortunately, some of the native grasses are very easy to plant even if you have some weed pressure, as long as you aren’t trying to establish a monoculture seed production field. It's also just very pretty.

What are some lessons learned during your grass propagation journey?

Starting out, my ideas were bigger than my capacity when I began trying to produce native grass seed commercially. I should have started smaller to get familiar with the land, cultural practices, timing, and how much work it takes per acre. For example, spring and summer plantings did not work for me. I had to plant everything in the fall even though the seed was pre-stratified, or cold treated, in order to give it enough time to compete with the weeds. There are good selective herbicides for some of it, but most of the species are very sensitive to chemicals when they're young, so you have to be very careful during that first year.

That being said, you have to be much more thorough with the field preparation prior to planting than I was. I came in with the intention of having a very light hand and small footprint, and tried to minimize the amount of chemicals and equipment needed. But you really do have to be assertive prior to establishment. I was really surprised by the invasive weeds in the seed bank. There was so much pigweed in one field that I didn’t know was there until the hay was gone. It took over the whole field in less than a month and choked out all of the Partridgepea I had planted. I should have really observed that field for a season, after the first burn down, to see exactly what would come up, and then deal with it before putting the seed in.

And you will need machinery if you’re going to produce native grass seed commercially (tractor, seed drill, disks, spreader, sprayer, combine, seed stripper, drying bins, etc). That has turned out to be the area that's taken the most time and money for me. If you're trying to establish natives in a former pasture or hay field, I would do at least two herbicide burn downs a couple months apart during the summer prior to planting, followed by Panoramic/Plateau as a pre-emergent application if the species you're planting can handle it.

In other cases, you might be surprised by desired species that can emerge from the seed bank. One of our fields had been a timber plantation for the last 100 years. When we harvested the timber to begin establishing grasses a huge amount of Little Bluestem, Silky Oatgrass, Showy Tickseed and other natives popped up. It’s really remarkable.

What are some helpful resources for landowners interested in establishing native grasses on their property?

Most of the advice that you get from the Universities, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), or growers is spot on, and in general everything that they tell you about how to establish these plants is the best way to do it. NRCS can also be a resource for funding.

What is your vision for the future of native grass establishment in the Upstate?

I would hope that long term, maybe some of these grasses could be used as energy crops. Ecologically, there are opportunities for conversion of old fallow hay fields. If you get rid of the dog fennel, Johnsongrass, and Pigweed and you begin to establish Little Bluestem, Indiangrass, and other natives, you will begin to see an uptick in everything from insects to birds and larger animals. I could see that taking off in the future, ultimately improving the piedmont habitat, a patchwork of grasslands and forests, which would benefit pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

Photos by Morgan Yelton

Joseph McJunkin and Katie Owens were born into slavery and raised in Marietta and Pumpkintown, respectively. After the war, they joined nearly 600 freed slaves relocating to the new community of Liberia. In time, the community grew, raising homes, farms, and eventually a place of worship. A one-room schoolhouse, thought to be the oldest remaining African American school in SC, was built adjacent to the church. 

Today, Joseph and Katie’s great-granddaughter Mable Owens Clarke is the sixth-generation steward and matriarch of Soapstone Baptist Church. 

On its namesake soapstone outcropping, perched atop a ridge looking toward fields, patches of forest, and the towering Blue Ridge Escarpment, the church has served the community since the late 1800s. The original church stood for nearly 100 years until it was burned to the ground. On that April evening in 1967, a message was scratched into the dirt parking lot: “The KKK has paid you a visit.”

The community — both Black residents of Liberia and white neighbors — banded together to rebuild the church just a year later. This time, it would be constructed of cinder blocks. The act of arson was not the first hardship the church faced, nor would it be the last. 

In the last days of her 104 years, Mable’s mother, Lula Owens, asked her to promise one thing: That she would keep the doors of Soapstone open and preserve the church’s legacy.   

A dwindling congregation and debt from a building addition strained the church. Mable, having taken culinary classes while living in Boston as a young adult, started offering a monthly fish fry with all proceeds going toward repaying Soapstone’s debts. These monthly events became legendary, drawing attendees from across the Southeast to taste Mable’s fried flounder, collard greens, mac and cheese, and other delectable bites. (She would end up hosting these events for 22 years before the last fish fry in October 2021.) 

Meanwhile, a surveyor working near the property in 2011 spotted small soapstone markers among a thicket of dense foliage. Mable had long heard stories of the historic cemetery located somewhere on the property, where the earliest settlers of Liberia — including her ancestors — had been laid to rest. The thought of the graveyard and the lifetime experiences of those within it were too painful for her parents to discuss with their children, so Mable and others would not discover its location until many years later.

With the help and hard work of volunteers, the 150-year-old cemetery was unearthed. Just five small headstones were discovered, the graves of Liberia’s ancestors largely unmarked. Ever determined to honor their history and restore the dignity of the cemetery’s residents — many of whom had been born into slavery — Mable led the effort with others to clean and dedicate the graveyard and erect an informational sign and black locust wood fence around its perimeter.

With the bank loan for the addition coming to maturity, tens of thousands of dollars were due by the end of 2020 or the community would lose the church. Developers had been circling, offering to purchase the property, raze it, and build residences on the scenic land. 

Mable continued to work toward fulfilling her mother’s dying wish. Some friends had created a GoFundMe. They watched donations trickle in and wondered if it would be enough by the end of the year. What happened next was a testament to Mable’s tenacity, the strength and story of Liberia, and what some might consider divine intervention... 

A national magazine, Eating Well, had contacted Mable and sent a reporter to cover the Soapstone Fish Fry. After the story was published in August of 2020, contributions to the GoFundMe began pouring in from across the country, and even from international donors. By October, the mortgage had been paid off.  

Now, Mable could look to the future. In 2021, she began working to permanently protect Soapstone Baptist Church and its surrounding acreage through a conservation easement, ensuring this historic property — including the historic buildings, soapstone outcroppings, and cemetery — will never be lost to development.  

The future of Soapstone indeed looks bright. The conservation easement has not yet been finalized, but generous support from grantors will make the permanent protection of the property possible in 2022. Soapstone Baptist Church plans to continue holding regular services and maintaining the cemetery, restore the schoolhouse, and become a focal point on an African American heritage trail in the Upstate.  

We all engage in so many daily tasks that it can feel burdensome to add another item to the to-do list. Luckily, there are a variety of efficient ways for constituents to interact with their elected officials. Below are some guidelines for how to effectively engage with your legislator or local council member.

Not sure who represents you, or where to find their contact information? Visit this page for a list of handy links, organized by area of jurisdiction.

Find elected officials

How to contact local council members

City and County Councils make decisions on zoning, land use, infrastructure, public services, and local energy projects within their respective municipal areas. These decisions will often have immediate and lasting impacts on your community.

When you’re ready to speak up about a local issue, consider reaching out to your council member in one of the following ways:   

1. Email: Most council members can be reached via the county government website. A brief, personalized message is often the most effective first step.
    
2. Call: Even if you don’t speak directly with your council member, their staff can relay your message and track constituent concerns.
    
3. Attend a council meeting: Most meetings include public comment periods, a great chance to speak on the record about local projects or policies. Be sure you look into the specific time allotments and sign-up rules for speakers in advance — public comment specifications vary by municipality and type of meeting.

How to contact SC state legislators

Your state representatives in the SC House and Senate help shape the laws that guide South Carolina’s approach to environmental protection, energy policy, and public health.

If you have concerns that involve statewide policy or legislation, the most effective ways to connect with your representatives are:  

1. Email: The most efficient way to direct your concerns to your legislators is via email. The SC Legislature’s website allows you to send messages that will be recorded and forwarded to the elected official’s office. Not sure who represents you? Click here to find your SC legislators.
    
2. Call: Although you may not speak directly with your elected official, a member of his or her staff will document your concerns and pass them along. At the state level, business and personal phone numbers can be found on individual legislators’ information pages on the Legislature website. Click here to find your SC legislators.
    
3. Write a Letter: Add a personal touch to the concerns you want to convey by writing and mailing a letter. Bonus: Letters provide a written record of constituents’ concerns for the legislator’s office. Like phone numbers, mailing addresses can be found on individual legislators’ information pages on the State Legislature website. Click here to find your SC legislators.

A note about online action centers

Online action centers and webforms are a quick and easy way to show your support or concern for a local ordinance, bill, or other issue in your community! Many people acting through an online form can show legislators the volume of support — or opposition — for a topic.

However, there are some caveats... Contact submissions from these online forms can lack personalization and identical messages can easily be filtered out of the recipient’s inbox. If you do use an online form to act — they can be powerful and we even share them with our audience on occasion! — be sure to personalize your message, speak from your individual experience, and consider following up with a phone call.

What to Say to elected officials

Now that you’ve decided how to contact your elected official, what should you say?

Try following these tips:

1. Introduce yourself. Greet the official and provide your name. If you are their constituent, let them know that and give your home address. If you are not their direct constituent, explain to the official how you have a stake in the issue at hand. 
    
2. Clearly state your message. Make sure you specifically reference the issue, its location, and important context, such as timeline or the number of people affected. 
    
3. Keep it brief! Be concise and get to the point. Remember that although it is part of your elected official’s job to listen to your concerns, they may have other tasks, meetings, and duties to address.
    
4. Humanize your message. Help your official understand your concerns from your personal experience. Your legislator or council member is a person too, so speak to their humanness by asking them to imagine themselves in your position. Also, avoid making any personal attacks. Since your elected official's time is valuable, you don’t want to waste it on negative accusations that could weaken your message or even cause them to ignore your concern.
    
5. Thank them. Your elected official works hard for your community and has limited time, so be sure to thank them for listening and taking action. A little praise and gratitude can go a long way in getting your message heard!

Michael Coleman is the Energy Advocate at Upstate Forever. He can be contacted at mcoleman@upstateforever.org.

Why is Upstate Forever's work important to you?
Seeing the expansive growth in the region, I believe Upstate Forever’s work to protect land, water, and encourage the use of renewable energy, while also pushing back against excessive energy infrastructure, is critical in doing our part to not only protect the Upstate region, but also our planet. I believe the work our organization does is also important in helping to facilitate sustainable growth for generations to come.

What do you love most about the Upstate?
I love the ambiance of the entire Upstate, especially the distant mountain views.

What hobbies do you enjoy?
Traveling, fishing, listening to various genres of music, and spending time with family and friends.

What’s your favorite song?
Hard to choose because I have so many, but my favorite song to start the day is “In My Feelings” by Drake.

More About Michael

With experience ranging from political campaigns to the financial sector, Michael has used his in-depth knowledge to provide corporate leaders with advisement regarding legislation and elections. He also has experience in facilitating communication with government agencies around the country. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of South Carolina Upstate, and a Master of Public of Administration focusing on (Law &Public Policy) from Liberty University. He is excited to apply his experience to help Upstate Forever further develop its Energy program.

As we start a new year and chart the course for Upstate Forever’s strategic plan that will guide our team’s work from 2023-2028, we wanted to share some of the work behind our words. Below is a status update regarding the goals for diversity, equity and inclusion set forth in 2020. 

Our commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion 

Upstate Forever’s mission is to protect critical lands, waters, and the unique character of the Upstate region. We envision a future that is healthy, vibrant, and prosperous. To realize that vision, we know it is vitally important and essential to our core values that we engage the diverse community we serve. 

1. To develop and advance long-lasting, equitable solutions for balanced growth and natural resource protection, our leadership is committed to working intentionally to engage a broader base of Upstate residents in the coming years.  

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to: 

• In 2021, UF co-hosted two virtual events focused on the intersection of racial equity, land policy, and environmental justice. These events resulted in a partnership, led by Sustaining Way, to pursue on an effort to pursue EPA environmental justice funding to support Greenville’s New Washington Heights Community.

• Formed a coalition among conservation partners and Indigenous and minority leaders to advance legislation that would establish limits for toxic drinking water contaminants that often plague communities of color and underserved areas in SC. 

• Advocated against and organized response to energy utilities’ proposed rate hikes that would have placed inordinate burdens on low-income communities. 

• Collaborated on projects related to energy burden through SC Connected in Crisis, a group working to elevate stories of energy insecurity. This group also worked to mobilize the PSC to address energy poverty among SC residents to lower energy bills and increase efficiency and access to clean energy. 

• Actively working to expand participation in our Citizens Planning Academy, an educational course designed to help Greenville community members understand and engage in local planning and land use policy. The class of Fall 2021 was the most diverse yet: Approximately half of participants identified as Caucasion or White and the other half as African American or Black, Hispanic or Latinx, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American, or another racial or ethnic identity. 

• Worked with partners to launch Impact Greenville, a coalition working to shape public policy at the intersection of affordable housing, transit, and land use. 

• Our Land Conservation team is actively seeking to provide information and protect properties owned by people of color, especially by leveraging available funding to help maintain their working farms forever. 

• Working with partners in source water protection areas to provide financial assistance to low-income homeowners to fix failing septic systems. 

• Contracted with The Avarna Group — a consulting group working at the nexus of DEI and conservation — to conduct an audit of our organization’s communications materials. We are working to integrate their recommendations to ensure that the language and photography on Upstate Forever’s website, social media, publications, and other materials represent all who have a stake in our work — a group diverse in race and ethnicity, age, gender, ability, access to nature, and more. 

2. We will build staff knowledge and capacity related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will frequently ask ourselves — who is impacted by this work, and how is their voice represented in the conservation and advocacy solutions we seek? We will amplify the stories of underrepresented stakeholders in the conservation movement — especially people of color.

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to: 

• UF staff participated in a training with Dr. Nika White in 2019, and a virtual DEI training in spring of 2020. Staff now rotate the responsibility of sharing DEI resources on a monthly basis. A staff-wide discussion of these resources is facilitated at monthly meetings. 

• Our Communications team is actively working to amplify voices of diverse leaders in the conservation movement — both at the local level and more broadly. 

3. Finally, we will take deliberate steps to build authentic community partnerships and cultivate new leaders at all levels of our organization — from our membership to our staff to our board — to ensure that we better represent the community we serve. 

Efforts toward this goal include, but are not limited to:

• We have implemented revisions to UF’s recruiting and hiring processes to attract a broader applicant pool and mitigate bias in the hiring process. Our staff is now making edits to the employee handbook to institutionalize these diversity, equity & inclusion best practices for recruitment, interviewing, and hiring. 

• The Board Nominating and Governance Committee is actively seeking recommendations for community members well suited for board service who would also expand board diversity. 

This work is ongoing and we want to listen and learn from members of the Upstate community. Please contact lhallo@upstateforever.org with questions and comments. 

Adventure tourism is on the rise and travelers are increasingly seeking new places to connect with the natural world. The City of Walhalla’s Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park in Oconee is an outstanding example of how state-of-the-art trails can draw in visitors with an affinity for adventure from near and far. Upstate Forever holds the conservation easement on this property and protects it in perpetuity from residential or commercial development.

Nestled within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 440-acre Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park is a must-see for the rider with an affinity for botany. The park boasts over 14 miles of trails, which wind through a matrix of humid bottomland forests, ephemeral streams, moody tunnels of Mountain Laurel and dry upland stands of Loblolly Pine.

Riders will travel across damp coves blanketed in ferns, wild ginger, and fragrant hydrangeas. This opulent tapestry of understory plants is constantly in flux, each season revealing new wildflower treasures. Be sure 
to stop at the edge of the Walhalla Reservoir to see Littleleaf Sensitive Briar growing happily along the border of the trail. Petite and charming, this delicate vine adorned with pink powderpuff flowers appears to be straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.

Along the Palmetto Trail, gaps in the forest canopy provide abundant sunshine for Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, Phlox and Wild Quinine. In the summertime, fallen petals of Mountain Laurel decorate the Lake Loop Trail like delicate confetti.

Stumphouse Park is a true gem of the Upstate that provides cyclists of all ages and skill-levels an excellent workout and a chance to experience the wildness of the Blue Ridge Escarpment region.  

Lauren Ulich is the Assistant Director of Stewardship & Land Management at Upstate Forever. She can be reached at lulich@upstateforever.org.

Birding has skyrocketed in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic, and the Upstate is a great place to engage in this rewarding outdoor hobby. We asked expert birder and photographer Dr. Anthony Q. Martin to share some of his favorite spots to get up close and personal with local featherfolk.

I moved to Greenville in 1998, discovered Conestee Nature Preserve in 2013, and then discovered “birding” while there on a hike. On that hike I saw a tiny yellow, masked bird (a Common Yellowthroat) on the ground near a bush that reminded me of the “Lone Ranger” TV show from my childhood. This renewed my interest in photography, which I had dropped during my many years of college due to the high cost of film and developing on the low earnings of a student. By 2013, photography had gone digital and film and developing were things to forget. Today, I spend my free time engaged in various types of natural-world photography, specializing in birds.

Whether your thing is birding or bird photography, you will find in this activity a lot of fun and many pleasant experiences with like-minded people. The Greenville County Bird Club or the Keowee Clemson Bird Club are both great places to start. It’s on you to get out there and give it a shot!

Conestee Nature Preserve (CNP) is less than a 10-minute drive from my home and is essentially “home base” for me. Since 2013, I have probably made well over a million image captures there, with most of those being deleted — a great feature of digital cameras compared to film! 

The “dog days of summer” are the hard months for bird photography at CNP, but the birds come back starting around September and CNP becomes a stopping over place for migrants looking for a resting spot. The leaves start to drop as autumn sets in, and the birding (and photography) becomes a lot easier. For me, winter is the best time of year for photography as the colder early mornings means fewer people but still hungry birds. This time of year, it is easy to find solace and peace in the hidden places in CNP in the pursuit of images of avian subjects.

One aspect of CNP that I find amazing is the fact that we consistently, over the years, have had opportunities to get really good looks at birds that are typically hard to see up close. A notable example is the always elusive American Bittern. Their rulebooks say they have to stay hidden in the tall reeds away from people. Yet, on many occasions we have photographed them very near the observation deck in the West Bay area of CNP. They’d be right out in the open, feasting most of the day on sizable crawdads.

Even better, this year we had our first official sighting of a Least Bittern at CNP. This is a much smaller relative of the American Bittern. It is also elusive, and, due to its small size, extremely hard to get a shot of when flying. It remains hidden and then takes off from its hiding place for a short but low jaunt across the bay. But at the West Bay Observation Deck, we have gotten shots that show both a male and a female Least Bittern.

Another Upstate birding spot became a favorite of mine in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. CNP was closed for a spell, and I needed to get out. I had known of the Dobbins Farm area of Townville, SC, but had not spent a significant amount of my free time there. During this time I, and several other birders who live nearby, would learn to bird from our cars! Yes, for a period of time we did social distancing by staying inside our cars instead of standing next to each other on the side of the road. Birding and doing photography from a car can work really well because the car serves as a blind, enabling you to get closer to a bird than you could if you just attempted to walk up to it. Most birds don’t like people, and they tend to fly away once they see you coming (and they always see you).

Exciting sightings in the area include Blue Grosbeaks, a bird I never really got a close capture of until the pandemic drove me to Townville, and a Fork-tailed Flycatcher, a rare bird, and one of the things that 
make this an excellent place to spend your birding and photography time.

There are several other great birding spots in upstate South Carolina. Among them are Cedar Falls Park near Fountain Inn and the South Carolina Botanical Gardens in Clemson. However, birds know no boundaries and can be anywhere where food is found. In fact, just the other day, word came through the grapevine that Swallow-tailed Kites, large hawk-like birds, were feeding on grasshoppers in a field on Greenpond Road in Spartanburg County. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Anthony Q. Martin is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Clemson University. He joined the Clemson faculty in 1991 and continues to teach graduate and undergraduate courses and occasionally serves as an engineering consultant for Lockheed Martin to help pay for photography gear. If you have photography-related questions, you can reach him at anthonyqmartin@gmail.com.

Recent tree canopy maps produced by the Green Infrastructure Center show a direct correlation between tree canopy, income level, and land surface temperatures in the City of Greenville. Joelle Teachey of TreesUpstate offers a perspective on the many benefits of trees, and why it's important to address the tree deficits of less affluent communities. 

For many of us, planting trees is a natural thing to do. We want beautiful yards, more birds, and more shade. Some of us have cultivated urban nature oases where we weary city dwellers can find much needed rest and solace before our next venture into town. If we are very dedicated or fortunate to have land, we may have even created a backyard ecosystem that plays a role in restoring the natural environment.

While a small number of people may plant trees just to keep up with the neighbors or show-off, the vast majority of us love it when our nearby neighbors and our communities have more large and vibrant trees. Trees are sources of pride and make cities more livable by providing important public health, mental health, social, environmental and economic benefits. 

Yet, if you’ve ever paid a landscaper, arborist, or a nursery, you also know that healthy trees can come at a hefty financial cost — including planting, maintenance, watering, leaf blowing, pruning, pest control, and removal. It’s no wonder that there are more trees in more affluent communities — not because we don’t want others to have the same trees — but because of lack of resources and other complex social and economic reasons. That is why TreesUpstate is a nonprofit committed to tree equity and works closely with Upstate Forever and other problem-solving organizations who tackle a host of issues such as affordable housing, transportation, clean air, clean water and economic development.

Decades of peer-reviewed research show that trees have enormous benefits for everyone in a community. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Low tree canopy is directly linked to an increase in social, health, education, transportation and public safety issues. But trees can also save money in both the short and long term. Trees lower heating and cooling costs. Trees can decrease heat-related emergencies and are known to reduce the temperature of an area by an average of 10°F (and, in some places, as much as 45°F)! Poor air quality is carcinogenic and linked to cardiovascular and lung diseases and disorders. Add bad air to at-risk areas with lower access to health care, and it’s easy to see why tree inequity demands the attention of leaders and advocates like you. 

TreesUpstate launched our tree equity program in 2008 in partnership with the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority. Since then, we have planted over 10,000 trees with an emphasis on underserved parks, schools, and neighborhoods with little to no existing canopy. Every tree we plant is mapped so we can track and analyze their health and survival rate. The cumulative 25-year benefits of the trees we’ve planted is valued at over $5 million dollars. That amount will only grow as our trees reach 50, 75, and 100 years old and as we plant more trees. 

But even if a tree is planted, that doesn’t guarantee its long-term survival. Improperly planted trees require more maintenance, are more prone to pests and diseases, and have shorter life expectancies. We can avoid unnecessary and burdensome tree care costs in affordable housing communities through sound policy, enforcement, and by making sure the right people are involved in the process of planning and planting. I’ve seen way too many developer promises, only to find out ten years later that the frontline landscaper was ignoring rules, being lazy, or covering up catastrophic mistakes. 

As a fellow advocate of our Upstate’s natural resources, I know that you understand our challenges. But I’m also hopeful for the future. Trees have a way of crossing the political divide, uniting, and restoring communities. They really are amazing. So, who wants to plant some equitable trees together? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joelle Teachey is the former Executive Director of TreesUpstate. She is an ISA Certified Arborist and a SC Certified Landscape Professional. Visit TreesUpstate.org for more information about their organization.  

Urban hardy native species that do well in our area include (but are not limited to):

Overstory

Includes medium to large canopy trees

• white oak 
• swamp white oak
• swamp chestnut oak
• overcup oak
• Shumard oak
• Nuttall oak
• black tupelo
• tulip poplar
• American holly
• eastern redcedar
• southern magnolia
• American hornbeam
• hophornbeam
• American yellowwood
• eastern redbud
• American beech
• honeylocust
• pignut hickory
• pecan
• mockernut hickory
• Carolina silverbell
• sassafras
• American basswood
• red maple
• cherry bark oak
• American persimmon

Understory

Small trees that are by definition less than 25'

• serviceberry
• fringetree
• red buckeye
• southern catalpa
• chalk maple
• pawpaw

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we invite you to learn more about several local plants and their traditional uses by the Cherokee people of past and present.

Common name: Pink lady’s slipper or moccasin flower
Scientific name: Cypripedium acaule
Cherokee name: gŭgwĕ′-ulasu′la

This wildflower is actually a species of orchid. Its common name comes from the flower pouch’s appearance resembling a shoe or moccasin traditionally worn by Native Americans (ulasúla meaning slipper in Cherokee). It grows about a foot tall and flowers in early summer. Parts of the plant have been used by Cherokee people to soothe stomach cramps, nervousness, toothaches, and to treat kidney issues and high fevers.

Common name: Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Scientific name: Arisaema triphyllum
Cherokee name: túyastĭ΄

You may find Jack-in-the-Pulpit blooming from April to June all across what is now the Eastern United States. When not flowering, it can be confused with poison ivy. Its stem, leaves, and flower are toxic, but the root of túyastĭ΄ was cooked and used as a vegetable or dough ingredient. Roots were also used in a poultice for headaches or consumed to treat kidney problems.

Common name: Mayapple
Scientific name: Podophyllum peltatum
Cherokee name: u′niskwetu′ʻgĭ

With its umbrella-shaped top, Mayapple was called u′niskwetu′ʻgĭ — “it wears a hat” — by the Cherokee. Though parts of the plant are poisonous, Mayapple rhizomes were used to treat a cough or stomachache in humans, and in a tea concoction to deter pests from recently planted corn. 

Common name: Bloodroot
Scientific name: Sanguinaria canadensis
Cherokee name: gílĭ wă΄ta 

Bloodroot is a special spring ephemeral, blooming for only a few days in late winter or early spring. Sap from the root creates a rich, red dye traditionally used for baskets, clothing, and body paint, hence the common name Bloodroot. The Cherokee would soak the plant’s roots in cold water to be used as a cough medicine, while the powdered dried root could be used as a snuff for mucus congestion. 

Common name: Joe-pye weed
Scientific name: Eutrochium spp.
Cherokee name: amditátĭ útana

On an autumn drive in the Upstate, you’re likely to spot Joe-pye weed growing on the roadside. This tall plant, often growing to 4-6 feet, blossoms in purple bursts in late August and early September. Today they might be an excellent addition to a native plant garden with moist conditions and good sunlight. Traditionally, amditátĭ útana was used as a kidney medicine and to treat fevers.

Common name: Elderberry
Scientific name: Sambucus canadensis
Cherokee name: gaksûka útana

The Cherokee used many parts of the gaksûka útana plant to treat various ailments and the berries were often used in jellies or baked into breads. Elderberry continues to be used today, commonly in syrup, to boost the immune system and treat the common cold. 

Sources

Dinkins, H. Plants of the Cherokee and their uses. Highlands, NC; Highlands Biological Station. 

Mooney, J. (1888). Myths of the Cherokee. 

Photos

Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center (LJWC) Digital Library

A reverent and symbiotic relationship with nature was historically — and continues to be today — a cornerstone of Native American cultures, including the Cherokee.

The Cherokee people, who endured forced removal from their ancestral lands, which encompassed the region that is now Upstate South Carolina and much of the Southeast, had a sacred bond with this lush and abundant land. They were stewards of the earth for thousands of years, passing down intricate knowledge of plants, their uses, and unique qualities throughout generations. Historically, plants were used not only as food and sustenance, but also for medicine, clothing, and art.

Today the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), based in the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina, continues to protect, conserve, and enhance Tribal natural resources for the benefit of the Cherokee community through its Natural Resources Program.

EBCI Natural Resources works to maintain healthy fish, wildlife, and plant populations, manage forest and aquatic habitats, protect Tribal air and water quality, assist community members with regulatory processes, promote natural resource-related recreational and subsistence opportunities, and provide educational services to the Cherokee people. You can learn more at cherokeenaturalresources.com. 

Learn more about local Cherokee history

Located in Walhalla, the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina provides a preserve for a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the Cherokee heritage of South Carolina.

More info:
cherokeemuseumsc.org
70 Short St, Walhalla, SC 29691
(864) 710-9210

The Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee, NC offers traveling exhibits and immersive experiences celebrating 13,000 years of Cherokee history. 

More info:
motcp.org
589 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 497-3481

Click here to download the guide

Improving Habitat for Grassland Birds

Research in the Upper Piedmont of South Carolina by Hall (2006) indicates that reclaimed landfills and similar land features can become suitable habitat for grassland birds with relatively little effort from managers and interested stakeholders. To help improve the suitability of these areas as grassland bird habitat, the following basic considerations and simple adjustments to existing management regimes. 
— Drew Lanham, PhD, CWB (Consulting Ornithologist)

1. Adjust mowing schedules to reduce the frequency of disturbances to avoid breeding season (April – August) disruptions. This will minimize nest destruction and mortality of ground nesting birds. Leaving strips of unmown vegetation where possible will provide some cover for wintering and migratory species. Additionally, reductions in mowing may have the added benefit of cost-savings to managing authorities, a factor that may further encourage grassland reclamation and bird conservation.
    
2. Planting bunching native warm season grasses (NWSG) will improve habitat suitability for birds with bare ground requirements. NWSG may help to provide better habitat and forage opportunities for grassland bird species. NWSG species such as broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus ), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) will likely increase occupancy opportunities for breeding and wintering grassland birds. Planting mixes of native warm season grasses have the added benefit of requiring little maintenance, fertilization, herbicidal treatment or insecticides. Most species are drought tolerant. Established root systems of warm season grasses are extensive and will also aid in minimizing soil erosion. These meadows may also serve as pollinator-rich areas where species such as Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) may proliferate.
    
3. Many species of grassland birds require elevated perches for singing, calling, or as “look out” posts for sighting competitors, mates, predators or prey. Because of the prohibition of deeply rooted woody species that might perforate landfill caps, managers might consider using tall growing native herbaceous vegetation (e.g. coneflowers, sunflowers, Joe Pye, ironweed) as perches and fence posts for installation of bluebird and swallow houses.
    
4. Grasslands are frequently overlooked and underappreciated centers of biodiversity, especially in the Southeast where few are familiar with their important ecosystem function and historic widespread occurrence. Birds in grasslands are often highly visible and charismatic, thus providing inroads for teaching field ornithology, birding and basic tenets of avian conservation.

At-a-Glance ID of Common Native Warm-Season Grasses

Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii

Habitat: Dry to moist prairies and fields
Key ID Features: 4-8' tall. Seed head usually has 3 branches giving it a turkey foot-like appearance.

Bushy Bluestem
Andropogon glomeratus

Habitat: Wet ditches or wetland edges 
Key ID Features: 2-5' tall. Full and bushy seed heads are dense and feathery, distinct from other Bluestem grasses.

Splitbeard Bluestem
Andropogon ternarius

Habitat: Dry prairies, fields and woodland edges.
Key ID Features: 2-4' tall. Distinct forked pair of silvery spikelets with no long spathe surrounding seed head.

Broomsedge
Andropogon virginicus

Habitat: Dry open or disturbed areas and roadsides. Very common.
Key ID Features: 2-5' tall. Long spathe that encloses the seed head. Bushy foliage turns gold/bronze in the late fall to winter.

Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium

Habitat: Dry prairies, fields and woodland edges.
Key ID Features: 2-4' tall. No spathe and single sparse looking seed head. Blueish fine textured foliage.

Yellow Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans

Habitat: Prairies, fields and open woodlands.
Key ID Features: 3-7' tall. Full, bushy, golden seed head. Each seed has a wiry twisted tip.

Eastern Gamagrass
Tripsacum dactyloides

Habitat: Mesic prairies and fields
Key ID Features: 3-8' tall. Seeds look like tiny kernels of corn stacked vertically on top of each other. 

Hall, Steven T., "Grasslands Birds Using Reclaimed Landfills in the Upper Piedmont of South
Carolina" (2006). Archived Theses. 3556. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/arv_theses/3556

Eastern meadowlark photo by Rick & Nora Bowers via the National Audubon Society

The benefits of safe and convenient access to parks and natural areas are well documented. Urban parks have a positive impact on not only physical health but mental health, as well as the health and vibrancy of communities as a whole. But the reality is that accessible greenspaces are not a privilege available to all, particularly communities of color and those historically and systemically underserved.

Wofford College professors Drs. Laura Barbas-Rhoden and Jen Bradham — joined by student fellows and community context experts — recently set out to evaluate the quality, location, and common uses of greenspaces within various Spartanburg communities, with a particular focus on the prevalence of high quality parks in areas with higher concentrations of Hispanic and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) residents. They layered maps, census information, and cell phone data, coupled with direct qualitative feedback from community members, to capture the full picture of greenspace equity in the City and County of Spartanburg — and shared their preliminary findings in a conversation with Upstate Forever. 

Why are inclusive green spaces so important?

Dr. Jen Bradham (JB): Studies have shown the presence and use of urban green spaces promote a wealth of health benefits, including decreased rates of stress, as well as lower blood pressure and cholesterol rates. The ongoing pandemic has also brought to light just how valuable green spaces are, as they have provided a means through which friends and family can gather during a time when social distancing and fresh air circulation are critical.

Dr. Laura Barbas-Rhoden (LBR): From a personal angle, I've experienced my parents’ caring relationship with places, like their own garden and local and state parks as something beautiful and sustaining for our family. My father is an immigrant, and some complex geopolitics separated him and his siblings from lands that were in our family’s care for generations. So it's always been clear to me how deep our connections to place can be, and how they can be both ruptured and nurtured. 

How did your academic backgrounds influence your decision to work on this greenspace equity study?

LBR: My work in public research has drawn upon my proficiency in Spanish and familiarity with cultural contexts in Central America and Mexico. This background helps me conduct inclusive qualitative research locally. 

JB: I am a quantitative ecologist primarily working in Central and South America. I research how large, tropical mammals interact with the landscape, and how those interactions may be modified with anthropogenic climate change and land use change. Unfortunately, since COVID hit, I haven't been able to go back to South America, so I transitioned to conducting more local research.

How did you decide to embark on this project?

JB: Laura brought me into Alianza Spartanburg [a social impact network comprised of collaborators that work to facilitate, encourage, and promote the inclusion of members of the Latinx community in improving quality of life in Spartanburg County], where I was able to become more involved with what was happening in our community. From this group and regular conversations with Laura, it became apparent that there may be discrepancies in access to greenspace in Spartanburg County and the way people utilize those areas. So we set out to evaluate just that. 

LBR: Jen and I share a common interest in intersectional approaches to social and environmental challenges. The 2019 study took a specific interest in inclusive placemaking with a focus on amplifying voices of Latinx residents of Spartanburg. We chose that emphasis because Latinx residents represent a significant and growing population in the county, and yet their representation in places of institutional decision making is not yet proportionate to their percentage of the population. The moment felt right to pull together a team to further local work by gathering high quality data and thinking about it together with community context experts who are advocates in and from Black and Latinx communities.

So you took both a qualitative and quantitative approach. Has this been done before with this subject?

JB: There was no research to date evaluating green space equity and access through a complementary, interdisciplinary lens that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative data. Yet, we have found through our research that if you want to tell the whole story, you really have to have both of these types of data. I'm the numbers side, and Laura makes those numbers human.

How did you each conduct your research?

LBR: We conducted 29 observations in June and July of parks located in the City and County. These were neighborhood parks, destination parks, and one “not park.” We also talked with neighborhood, grassroots, community leaders and people in parks who agreed to an interview — basically understanding people's perceptions and experiences as they share them in their own words. We then analyzed the qualitative data for emergent themes such as safety, connectivity, usage, amenities, and so forth.  

JB: While Laura’s team collected qualitative data, my team focused on quantitative data. My team assessed location and size of the parks, how much land is dedicated to green space in a zip code or in a census tract, and the quality of those green spaces. Just because the greenspace is there doesn’t mean it's high quality. 
We also looked at use of those greenspaces. We have cell phone data that tells us the degree to which people are using the greenspace — when and how often they are going. 

Did your study yield any compelling results? 

JB: Collectively, we found some pretty interesting patterns. For example, census tracts that have the highest percentage of people who identify as Hispanic are areas within the urban footprint that are completely devoid of public greenspace. So it's interesting to kind of tease out some of these patterns, and we're hopeful that this research can help direct green space development to be more equitable for these areas. It’s pretty evident that there are some serious park deserts outside of the urban footprint in the county. 

LBR: Plus, some of the parks in the urban footprint are not necessarily accessible by infrastructure people would use. The only park in a census tract with a large Hispanic population is particularly low quality, and not only that, there's a lot of old rail infrastructure in the area. Navigating that in a car is really difficult. Navigating on foot, which I had a previous research team do, is nearly impossible. You have to walk on the shoulder, and there's a lot of overgrown grass. That research team actually came back with ticks!

JB: Something kind of cool that we've seen, as someone who comes from a complete numbers side, is the power of putting numbers and stories together. 

For example, Arkwright Park is a new park, and we saw basically no use from the cell phone data. But Laura's team was actually able to go to the park and interview people there and discern that it actually gets used all the time by kids who are walking there from the neighborhood. So it makes sense it wouldn't register cell phone wise, but that park is being heavily used. We'd never have known that without both types of data. That's a really powerful tool for understanding how greenspaces are used and why they're important. That's leading to other things that we want to investigate in the future.

How will you present your findings, and what kind of impacts would you like to see from your research?

JB: The data is from the community, and we believe it belongs in the hands of the community. We make our research available Open Access on the Wofford Digital Commons, where the reports are available for free, in perpetuity, for anyone who would like them, at any time. Our students will present in academic venues, and we welcome invitations to speak with organizations, elected officials, and grassroots organizers. We're excited to see how others share the data with those in their networks. 

LBR: This study provides a way to assess our existing parks, and determine what is needed for the future. Land and water and air give us our lives, and finding ways to co-create healthful futures, collectively and equitably, is an imperative. We’re each going to engage with this work in ways that resonate with our own lives and histories, and our efforts will deepen as we find ways to be in dialogue and relationship with one another. For each action we take, we want to be living into the future we'd like to see.

Drs. Barbas-Rhoden and Bradham would like to thank student researchers Emily Arnold, Kayla Chávez, Paola Cruz, Marlen Ramírez-Alvarado, Drew Wilson, and Wade Wood; community context experts Nora Curiel-Muñoz, Angelia Edwards, Toni Sutton; and all who shared insights and data for this study.

In 2018, I fulfilled a goal when I hiked the 77-mile Foothills Trail with my husband, Neil, and our friend and neighbor, David Delahunty. My only regret was not taking the spur trail to Hilliard Falls, which is arguably one of the most elusive and remote falls in the Carolinas. These falls were named after Glenn Hilliard, one of the original founders of The Foothills Trail. I have worked with Glenn through our service on the Board of Upstate Forever, which deepened my desire to see this waterfall!

Three years later and after doing some research, I discovered that one of the trailheads to Hilliard Falls is Line Rock Gap which can be accessed via Musterground Road at Duke Energy’s Bad Creek Facility. We had been on this road a few times to hike to Lower Whitewater Falls, but never ventured as far as we needed to today. The gravel road is only open in the month of April, and from September 15 through January 2. One of my favorite resources when exploring is my “DNR Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges” map. This free map can be found at many of the State Parks in this area, and is a must for anyone wanting to discover the riches of the Gorges. Pulling out my DNR map, the trailhead at Line Rock Gap was located about six miles from Bad Creek, and on a perfectly sunny April day, the tenacious trio of Neil, David and Em set out for a memorable venture. We packed lots of water and fruit, and set off to Musterground Road in Neil’s Jeep Gladiator… and yes, you do need a 4x4 high clearance vehicle (and a keen sense of adventure!) for this quest. It is not for the faint of heart!

What a wonderful gift it was to be heading to our destination with no time limits! As we drove past Bad Creek Access, we had beautiful views off to our right of Lake Jocassee, the purest lake in South Carolina. There were “many mini” waterfalls along the way that tempted us to stop and savor. My favorite stop was about five miles in — right before we crossed The Thompson River. We strolled along a beautiful sandy bank to get a great view of the extremely “unique” bridge over the Thompson built from old boilers, drainpipes, or something of their likeness!

Crossing Whitewater and Thompson Rivers was a thrill that provided first-class views. These are two of the four mountainous rivers that feed Lake Jocassee with their beautiful, cold, clear water, providing many of us with our drinking water. If you believe, like I do, that water is our most valuable resource on the planet, this is a glorious sight!

Six miles deep into the rugged Jocassee Gorges, we pulled over to the left at Line Rock Gap and found the red gate at the trailhead. Watch carefully for the gate as it is easily missed! Here is where we set out on foot to hike the .4 mile spur trail to The Foothills Trail. Connecting with the trail felt familiar as we turned right and headed towards Horsepasture River.

As my mother says, nature is the best gardener! We especially enjoyed the blooms of the wild dogwoods and mini purple irises as we hiked. About two miles in, we found the sign pointing us to our final destination — the 50-foot spectacular waterfall that is Hilliard Falls! I was struck by the solitude and peacefulness of the pools beneath the falls that flow into Bearcamp Creek. The water temperature was a cool 58 degrees (yes, I carry a water thermometer in my backpack!) which made me think how refreshing it would feel in the heat of the summer. Mission accomplished! Was it worth the wait? Absolutely! And just like that, it was time to head back.

On the hike out, we ran into some thru-hikers from North Carolina looking for some guidance on campsites. There is such camaraderie on the trail and I was happy for the five-minute rest as we stopped to chat with them. A gentle rain cooled us off, reminding me that we were in the only temperate rain forest east of the Rockies. In all, the round-trip hike was 4.4 miles. There was a good bit of elevation but nothing that our easy and steady pace couldn’t handle.

Reflecting on the day, I continue to be thankful for the visionaries who preserved this area and who continue to work tirelessly to protect this special, special place in our state and our country. There is much work to be done, and the time is now! Please get out and enjoy the outdoors — and let me tag along!

The Jocassee Journal is SCDNR's twice-yearly publication about the wild and remarkable Jocassee Gorges. Click here to read a PDF of the Spring/Summer 2021 issue.

Did you know that more than 30% of the waste Americans throw away could actually be composted instead? Composting your own food and compostable household waste is a fantastic way to keep these materials out of landfills, where they take up space and release greenhouse gases, while creating a healthy, rich supplement for your garden and landscaping.

If you want to start composting but aren't sure where to begin, Danielle Parks, Sustainability Coordinator at Sustaining Way, breaks down what you need to know below. Thanks, Danielle!

Click here to view or download this information as a PDF

Compost is an organic material that can be added to soil to improve soil's quality and help plants grow.

The three basic ingredients of healthy compost are:

1. Browns: carbon-rich materials, such as dead leaves, branches, and twigs.
2. Greens: nitrogen-rich materials, such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds.
3. Water: moisture helps break down the organic matter.

What to compost:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Eggshells
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Tea bags
• Nut shells 
• Shredded newspaper, cardboard and paper
• Yard trimmings, hay, straw, leaves, and grass clippings
• Sawdust and wood chips
• Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
• Cotton and wool rag
• Hair and fur
• Fireplace ashes
• Houseplants

What not to compost:

• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
• Coal or charcoal ash
• Dairy products (butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) or eggs
• Diseased or insect-ridden plants
• Fats, grease, lard, or oils
• Meat or fish bones and scraps
• Pet waste
• Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides

Composting at Home

Backyard composting:

• Select a dry, shady spot near a water source for your compost pile or bin
• Add brown and green materials as they are collected, making sure larger pieces are chopped or shredded
• Moisten dry materials as they are added
• Once your compost pile is established, mix grass clippings and green waste into the pile and bury fruit and vegetable waste under 10 inches of compost material

Indoor composting:

• A closed-composting system will work best for indoors
• A properly managed indoor compost bin will not attract pests or rodents and will not smell bad. Your compost should be ready in two to five weeks.

Primary macronutrients used by plants

Nitrogen (N): plant development
Found in chlorophyll, nucleic acids and amino acids; component of protein and enzymes

Phosphorus (P): root development
An essential component of DNA, RNA, and phospholipids, which play critical roles in cell membranes; also plays a major role in the energy system (ATP) of plants

Potassium (K): resistance to disease
Plays a major role in the metabolism of the plant, and is involved in photosynthesis, drought tolerance, improved winter hardiness and protein synthesis

If soil is low in nitrogen
Action: plant a nitrogen-fixing crop, such as a legume (e.g. beans, peanuts, peas, white clover)
Note: if planting an edible crop (e.g. peanuts) consider green mulching after harvesting. This involves placing the crop on the ground and letting it decompose. No more work required.

If soil is low in phosphorus
Action: use animal manures (e.g. chicken, pig, horse)
Note: bury it in the ground and wait at least 120 days before planting in the area. Avoid planting vegetables planned to be eaten raw in areas where pig manure is placed.

If soil is low in potassium
Action: make a fertilizer or compost tea from banana, leafy greens, onions, potato, sweet potato.

Benefits

• Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests
• Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
• Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material
• Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint

Click here to view or download this information as a PDF

Sustaining Way, a 501(c)3 formed in January 2012, is an interfaith non-profit that uses education, collaboration and advocacy to create sustainable, caring and equitable communities for current and future generations. Sustaining Way uses a unique community-based approach to sustainability through its demonstration site Annie’s House, just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail in the historic Nicholtown community of Greenville, SC.

For their work to cultivate a thriving, sustainable, and equitable environment in Greenville’s Nicholtown and surrounding communities, Sustaining Way is the recipient of the 2021 Environmental Equity and Justice Award.

When I want a certain kind of high, I head to Caesars Head. I’m almost on top of the known world up here — at least as far as South Carolinians are concerned. At 3,215 feet, I'm a bird-watching god, lording over everything sprawled out in the valley below and Piedmont beyond. Escaping work or some other responsibility, I'm finally here!

Quickly unstrapping my seat belt, strapping on binoculars and camera, I step out of the truck and reset the gyroscope in my head after having wound up and around hairpin curves and switchbacks climbing from the Oolenoy Valley floor from Highway 11. My cell phone is in my pocket but it's for photos I'll post on social media later. Maybe I'll use it to jot a poem on as I consider my place in it all. I switch on airplane mode; I don't want to be in touch with anyone but myself up here. There are bars showing contact might be possible, but I am decisively introverted. I want to be left alone to be with other beings with no agenda other than being.

The meeting up here will be a zoom of a different sort far away from lower elevation reality. Here, or in other spaces with wildness close at hand and heart, I am not virtually apparent, I'm fully me.

The short walk from the parking lot puts me quickly on a stage that has few equals in the Palmetto State. A turkey vulture floats by on upswept "veed" wings. It is a bald-headed welcoming party of one, cruising by as if dangled from a cloud. It banks — rocks and rolls — riding the warm updrafts of thermals rising from the valley floor. The solo greeting grows in short order by several others, as birds I called "buzzards” as a child and tried to entice by playing dead to eyepecking proximity, rise to my occasion.

Along with the carrion eaters, a red-tailed hawk appears. Its rusty tail, not always seen from the lower elevations of mortal living, is a signpost I can make out from above. Soon a half dozen birds are soaring round about in a loose circling flock — a kettle. It simmers in sunlight; wind stirs the pot. My head is on a swivel for the arrow-shot form of a peregrine falcon. They breed here and are like meteors when they appear. In summer, the persistent songs of red-eyed vireos and a chorus of other songbirds — tanagers, warblers, thrushes — rise up to ring sweetly in my ears and rub the bellies of the soarers.

I stand on bare rock, feet firmly planted and gravity bound, but I feel as though I am about to ascend with the buteos in the midst of it all. It is dizzying in a not-so dangerous way to be on the edge of so much that broadens one's soul beyond human being, to think highly of wildness and what nature means to us all — not just the lofty winged and feathered, but furry-clawed, swimming-finned, slimy hidden-under-log, coiled tongue-flicking things — and two-legged thin-skinned interlopers come to find breathing room, like me.

Caesars Head is to a Midlands-born, Edgefield Piedmont rolling hills man, a promontory from which to stand on top of the Upstate South Carolina world and see whatever gods there are, evolution and humanity has both wrought — and wrecked.

On a clear day, there are vistas to take in that though not oxygenstarved by height, can yet steal a breath or two. The timber-stiff-haired hogbacks and bare faces of other mountains; the glassy calm of humancreated lakes fed by wild creeks that once knew the flash of brook trout. The creases and folds of cove and slope, hollers and hills, lie beneath view. There are grassy pastures lain to hay. There are the blacksnake ribbons of road cutting through it all; the glint of sun off of asphalt shingles on houses — more big now, than small. "Infrastructure" to make life for people easier spoils what was.

But yet, so much of my eyes fall upon the trees still outnumbering what any form of "progress" by development has brought. From bare-boned winter seasons looking down upon the skeletons of hardwoods, clotted with spots and veins of evergreen pines and the sickly hemlocks that remain, to spring's new greening and emergence of verdant hues through summer's hot humid jungle flush to autumn's senescent coloring, brushing maples to red, oaks to russet; gilding hickory yellow and leaving beech brown to hang on, I look out upon the backs of soaring redtail hawks and croaking ravens floating over what's been made better by considering nature as essential enough to fight for.

I often design these trips for my infusion of wild during the times I know others might not be able to get away. I am selfish sometimes in wanting what we all own in the ways of public land for myself. Even those critical cogs of private land that link state, federal or county patchwork properties together, become my heart-deeded possessions as I stand in awe looking outward, wondering what the Cherokee thought and saw standing where I do.

Then my mind comes forward to those following the First Nations, poor settlers looking for livable land; then curious naturalists seeking to find what western science had not described. Who were the people not native or white who first climbed up here to have freedom inspired? I think lots now about the folks with more money to burn than I'll ever make and disposable time to sidled up next to fat bank accounts, hard after buying up pieces of paradise to call their own — then lock the gates behind them.

And now there’s me, a Black bird-loving man, with red clay hills and plowed up furrows as childhood mountains, now lit on a Southern Appalachian high. These connections to this place are constantly on my mind.

I watch the circling birds drift on and wonder too, what thoughts they have. A raven croaks and I take it as good omen — one Black being to another. I whistle in poor imitation of a wood thrush who slings a song from somewhere far below. My high is a buzz of bees humming. Sourwood is blooming. A coral honeysuckle is a nectar dripping string of jewels.

I breathe deep. Hold it all in, close my eyes and see more from up here than I can see from almost anywhere else. I exhale and am fully present in this place. The Upcountry — Upstate Piedmont and sliver of mountain escarpment the first people called the "Blue Wall," is as much nurturing home place to me now as my Midland Clay country was in raising me. I'm happiest to be in it. Proud to fight for its wildness.

What was once foreboding "Dark Corner," I hope to enlighten by conservation and inclusive culture, to more enlightened and loving place. I am wanting more like me, to be selfish enough heartwise, to want others to care enough to do the same so we can share it, for those yet to come.

Dr. Drew Lanham is a wildlife ecologist, birder, writer, Alumni Distinguished Professor at Clemson University, and recipient of Upstate Forever's 2021 Tommy Wyche Land Conservation Champion Award.

Photo of Caesars Head view by Morgan Yelton

Trillium Trail, Nine Times Preserve
The Nature Conservancy’s Nine Times Preserve is the “wildflower showcase of the Southern Blue Ridge,” and this short (0.25-mile) trail offers spectacular views of trillium and other spring ephemerals along the Eastatoe Creek. If you’re seeking more of a challenge, two other trails are accessible in the Preserve, where you may see more of the 134 species of native wildflowers that bloom here, as well as black bear, peregrine falcons, and freshwater trout.

Nine Times Preserve
1750 East Preston McDaniel Road (Approximate address)
Pickens, SC 29671

Find additional trail details here at SCTrails.net and additional information here from TNC.

Station Cove Falls Trail, Oconee Station State Historic Site
Another quick and easy hike will offer the best of both worlds: Waterfall and wildflowers. This 30-minute walk will take you to Station Cove Falls, a stepped 60-foot waterfall in Oconee County and you may see trillium, mayapple, pink lady’s slipper orchids, bloodroot, and redbud along the way.

Oconee Station State Historic Site
500 Oconee Station Road
Walhalla, SC 29691

Find additional information here at SouthCarolinaParks.com.

Natural Heritage Garden Trail, South Carolina Botanical Garden
The trails winding through the Natural Heritage Garden in Clemson’s South Carolina Botanical Garden offer an exhilarating experience — here you can traverse 11 unique ecosystems found within the state, all within yards of each other. In early spring, you can find the rare Oconee bells, flame azaleas, and trillium blooming in the Cove Forest. Farther along the trail, in the Basic Mesic Forest, you can find the captivating Dutchman’s breeches.

South Carolina Botanical Garden
150 Discovery Lane
Clemson, SC 29634

Find additional information here on the SC Botanical Garden website.

Chau Ram County Park
The whole family can enjoy the falls at Chau Ram County Park in Westminster. A 40-foot waterfall cascading over large boulders as the Ramsey Creek flows into the Chauga River is handicap accessible, and there are five more waterfalls accessible by crossing the 175-foot pedestrian suspension bridge over the Chauga River and various hiking trails within the park.

There’s more recreation to come to Chau Ram County Park, too. In 2019, the size of the park more than doubled thanks to a grant from the South Carolina Conservation Bank to Naturaland Trust and a $230,000 investment from Oconee County. The property will be protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement held by Upstate Forever. Read more here

Chau Ram County Park
1220 Chau Ram Park Road
Westminster, SC 29693

Find additional information here at ExperienceOconee.com.
Above photo by Mac Stone

Wattacoo Lake Loop, Ashmore Heritage Preserve
If you time your visit just right, the Ashmore Heritage Preserve Trail in northern Greenville County delivers a great reward in late spring: a sighting of the carnivorous Mountain Sweet Pitcherplant. This 1.5-mile trail is easily accessible off Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway 11 and you may spot other rare plants and wildlife, including orchids, sundew (another carnivorous plant), and various ferns.

Ashmore Heritage Preserve
45 Persimmon Ridge Road 
Cleveland, SC 29635

Find additional information here from SCDNR or here from Brenda J. Wiley.
Above photo by JK Marlow

As you embark on these spring treks, remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen and leave no trace. Especially when viewing delicate and endangered plants, please tread lightly and respect the plants and habitats. Happy trails!

Just after the turn of the 20th century, Black agriculture was at its peak in America. While the eras of Emancipation and Reconstruction were still recent history, African Americans — largely formerly enslaved people and their descendants — had acquired as much as 14 million acres of land across the United States.

Just a century later, however, that number had dwindled. 90 percent of the land amassed by Black farmers across the country had been lost¹. According to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Census, completed in 2017, Black farmers account for less than 7% of agricultural producers in South Carolina². By Upstate county, that percentage varies from as little as 0.5% (Pickens³) to 6.9% (Greenwood⁴). 

The reasons for this steep decline in Black land ownership vary. Of course, the overall decrease in small scale agriculture over the past 150 years is a contributing cause, as is the Great Migration, during which millions of African Americans left the rural South for opportunities in the North, Midwest, and American West.

Black farmers faced discrimination

But more sinister factors were also at play. Discriminatory federal policies and financial lending practices are well documented. Black farmers were often denied access to USDA programs managed by locally elected boards⁵. 

In addition to systemic institutional discrimination, African American landowners faced the lasting pervasive racism of many of their neighbors in the South. In some cases, this resulted in the forceful, violent taking of their land, as was the case with Anthony Crawford, a formerly enslaved man who owned a 427-acre cotton farm in Abbeville. 

“Crawford’s prosperity had made him a target,” wrote the Associated Press in a 2001 article about Crawford’s lynching⁶. For telling a white mercantile clerk he had received a better offer than the 85 cents a pound for his cottonseed the clerk offered, Crawford was arrested for “cursing a white man.” He was released on bail, only to be accosted by a mob who beat and stabbed him before being carried to jail again, where a deputy reportedly gave the keys to Crawford’s cell to members of the mob. He was dragged through the town and hanged. No one was ever tried for Anthony Crawford’s murder, and his lynching led to hundreds of Black residents, including some of the Crawfords, fleeing Abbeville. His children who inherited the farm eventually lost it when they couldn’t pay off a $2,000 balance on a bank loan. A white man purchased the 400+ acre farm for just $504 at an auction, although it had been assessed at $20,000 according to land records.

The leading cause of Black land loss

Freedmen and their descendants often lacked birth certificates and legal documents, as well as access to the legal system, necessary to create wills or estate plans. In this case, the land becomes heirs’ property, fractionally owned by a web of as many as dozens of descendants of the original owner. 

The complex issue of heirs’ property is considered the greatest contributor to involuntary African American land loss. Heirs’ property comprises approximately 3.5 million acres across the South, more than a third of Southern Black-owned land, valued at more than $28 billion⁷.

Without an official title or deed, families who have lived on a property for generations can suddenly find themselves forced into a partition sale by a distant relative, faced with costly legal fees to attempt to resolve ownership, or have their land sold at auction to a speculator or developer. It should also be noted that farms on heirs’ property have historically not been eligible for programs through the USDA, though the 2018 Farm Bill has provided opportunities to establish a farm number to secure access to USDA loans, assistance, and other programs⁸. 

Black Upstate farmers, then and now

Despite facing these myriad hurdles, some families have managed to maintain ownership of their land over the past century. 

Margaret Harrison is a local farmer, newly elected Commissioner for the Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District, and member of the Upstate Forever Board of Directors. Her husband, Bryant, is the latest among several generations of farmers.

“Until my husband was born, his family was sharecroppers,” Margaret shared during a recent conversation. “His father purchased 100-and-some acres of land in the 1950s and Bryant grew up as a farm boy picking cotton and tobacco. He grew up hard, with 14 children in his family. Most of his siblings don’t farm now. They didn’t want to do it anymore because they knew how hard it is. They all had to work as kids growing up on the farm and often had to miss days of school to work. They wanted to get jobs and get married when they grew up. I think that’s why we didn’t see many farmers like us back then. They weren’t making any money.”

But Bryant stuck with it. In the 1970s, he purchased acreage adjoining his family’s in southern Greenville County. 

While Bryant’s family made the climb from sharecroppers to landowners, Margaret shared a story of her relatives who had struggled to keep hold of their land.

“My father’s father owned quite a bit of property in Berea. Before the Great Depression, he probably had about 100 acres, but when the Depression came along, he wasn’t able to pay his loans. The bank started taking all of his property.

His wife had been raised by a white family and she got up enough nerve to ask them to loan them money so her husband could save their farm. They made a deal with her to sell it to her, but made them agree her husband could never have his name on the deed. They were only able to purchase about 40 of the original 100 acres in the end.”

Margaret and Bryant’s daughter had the idea about a decade ago that they should start selling their produce together at the farmers market. After a 35-year career as a lab technician, Margaret donned a straw hat and started getting her hands dirty, harvesting and selling watermelon, corn, squash, collards, sweet potatoes — just about everything — from H & G Produce (for Harrison and Greggs, their daughter’s last name) at markets and Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery in Greenville. 

“A man one time at work asked me, ‘why did your husband buy so much land?’ I said, because he wanted to,” she said. “I knew if I was white, he wouldn’t have asked me the same question. I’m glad to see that things have changed, are changing.”

Things are changing

The previously untold — or perhaps, unlistened to — struggles of Black farmers and landowners in the South are becoming more widely known. Their stories are being shared on social media and by neighbors, and news media are illuminating a previously unreported on topic. 

Nonprofit organizations and coalitions like the Lowcountry’s Center for Heirs Property Preservation and SC Black Farmers are working tirelessly to help heirs’ property owners resolve disputes and support African American farmers in South Carolina.

Legislators are also working at the state and federal levels to invest in Black farmers. Berkeley County Representative J.A. Moore has introduced South Carolina House Bill 3543, the “Black Farmer Restoration Program,” that aims to create a fund to purchase farmland and grant it to eligible individuals and provide agricultural training. H.3543 is currently with the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.

At the federal level, the 2018 Farm Bill contained a provision to assist heirs’ property owners get farm loans, take advantage of federal programs previously unavailable to them, and receive assistance in resolving land ownership disputes⁹. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina co-sponsored the heirs’ property language in the bill. Late last year, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey introduced United States Senate Bill 4929, the “Justice for Black Farmers Act of 2020,” that as proposed would end discrimination within the USDA, expand upon funding for the 2018 Farm Bill’s heirs’ property programs, establish a USDA grant of up to 160 acres to existing and aspiring Black farmers, and more.

Update: The American Rescue Plan Act passed in March 2021, the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package, includes the $5 billion Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act. It's been referred to as "the most significant legislation for Black farmers since Civil Rights Act," and includes direct payments to Black farmers, 100% USDA debt relief, and sets aside $1 billion to tackle systemic racism at the USDA.

Land conservation has also emerged as a solution to existing Black landowners with the goal of preventing land loss. Voluntary conservation easements are agreements between a landowner and qualified land trust, such as Upstate Forever, which permanently protect land from future residential subdivision, commercial or industrial development, even if the property changes owners, while allowing traditional land uses such as farming or timber. Landowners that protect their land through a conservation easement often receive significant tax benefits, as well.

Why Black land ownership matters

It’s been said that a rising tide lifts all boats. Empowering more African Americans to own and farm land would benefit surrounding communities by strengthening local economies, building more resilient communities, contributing to robust local food systems, and helping to reduce suburban sprawl in rural areas.

Plus, in the words of Margaret Harrison, “There won’t be any more land made. The question is, ‘what do we do with what we have now?’”

Megan Burton is the Communications Coordinator for Upstate Forever. You can contact her at mburton@upstateforever.org.

Photos by Morgan Yelton

Sources:

1. Modern Farmer: How Did African-American Farmers Lose 90 percent of Their Land?
2. 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture State Profile: South Carolina
3. 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture County Profile: Pickens
4. 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture County Profile: Greenwood
5. PBS News Hour: How southern black farmers were forced from their land, and their heritage
6. AP: Landownership made blacks targets of violence and murder
7. ProPublica: Their Family Bought Land One Generation After Slavery. The Reels Brothers Spent Eight Years in Jail for Refusing to Leave It.
8. USDA: Heirs’ Property Landowners
9. Post and Courier: How the 2018 farm bill affects SC: legal hemp, heirs’ property help, food stamps and more

Patrick, whose family owns a farm just down the street from the Culbertsons, had never heard of a conservation easement before. Eventually, he heard that his neighbors were permanently protecting their property as he knew that their area of Laurens County was in deep need of land protection. He wanted to hear more about this option for land conservation. Patrick saw farmland increasingly being turned into development properties. "Somehow we got talking about native grasses," says Patrick, "and that got me interested in putting my own property into a conservation easement." Thus, the partnership began.

After Chad's family granted the conservation easement, Chad started to think of ways that he could make money while supporting conservation values like protecting water and soil quality — the reasons they protected the property in the first place. Hay production and grazing stood out to him. When Chad discovered that native grasses made good hay for grazing, and also made soil healthier, he knew he'd found a solution. 

"The thing that people really make a mistake on," says Chad, "is they think they are farming beans or corn or wheat or cattle, but what they are really farming is soil and they don't know it."

Soon after, Chad and Patrick developed a business partnership. Patrick grazes his Hereford cows on the Culbertson's land and Chad introduces native grasses to the system. 

Chad and Patrick have observed that years of soil depletion from modern farming methods can be reversed through planting native grasses and cattle grazing. Cattle and native grasses go hand and hand with soil health.

"The cattle are almost like a probiotic for the soil," says Patrick. "They inoculate it with their saliva, urine, and feces, and they feed the soil by trampling stuff."

While building up soil and diversifying native grass species, the land also begins to build an incredibly resilient network of root systems that prove vital for farmers during periods of drought. Native grasses increase surface area, allowing water to be taken up when needed.

On Patrick's family farm — Pompey's Rest Farm — the soil carbon content has doubled, leading to about 5-6 tons per acre as a result of keeping their cows on a rotational grazing system and planting cover crops.

Though Bermudagrass remains one of the more popular non-native grasses for grazing livestock, farmers may instead want to introduce native grasses into the system. Chad discovered that although Bermudagrass may have a deep root system, native grasses' root systems are denser.

The size of the root mass enables the roots to store more water than their non-native counterparts. More roots create more surface area to tap into ground water during times of drought. Chad has even found that reintroduction of native grasses on pasture has made springs flow again. A similar occurence happened in places like the Texas Hill Country where residents have replaced Juniper and planted native grasses instead.

Patrick is already seeing savings in reduced fertilizer expense and a reduced need for water during periods of drought.

The partnership has been a great way for Chad and Patrick to offset the pitfalls that are inevitable in any farming operation. "There's leaks in the financials of an agricultural system, and when you can partner with somebody else the leaks are shared. Neither one of you absorbs all of it," says Chad. It works out well in the short term as well as the long term.

Patrick and Chad focus their passion of farming on the soil, rather than the marketed product. This rethinking of how to manage grazing lands was motivated by farming with conservation values at the forefront. Although they value putting the ecology of the pasture above market demands, they also happened to create a more resilient environment to create greater products. They have also discovered that they can meet those demands with fewer inputs and greater ease. They are building an insurance policy into the soil.

Sometimes it's just as simple as a change of mindset. As Chad puts it, "A lot of times there's tiny little changes in things you do. They're not enormous wholesale practice differences, it's just as simple as remembering an end result that is based on soil rather than product." 

Want to introduce native grasses to your grazing system? Here are a few to consider:

Gamagrass is excellent to use for hay production. This is a tall, perennial, warm-season grass that can be harvested more than once during the growing season at about six-week intervals.

Indiangrass is a great choice for providing habitat to wildlife as well as for livestock forage. This is a tall, perennial, warm-season grass. It provides habitat for wildlife as well as brood-rearing areas for quail and other birds.

Switchgrass grows 3-8 feet tall. During the late spring and early fall, it produces heavy growth. It produces heavy growth and is perhaps the most valuable native grass as it is adaptable to a wide range of sites.

John Lane

J. Drew Lanham (pictured right) is the Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Clemson University, as well as a widely published author and award-nominated poet. He writes about his experience as a birder, hunter, and wild wandering soul. He is a member of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, South Carolina Audubon, Aldo Leopold Foundation, Birdnote, and the American Birding Association.

The two met in 2005, after teachers at a Vermont writing conference suggested that Drew look John up after returning to South Carolina. John and Drew began hanging out regularly — taking walks and showing up at the same events — and began a regular correspondence.

The following conversation is based on an exchange between John and Drew at a recent virtual event hosted by the Georgia Center for the Book. View the entire event recording here

Q: Pat Conroy wrote, "Geography is my wound." I know that geography and place are important to both of you and in your writing as well. Can you comment on the wound of geography?

JOHN: I think about that quote all the time. I’ve always thought that it’s almost the opposite for me; geography is my healing! It always has been; it’s where I go to be healed. Drew, where do you go with that? You and I have had a lot of discussions about this because I know you have a much more complex relationship to landscape, at times, than I do. 

DREW: One of my intellectual mentors is Aldo Leopold. He said somewhere that “we live in a world of wounds.” Well, geography is the wound I am trying to heal. Ancestral enslavement, Jim Crow — it’s hard to go across a lot of landscapes, especially in the Lowcountry, and not feel that wound. I can’t pass a field of cotton and just see it as pretty. That cotton is stained in different ways. So geography is that wound I'm trying to heal with the land. Mainly with wildness… large doses of wildness. 

Q: Racial justice, pandemic, climate change, political unrest... the trauma keeps accumulating. Poetry and the arts are a balm for the soul. Do you struggle to write under this trauma or do the emotions of the time we live in fuel your work?

DREW: You know, the trauma, I call it a "morbidly targetrich writing environment" and so there's a certain urgency to write to it. When I teach writing, I always teach about writing to tension and understanding what those tensions are. Climate change and environmental degradation is an obvious tension that I try to write to, not in terms of polar bears drowning but in not having air to breathe. But then, a knee on someone's neck also makes it impossible to breathe. For that reason, I can’t separate any of it. I write to all of that tension. John, how in this “world of wounds” do you find celebration to write about?

JOHN: I am convinced that we need stories to survive, and that the form is maybe best for me to bring together all the complexities facing us today. Throughout my whole 40-year career as a poet, I've always meant for my poems to be a tribute to attention. Attending to landscape, attending to relationships, attending to people, to plants and animals, to joy and hope.

DREW: I think that's one of the things in these conversations that we have daily, that I've learned and I've taken, sort of a tribute to attention.

JOHN: I hope we come out of this thing better people. That we figure out some of these multiple traumas. We’ve got to come through it. It’s so easy to get caught up in personal or economic expectations for what makes up the Good Life. With climate change underway, it’s really important to have an organization like UF looking at the bigger, broader regional picture.

DREW: My hope is for a new normal that is greener, more just, more equitable, and more healthy. That is my hope.

Now I’ve been working with glass for nearly three decades. My family has lived in other parts of the country, in North Carolina and Mississippi, before moving back home to Greenville. But I feel so inspired by this setting. Driving into the Upstate you feel it. You can feel the soul of the place. 

I wake up at the crack of dawn and head to my workshop. I thoroughly enjoy the morning because I love watching the sunrise, seeing my neighborhood owls and hawks, and listening to the creek that runs right beside my home. I’m very lucky to have nature surrounding me. I’m inspired by it every day. 

When I’m creating stained glass, everything I do functions within light. The feeling I want you to get — and I pray about it every time I enter my shop and work on a piece — is oneness with the light you see. I want you to walk in a room and feel the soul of the piece.

View more of Sherrill’s work at sherrillsartglass.com or on social media @sherrillsartglass.

My paintings have always been about freezing the drama of that fleeting moment in time. Portraying that first glimpse that aims to captivate the viewer, the way light models the subject, that compulsion to pause and look. It's my judgment that watercolor is the best medium to convey these attributes. It’s a medium that relies on confidence and conviction for its application. A strong belief of mine is that maintaining freshness and simplicity summarizes the experience and engages the viewer at a level that's unequal to none. 

Being a creative, I have always relied on nature as inspiration for my work. It started for me in my early years as a young child living and growing up along the coast of the Caribbean Sea with the backdrop of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. This helped shape my appreciation of Mother Nature, especially the resources she provided for my sensibilities and survival. It's an indebtedness I feel we should all have.

I have visited 24 countries and lived in three. Living in the Middle East was a 7-year teaching experience of desert, dunes, and no natural waterways other than the Persian Gulf. My first impression was of amazement that life could be sustained in such an arid place. My paintings took a different direction; I was able to find the beauty in this environment that was void of the lush vegetation that I was so accustomed to. Without a doubt, it demonstrated how important it was for greenery of some kind, as its absence made me yearn for it even more. At the conclusion of this adventure, I moved to Spartanburg and was surrounded by the rich and varied palette of colors and places offered within the Upstate. The Carolinas and the Upstate have countless natural resources for artistic inspiration. The Blue Ridge Mountains, gorgeous lakes, countless waterfalls, and unmatched rural stretches of green spaces combined with its seasonal weather resulted in the perfect stimuli I yearned for as an artist.

Working with diverse groups of students at local institutions was a great privilege for me and afforded me the opportunity to share the Upstate's beauty while using it as my inspiration. My commitment to teaching spans a thirty-five-year period which included 11 years in the Upstate. I can confidently say that during my tenure in the region my partner was the surrounding natural beauty. Mother Nature was the focus of many paintings exhibited and on display in several public spaces. And through their display, I received the recognition to attain professional membership in excellence to the South Carolina Watermedia Society.

Being an artist is a solitary profession in some ways and adjustment to the pandemic has challenged me. Staying home was not difficult. Yet the inability to be in galleries to connect, share, examine, sell, purchase, and enjoy our profession has made my life different. And the inability to teach on-site workshops has changed the way I do business. I am now on a pivot into the virtual world of teaching and am working on video recordings of workshop presentations that will become available on my website or on a YouTube channel in the near future.

We thrive on the ecosystem that surrounds us. It never ceases to amaze me the way people react differently to various subjects in my paintings. Invariably the reactions to my landscapes have been embraced more favorably; people love to experience that captured moment in time.

View more of Dwight’s work at dwightrose.com.

South Carolina has been my home since the 1960s when I moved here from Japan. My grandfather and father traveled here from Nagoya to build the first of many textile mills in the South. As a child shuttled back and forth, my only constant were the two trees in my respective gardens: A magnolia tree and a cherry tree.

I believe that the way we see and interpret the world is imprinted upon us as a child. Having been brought up between Japan and Greenville, the way nature is experienced and appreciated in these two cultures greatly influences and informs how I work as an artist.

Japan taught me to see the beautiful spirit residing in every tree, stone, and stream — to find beauty in the most humble and simple of things. This notion expands from nature into my art and life. From childhood, I was taught to respect and acknowledge the fleeting moment and its beauty, that only change is a certainty, and, this certainty expresses itself in my art and how I think about my art. To find the essence. To abandon preconception. To thoughtfully let go. The material — whether paper, wood, or steel — is approached with humility and an understanding of its innate properties. Paper tears. Wood rots. Steel is too heavy to lift.

I want my art to be sensitive and alert to the changes of light, shadow, growth, decay. The lifeblood of nature is where I seek energy, inspiration. Many of the traditional art forms — shodo (art of calligraphy), ikebana (art of flowers), sado (art of tea) — are each a lesson in self-restraint and deference. Their methodologies infiltrate my work and my person. To delve.  To reflect the light and shadow within. To recognize the intimate interplay in nature. The sound of wind and water, the intangible shadows of night and day. To acknowledge the beauty and reality of contradiction, opposition, and dichotomy.

A few years ago, I had an exhibition titled, “Forest Meditation.” The gallery was filled with paintings and sculptures of trees. On the floor, I placed a path of stones to give a sense of walking through the forest. In Japan, there is a practice called “Shinrin Yoku” — Forest Bathing.  It is the practice of walking or wandering mindfully in nature to recharge our senses and to reconnect with our sense of well being, a meditation through the forest. Greenville offers an enviable number of settings for this very practice. Yet, surrounded by such natural beauty we oftentimes, tend to take it for granted until we journey elsewhere.

My art has taken me to far-flung places around the globe. For five years, I lived in Bogota, Colombia. Bogota is a chaotic place, a city that is not easy. But it was there that I found my calling: My love for steel. I learned to weld with motorcycle repair guys. These guys were tough and their Spanish, rough. But they taught me basic welding. I know they were amused by my presence in their environment of dirt, grit, and grease. But I found a place, a place to create, a place to learn, and I loved their company. They never asked me what I was making — if it was art. They never asked me if I would be back the next day. We all lived in the present.

Places like this remind me how important it is to live in the present. And nature is all about being present. My art takes so much from nature.  And, being an artist is about keeping all the senses engaged and alive. Whether it be the lakes, the mountains, the quiet stream, the Upstate offers us places to look inward. Some places I return to over and over again, going deeper — a relationship made of layers of time. Greenville is one such place I return with open heart and spirit. Thank you Upstate Forever for making Greenville my “forever” place.

View more of Yuri’s work at YuriTsuzuki.com or on Instagram @YuriTsuzuki.

Moving to Greenville in 2010 felt like a breath of fresh air, and a lot of that had to do with the natural beauty found in the Upstate. I have never lived so close to mountains before and they truly are a magical place — by far my favorite type of landscape to be looking at, driving through, or featuring in my art. I also enjoy including farms and forests in my work. Here in Greenville, we’re never very far from rural scenery, and my husband and I take joyrides through the country so I can find inspiration and take reference photos of cool old barns or fields full of crops to use for future felted landscapes.

I’m very inspired by nature. I enjoy hiking and taking daytrips all over the state and often times these new sights and scenes lead to a felted landscape, or even a series. Almost all of my felted landscapes feature scenes from the Southeast, from the mountains for the Upstate, to the irregular patterns in the Lowcountry marshes, and the textures of the Midlands. I use my art as an excuse to go see new things, and vice versa. Finding inspiration is the easiest part of what I do — I look around, take it all in, memorize the colors, and recreate what I see in this unique medium. 

My focus for the last few years has been fiber art, particularly needle felted landscapes. These textured “paintings” are created with dyed wool roving, using only a barbed felting needle to move and attach the fiber to a piece of fabric. It’s a lot like painting — I block out the scene with base colors, then come back and layer on more wool with the needle, tapping the needle into the fiber which pulls it tighter and tighter the longer I work on it, adding shadows and details. I even blend some of my own wool colors.

View more of Sarah’s work at onceagainsam.com or on social media @OnceAgainSam.

We moved to the Upstate from Texas about 7 years ago, specifically because of the natural environment. I love Houston and miss the food and people dearly, but we were three hours from a decent nice walk, much less hiking or campgrounds. Here, I still get excited about being able to see the mountains when I-85 crests over Roper Mountain. 

Immediately my work began to change. My landscapes could once have been confused for abstract paintings of stripes because I came from such a grand flatness. But now, my works are stacks of colorful curving hills and mountains. 

Well... Until recently. Since the pandemic has started I am obsessed with still life work. Isn’t that a bit on the nose? STILL LIFE. It's not that we don't get out. Like everyone else, we are scouring the All Trails app for lightly trafficked trails to head out to on weekends. But bringing home those big skies and valleys for inspiration to paint by just feels like a mockery of the moment. So lately it's lemons and cherries and peaches sitting on intricately patterned bowls and fabrics. Its tiny handheld bits of nature and the outside. The more detail the better. I can be hypnotized into another world. And hopefully I share that with the viewer. 

It's the sharing that makes it art for me. Most of my work is quite small, so I see them as postcards from a certain time, place, and feeling. My work is about stealing sensations, or “borrowing” in the Robin Hood sense of the word. I think we all leave bits of ourselves with places and things. And I try to pick them up and share them. I consider myself a landscape painter, but I certainly go on tangents. So maybe the truth of it is that I am a painter of places. And sometimes those places are lemons or people. 

View more of Jessica’s work at fieldart.work or on Instagram @fieldart.

I moved to the Upstate about 30 years ago to discover more about my Cherokee heritage. I will stay here for the rest of my life.

I came here to find the elders and they have taught me the stories, culture, and traditions of our ancestors. I have been weaving with longleaf pine needles now for more than four decades. I came here to get those, too, but when I went into the forest to get the pine needles, I found kudzu.

Kudzu is an amazing thing. It doesn’t care if there is a drought. It can grow 12 inches a day. Parts of the young plants can be eaten (I use the roots in a stir fry and the leaves in a quiche like you would spinach). But when the plants become bigger is when I use them in my work. I turn them into paper in the barn in my backyard, which is constructed from bales made of kudzu. I have a loom set up and I have even woven kudzu cloth. And, of course, I weave baskets and five-foot or larger shades from kudzu. There is so much you can do with it — the possibilities are endless. It has taught me to find what you think is a nuisance, and turn it into a treasure. 

That lesson is so important, especially for kids. I teach Cherokee culture in the public school system, helping children connect to nature. It’s really important they understand that everything has a purpose, even what you think may be ugly or nasty. I teach students to weave a bird’s nest with kudzu. They come to respect birds and their habitats and nature better, and at the end of four days, the freeformed kudzu basket that they’ve made themselves will hold four jelly beans!

I believe it is so important to go outside often and immerse ourselves in nature, to get to know what is available in our backyards. If you can’t get outside every day, you’re holed up. In order to be whole, we need to be outside.

You can view more of Nancy’s work at NancyBasket.com.

Portrait of Nancy Basket courtesy of The Firefly Gathering.

After college, I moved to New Mexico and lived there for six years. New Mexico is beautiful but can be very isolating, and I started to miss the green landscape back east. My wife didn’t want to move anywhere cold and I wanted to move somewhere that didn’t have a stereotyped style of art, so with those guidelines, we found Greenville. We’ve been in the Upstate for 20 years now. It feels like home.

I love where I live, on several acres on Paris Mountain. The property has twelve acres and a gate, so there is no traffic outside my windows — just woodland, birds, a koi pond, and my three dogs running around. If you look at my work you will see much of this.

While the imagery in my art is generally subject- or object-oriented, the visual appearance of each piece is of most importance to me. I work from an aesthetic and intuitive approach rather than a conceptual one. I try not to overthink or over-plan my work. I generally do my best work when my brain is “turned off,” so to speak. I am inspired by the simplicity of idea and image addressed by genuine folk artists. I’ve always worked from life, my surroundings, and my observations.  Writers are often told to write about what they know and that is how I approach visual art. 

View more of Kent’s work at KentAmbler.com or on Instagram @KentAmblerArt.

Today, I want to share a few of the fantastic paddle trips I discovered across the Upstate. You'll find Paddle SC links with trip information and downloadable maps below. Happy paddling!

If you like safe challenges and wildlife encounters, try the Saluda River. 
This river is easygoing with a hint of flair and perfect for those wanting a bit more of an exciting challenge. One of my favorite trips starts at Dolly Cooper Park and ends in Piedmont, SC. You’ll encounter a few mild rapids, plenty of flat water, and even a heron or two if you look hard enough. Find trip details here

If you crave wide open spaces (cue The Chicks), head out to the Broad River.
My husband David and I loved the Broad River. It felt vast and exciting but still safe and convenient. We paddled from the Broad River Greenway to the Big Bay River Access and didn’t see another person the whole time. We found a cool rock outcrop to enjoy our packed lunch and saw a ton of wildlife. Find trip details here 

If you’re looking for some short-lived drama, the Pacolet River has what you want.
This is one of my favorite river adventures I’ve had in the Upstate! One year for Staff Fun Day, Upstate Forever staff took a guided trip down the Pacolet from Clifton Beach to Goldmine Road and it was a thrilling adventure for my beginner-paddler-self. We encountered many rapids and had a great time maneuvering down the river. I’d do this trip again in a heartbeat! Find trip details here

If you like binge-watching 5 seasons of anything on Netflix, maybe a “park-n-paddle” is more your style.
These trips don’t require any car shuffling — simply park your car and get in the water, you’ll begin and end at the same spot! Most of these trips are flat water or reservoirs (an honorable mention this World Rivers Day!), so they’re perfect for short trips, bringing kids, and minimal effort but maximum reward. My favorite spot is Lake Robinson. It is easy to access, has plenty of amenities, and a fantastic view. Find trip details here

Wondering what you can do on your property to prevent flooding and sediment runoff into nearby waterways? Consider ways to slow the flow of water and increase the amount that goes back into the soil.

A great local resource is Carolina Clear, a Clemson Extension program that provides stormwater education, outreach, workshops, and public involvement opportunities, including a guide to managing water in the home landscape.

Clemson’s Stream Bank Repair Program is another resource for homeowners, land managers, park staff and landscape professionals looking to address erosion and instability on stream banks and riparian areas. While in-person workshops have been postponed, they are planning to host webinars this Fall/Winter and will continue to share resources through their website and newsletter.

This online interactive tool allows you to enter your address and information about your property to determine best management practices to reduce runoff. It walks you through how to figure out where stormwater is generated, how it flows, and how much stormwater comes from your property.

Lastly, this tool will help you determine the flood risk of your property and neighborhood, and will provide guidance on local solutions you can advocate for within your community.

For more information like this and to stay up-to-date with the latest news and alerts from Upstate Forever and our partners, visit upstateforever.org/email to sign up to receive the Water Log, our email newsletter dedicated to Clean Water issues.

To help demystify land-use planning, our Land Planning & Policy team is breaking down 10 core principles of smart growth and how rapidly growing Upstate communities can benefit from these embracing these concepts...

1. Mix land uses

Mixed land use is the practice of placing a balanced combination of residential, commercial, and recreational properties within close proximity. It is critical to the development of healthy, vibrant, and equitable communities. Here are just a few ways communities benefit from mixed land use: 

• Environmental
  Reducing sprawl also reduces car usage and transportation needs, in addition to preserving open space and undeveloped land. 
• Health
  Research shows that over 50% of Americans would walk and bike more than driving if given the opportunity
• Economic
  Studies show a clear connection between walkable environments and the economic viability of a town¹

2. Take advantage of compact building design

Building with a smaller footprint — growing up rather than out — preserves more greenspace and protects water resources, supports a wider variety of transportation choices, and leads to lower infrastructure costs for cities and towns.

The Upstate's current sprawling growth pattern is not fiscally or environmentally sustainable. Joe Minicozzi of Urban3 shares how utilizing compact building design can lead to more fiscally and environmentally sustainable communities in this video.

3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices

To paraphrase a resource from Strong Towns, local communities are abundant with single-family homes and clusters of high-density apartments, but this is like a forest with only two types of plants: sequoias and ferns. 

Housing types that fall somewhere between these two are often called the “missing middle” — and while there is enormous demand for housing opportunities in this category, conventional zoning regulations often prohibit missing middle housing units. Learn more about missing middle housing on our blog. 

4. Create walkable neighborhoods

Walkable neighborhoods are those within walking distance, approximately ¼ mile, of a variety of amenities — restaurants, retail shops, entertainment and/or recreational amenities — clustered together in a compact design and nested within a network of streets designed to make walking practical, safe, and convenient.

Living in a walkable neighborhood has many benefits for residents and communities. Our Land Policy Manager Sherry Barrett reflects on how her family's recent move to a walkable neighborhood in Greenville has changed her life for the better on our blog.

5. Foster distinct communities with a strong sense of place

Smart growth encourages planners to craft a vision of a unique community, set standards for development that respect and reflect the values and cultures of the people who call them home, and foster physical environments that support a more cohesive community fabric.

Just over a decade ago, Travelers Rest recognized the opportunity to rejuvenate a quiet town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Escarpment with the vision of the vibrant, active community it is today. We asked Travelers Rest Here founder Lacey Keigley to reflect on the importance of fostering a love of community. You can read her thoughts here.  

6. Preserve open space

A principle that is near and dear to Upstate Forever, protecting undeveloped land helps people, wildlife, and even economies thrive. Here are just a few of the many benefits preserving open space and critical lands offer communities: 

• Land conservation preserves wildlife habitats, protects endangered species, and improves biodiversity 
• Access to greenspace in both urban and rural settings improves physical and mental health²
• Undeveloped land near waterways protects water quality and reduces the risk of flooding
• Parks, open spaces, and working farms and forests strengthen local economies

7. Direct development toward existing communities

Infill and redevelopment in existing communities is a smart way to mitigate sprawl, especially when implemented with an eye toward improving the quality of life for existing and new residents.

Here are just 5 benefits of directing development toward existing communities:

• A stronger tax base
• Closer proximity of jobs and services
• Increased efficiency of already developed land and infrastructure
• Reduced development pressure in fringe areas
• Preservation of farmland and open space

8. Provide a variety of transportation choices

Successful planning for the Upstate must couple a multi-modal approach — embracing diverse transportation options including walking, bicycling, taking public transit, and driving — with supportive development patterns to create a variety of transportation options for all residents. 

Below are four strategies that can work collectively to provide better transportation choices in our community:

• Improve coordination between land use and transportation planning
• Increase availability of high-quality transit service
• Create redundancy, resiliency, and connectivity within road networks
• Ensure connectivity between pedestrian, bike, transit, and road facilities

9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective

In order to advocate for smart growth, it is critical to understand all perspectives and roles that shape how we accommodate growth. By understanding development from the perspective of a developer or governing body, engaged and informed citizens can better advocate for their own positions and the best interests of their communities.

There are often significant barriers for the compact, mixed-use development and missing middle housing types that embody smart growth. Here are four steps communities can take to make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective for developers in order to encourage smart growth: 

• Develop a vision for future growth
• Create processes that make decisions predictable and faster, while meeting community development objectives and protecting natural and cultural resources
• Make development processes transparent, fair, and inclusive
• Provide centralized, easily accessible information³

10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration

The needs of every growing community — and the developments necessary to address those needs — are best defined by the people who live, work, and play there. 

Citizens are often invited by their local governments to provide feedback through public meetings and workshops, but how can community engagement remain accessible and equitable in a post-COVID world? This article from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy highlights how the pandemic could change public meetings forever.

Sources:

1. The Delaware Complete Communities Toolbox
2. The Trust for Public Land
3. Coastal and Waterfront Smart Growth
 

After seventeen years in Greenville County, we chose to move to a walkable* neighborhood close to downtown. And, to quote Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken,” that has made all the difference.

For the first time in my adult life, I can walk out my front door and walk or bicycle to something! Without setting foot in a car, I can and do walk or bicycle to a wide variety of places — destinations that required me to drive or ride in a car to reach prior to our move.

In February, on a gloomy, overcast Saturday nonetheless, I took great pleasure and satisfaction in a leisurely, but purposeful, stroll to vote in the South Carolina primary elections at the West End Community Center. And yes, it is small things like this that I actually look forward to now because I can walk there so easily! 

Within a few weeks of casting my votes in the primary, COVID-19 closed down many destinations in the West End, the heart of downtown, the Village of West Greenville, and even the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail within Greenville City limits. Sticking closer to home, Richard and I planned regular escapes from our makeshift, work-at-home offices to explore the residential streets of our neighborhood with Bea. 

Since then, we’ve come to anticipate a certain rhythm along our daily walks. The rhythm of the blocks, their varying lengths and frontages, the range of home types — single family, duplex, cottage and townhomes — and how they engage passers-by like us. This rhythm is part of what propels us along our route now. Neighborhood homes are on relatively narrow lots, set fairly close to the sidewalk, with a front stoop, porch, or terrace — people coming and going, taking the trash to the curb, tending their garden or lawn, relaxing on their porch swing, or out walking their dog. Inevitably, there is interaction of the human and pet variety, even in the age of social distancing. Repeated encounters become acquaintances and casual friendships-in-the-making. The diversity of humanity — by any measure, including age, race, or income — that we encounter on daily walks is a valued characteristic of our new neighborhood.

One afternoon, we made an impromptu decision to disrupt our rhythm. On a whim, we changed up our usual route and donned our masks to visit the neighborhood variety store in search of a rare and coveted find in the era of Covid-19 – paper towels! We were elated walking home with our twin pack in tow. Another example of our newfound, simpler and more spontaneous lifestyle.

The right mix of amenities, destinations, activities, and opportunities, clustered together in a compact design, are essential aspects of the walkable neighborhood my family chose to live in. Streets designed to make walking practical, safe, and convenient for all are essential.

Our choice to move to a walkable neighborhood has helped me embrace a lifestyle I have aspired to adopt for a very long time. I am less car-dependent and more physically active in these new surroundings. I am a part of a community larger than myself, rich with lifelong residents and fellow newcomers of every age and background. As active babyboomers looking toward the future, we chose our home and its location in a walkable neighborhood as part of a long-term strategy to age in place. So here we are — and hopefully will be for years to come — gracefully aging in place. Our walkable neighborhood has made all the difference.

*By definition, a walkable neighborhood is within walking distance (approximately ¼ mile) of a variety of amenities — restaurants, retail shops, entertainment and/or recreational amenities — clustered together in a compact design and nested within a network of streets designed to make walking practical, safe, and convenient. 

Sherry Barrett is the Land Policy Manager at Upstate Forever and can be reached at sbarrett@upstateforever.org. 

Dr. John Quinn is the Henry Keith and Ellen Hard Townes Professor of Biology and Director Environmental Studies at Furman University and has worked with Upstate Forever to map and identify the most critical lands for water quality protection. 

The proud form of a solitary pine. The flowing curves of a headwater stream. Longstanding and iconic imagery with an instant appeal and a clear connection to a sense of place.

In the same way our forests are ever-shifting in structure and composition, responsive to a changing environment and demand for resources, the same gentle stream grows from a nickpoint on the ridge to a cascading waterfall. Importantly, these two elements of our shared environment, forests and water, are connected via feedbacks that benefit those of us living under their shadow and within a shared watershed. 

The benefits provided by trees and water are important to consider as we anticipate future urban and suburban growth in Upstate South Carolina. The environmental aesthetic of the Upstate is something most, if not all, of us value. We can see this value in the poetic narratives of early explorers who describe the views of Table Rock from Pumpkintown in the 1700s through the present day in the use of Paris Mountain and the French Broad River on extremely popular and instantly recognizable t-shirts from our own local silk screen company, The Landmark Project. These relational values between people and nature and between people when in nature is the focus of much of our recent research highlighting the importance of maintaining and strengthening connections with nature to add value to conservation and regional land use planning efforts.

My colleagues at Furman University and I work to capture the multiple values of nature and its contribution to people of the Upstate — both relative value and a simple dollar value. For example, our work and others have shown that a forest buffer around waterways mitigates the effects of sediment and nutrient export on water quality. These data suggest that protecting and restoring headwaters and stream corridors will have an outsized impact on water quality throughout the region.

These efforts also enhance habitat for multiple wildlife species. Focused specifically on economics, we found that Greenville residents are willing to pay over $18 per year over 10 years to support forest restoration. More narrowly, we found that homebuyers paid more for homes closer to forests, paying $4,500 less as they were further away from forest cover. Shifting to water quality, we found a parallel economic value in demand for water quality for both farmers and consumers, suggesting that these groups share a common interest. 

What is next? We need to make these values — economic and otherwise — clear to all citizens of the Upstate. We need to understand what people value in their water, forests, and grasslands and consider unique ways to collect these data. For example, a group from Minnesota used social media data to show that Minnesota residents valued clean water for recreation, spending over $20 more per trip to visit clean lakes vs. those perceived as polluted.

However, we need to be careful not to overemphasize economic metrics. Nature, including forests, Piedmont grasslands, and mountain streams, is worth more than a simple economic dollar value.

Views of the mountains as you drive through Travelers Rest, going hiking with friends and family amongst ridges and valleys, and fishing for trout in high-value streams while meditating on the beauty of the environment are all central to who we are and why we should conserve nature. 

This is the hope that we cling to as we watch the nation mourn around us and reflect on recent events and past injustices. We are saddened, horrified, and angry.

Upstate Forever’s mission is to protect the critical lands, waters, and unique character of Upstate South Carolina. Each day we work to envision a future that is healthy, vibrant, and prosperous, that offers a high quality of life now and for future generations.

However, that vision cannot become a reality for all who call the Upstate home while racial violence and systemic injustices exist in our communities and across the country.

Far too often, people of color — and particularly Black people — do not feel safe and welcome. Too often, communities of color are the first and hardest hit by environmental issues like flooding and pollution. And too often, Black voices are not included in discussions about environmental and conservation issues that affect their lives directly.

We recognize that there is more work to be done, and our small acts when multiplied with people all around the region will create a more fair and just society where we all can flourish.

Upstate Forever stands with those demanding change, and remains committed to protecting the Upstate for all, forever.

For more information on what Upstate Forever is doing to make a difference, please read our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion statement here.

As we settled into our quarantine existence, we replaced time typically spent in a car with hours exploring the Clemson Experimental Forest. The Forest is an Upstate jewel — 17,500 acres of trees, trails, and waterfalls. 

I have always cherished living so close to the Forest — regularly hiking, biking, and running its trails. My kids have kayaked, fished, and swam in Lake Issaqueena. We have gathered there with friends more times than I can count and enjoyed the quiet solitude as well. And the best part is — we can get there without even stepping foot in a car.

Sadly, many Upstate residents cannot say the same. How many people are so lucky to live so close to such a magical outdoor place? 

That thought hit home as I read an article this week that noted, “Working from home, and having safe access to nature, are privileges not available to all.”

According to the author, Juan D. Martinez, communities of color and economically challenged neighborhoods often lack access to quality greenspaces. These “equity gaps in nature access” are due in part to policies perpetuating such disparities. Martinez is the VP of Strategic Partnerships at the Children & Nature Network. 

When the Clemson Experimental Forest temporarily closed in late March due to COVID-19 I felt a true sadness — like something dear had been taken from me. To the excitement of many, the Forest recently fully re-opened. 

As I enjoyed an early morning trail run today, I was struck by the importance that places like the Forest play in our lives — especially in times of uncertainty and distress. And convinced that we all deserve such places. While I am always grateful to live so close to the Forest, it is easy to forget that not everyone is so fortunate. 

Upstate Forever works with elected officials, communities, and local stakeholders to promote smart, responsible growth. As we advocate for a more balanced approach to development, we must remember that access to clean and safe outdoor spaces for Upstate residents is a critical component of that effort.  

Lisa Hallo is the Deputy Director at Upstate Forever and can be reached at lhallo@upstateforever.org.

Water is a life source — for humans, for animals, for plants. Without water, we would cease to exist. But too often, you seem to only appreciate the vast importance of water when it becomes scarce.

As a farmer, I have learned to respect water in a way that I never put myself in that position of scarcity. If you were watering our 1/4-acre plot in a traditional way, you could be using upwards of 50-75 gallons a day in the summertime. But our garden is arranged in a way that we can maximize each rainfall — in fact, we often have an excess of water that flows from the farm straight into Swan Lake. We go to a great extent to conserve water, and our systems have become a model for campus farms for just about every university in the Southeast and beyond — even Princeton.

This is an excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2020 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Upstate Forever’s twice yearly publication. To read the entire newsletter, click here. If you’d like to be added to our mailing list to receive future issues, please email athacker@upstateforever.org. 

I was raised right there in the middle of the coal ash contamination in Southernside. When we were growing up, we were told not to play in it — but just because it made a mess. If you walked in the coal tar you were told not to walk in the house because it would get all on your clothes and your mom didn’t want that tracked through the house. We played in it anyway.

People actually ate fish out of the Reedy, too. That was our way of survival. When I was growing up, there were hogs, pigs, cows, chickens, you name it, down in that area along the river. We ate the eggs, the hogs, drank the milk from those cows — and I’m sure that all of that was contaminated, too, because they drank the water out of the tributary down there.

We didn’t know then that the coal tar was dangerous. There was no one checking on the environment at that time, especially since ours was a neighborhood of people of color in segregated times. There was no one around to tell us, “This is hazardous to your health.” Southernside was an underserved neighborhood, and our area was the dumping ground.

But now we know. There is a massive number of black people that lived in this area who have died or fought cancer that lived right in that contaminated area. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2012.

But I’ve always been vocal. It’s in my DNA to be vocal. I had many mentors that taught me how to be vocal. And I’ve been saying that mess needs to be cleaned up for some time. I want to make sure that the next generation doesn’t come up in the same environment that I did. It’s important that we make sure that the quality of life for our youth is one that is going to enhance their lifestyle and their longevity. I want the children to be healthy.

The good news is we have gotten the community’s attention. There is a new president here for Duke Energy who is adamant about working with us through SCDHEC and some other neighborhood entities to get that cleaned up. As a matter of fact, they are drilling some more wells right now in the area where I live and grew up.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and this mess didn’t happen overnight, but I have hope. I want the young people to have a chance at a brighter future and an environment that is safe and healthy. We are on our way.

This is an excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2020 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Upstate Forever’s twice yearly publication. To read the entire newsletter, click here. If you’d like to be added to our mailing list to receive future issues, please email athacker@upstateforever.org.

Photo of Mary Duckett by Will Crooks

Brooks: I remember our first sight of Lake Jocassee like it was yesterday. Kay and I came camping at Devils Fork State Park ten years ago. We were escaping yet another Florida hurricane, since we lived for many years on a barrier island in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Our first morning here I got up early, walked down to the shore of Lake Jocassee at sunrise, and literally fell to my knees. I had never seen anything, any place so beautiful in my entire life. We were living here six months later.

Kay: We found our ‘forever place’ at Lake Jocassee. First-time visitors consistently remark on how clear the water is, and it isn’t just clear… the water is also some of the cleanest in the eastern United States, fed by rivers and streams that originate in springs and travel through land largely undeveloped. When water leaves Lake Jocassee to make hydroelectric power on its way to Lake Keowee, it is about as clean as water can be. 

Brooks: Thanks to the protection the Jocassee Gorges receives, the quality of Lake Jocassee water remains excellent, and with the help of Friends of Jocassee, SC Adopt-a-Stream and organizations like Upstate Forever, we are working to keep it that way.

Kay: The Jocassee Gorges is part of the upper Savannah watershed. Somewhere between the headwaters of Jocassee and the Atlantic Ocean, the Savannah River becomes the fourth most polluted river in the country. It insults us to the core that we treat the most valuable asset on Earth like a toilet, flushing industrial pollutants downstream to become someone else’s problem. It’s outrageous. We need more protection for our water, not less.

Brooks: The practical value of water is obvious. For drinking, for irrigation, for recreation. The list is endless. It is the aesthetic qualities, the ethereal qualities, that draw me most to water. And water does not stand alone. To be magical, it requires light, and in this part of the world, the surrounding arms of mountains. My favorite part of sharing Lake Jocassee with visitors is their reactions. Joy. Wonder. Sometimes the sharing is wordless, like watching sunrise at the Grand Canyon. Lake Jocassee is our Grand Canyon, our Yosemite Valley.

This is an excerpt from the Spring/Summer 2020 issue of the Upstate Advocate, Upstate Forever’s twice yearly publication. To read the entire newsletter, click here. If you’d like to be added to our mailing list to receive future issues, please email athacker@upstateforever.org. 

Water is the single most important resource on the planet. All life as we know it — everything you’ve ever experienced — exists because of water.

And yet, here in the Upstate, it's all too easy to take clean water for granted. It's easy to forget the value of water and the immense role it plays in our daily lives. That is a dangerous mindset, especially as our region grows. 

Growth impacts our water

By 2035, our region’s population is projected to reach over 1,750,000 – an increase of 66% since 1990. The real issue, however, is how and where we are accommodating that growth. Antiquated land use policies promote sprawl and fail to protect forests, wetlands, headwater streams, lakes, and rivers. These natural assets are vital to drinking water quality, flood mitigation, outdoor recreation, and economic prosperity. 

We cannot stop the growth, but we do still have choices... for the moment. That's why it’s more important than ever to understand how development impacts water, and to work to protect our precious water resources. 

How Sprawl threatens water quality

You’ve probably noticed that the Upstate is losing large tracts of land to development. In fact, the Upstate’s paveover rate is equivalent to almost one new Haywood Mall (and its parking lots) every single day.

Sprawling development practices have serious negative effects on our water quality. Flooding, erosion, and pollution are just a few of the woes that come with paving over too many of the natural areas that filter and absorb water.

This is especially true for urban waters, which are waterways that run through densely populated areas. They take on large amounts of pollution from a variety of sources including contaminated runoff from residential, commercial, and industrial properties, trash, and untreated wastewater.

So what can we do to reduce these impacts? Fortunately, many groups in the area, including Upstate Forever, are working to safeguard our water through advocacy efforts, sprawl reduction, land management, and land protection.

Show Riparian Buffers Some Love

The best solution is to leave land next to waterways undeveloped. These areas next to rivers and streams — called "riparian buffers" — are natural powerhouses when it comes to filtering pollutants, lessening the impacts of flooding, and safeguarding our drinking water supplies.

When a riparian buffer is impaired, all is not lost! Repairing degraded and eroded streambanks and planting native vegetation helps stabilize them, and it is low cost. In collaboration with Clemson University Cooperative Extension, our Clean Water team has completed two streambank repair projects in Anderson and Greenville counties.

Our Clean Water team also works with landowners to 

protected land protects water

Strategic land protection is also a cost-effective way to protect water quality. According to a study by the Trust for Public Land, every $1 spent on land protection saves $27 on water treatment costs, because it keeps our waters clean, naturally, without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. That's a great return — on any investment.

In this part of the state, most people get their drinking water from surface water, which is essentially water from a local river or reservoir. Currently, the majority of rivers and streams carrying the Upstate's drinking water are not protected. It's essential that we work now to find strategic ways to protect our drinking water sources. 

We need your help

The effort to ensure clean, abundant water matters to us all. Here are some things you can you do as a private citizen to help safeguard our water:

• Monitor your local waterways by becoming a citizen scientist through SC’s Adopt-a-Stream program or by keeping a log of what’s happening in your local creek, river, wetland, or lake. Learn more
• Volunteer for a litter cleanup! Upstate Forever hosts volunteer fieldwork days several times a year, which typically include litter pickup, removal of invasives, and/or planting of native species. You can also visit our local partner organizations for more information on litter cleanups in your area: Friends of the Reedy River, Greer CPW, Palmetto Pride, and Lake Hartwell Partners for Clean Water.
• Tell your state representatives that water matters to your community. Our state legislators need to hear from their constituents. It doesn't have to be complicated —a quick call or email gets the message across. Find your state officials
• Tell your local elected officials too! City and County officials often set priorities based on what they hear from their constituents. If protecting green space and water quality are important issues to you, your local officials need to hear that! Consider writing them a letter, sending an email, or picking up the phone to make your voice heard. We've put together a resource to help you at upstateforever.org/local-officials.
• Pay attention to other local city and county council issues and participate when you can. Remember, many policies governing how we manage land, construction, and transportation can impact our local waterways. UF currently offers e-newsletters with updates and alerts related to Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson growth issues. Sign up for local growth updates
• Be on the lookout for alerts from UF and our partner organizations. We will let you know when action is needed on issues affecting our water resources. Follow us on social media and sign up for our water issues e-newsletter, The Water Log, at upstateforever.org/email.

Article updated August 2025

Erika Hollis is the Clean Water Director at Upstate Forever and can be reached at ehollis@upstateforever.org.

Photo by Tom Blagden
 

Good morning, everyone! My name is Raleigh West and I’m the executive director for the South Carolina Conservation Bank. 

First, thank you for having me. I spent four years in Spartanburg over at Wofford College and enjoy every opportunity I have to get back to this part of the state. 

Why should I care about conservation? That’s a question I get asked frequently. To that I respond, “Everyone cares about conservation, they just might not realize it until that one property that is near and dear to them — one that is special to them and their families, the one they thought would always be there — becomes at risk.” Then they want to do something about it. They want to try to save it. That drives them to become conservationists.

For me, that ethic bore out of a childhood experience with my father on a property off of Jedberg Road in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. It was a beautiful tract of land, about 200 acres, that had rolling sunflower fields on it and an oak-lined driveway that led to a clapboard farmhouse. It was a quintessential Lowcountry farm. 

My father leased it as a duck club. We had a lot of really special memories there, father-and-son bonding that you don’t experience in any places except for the field. One of those memories I have is of us pulling off on the side of the road on the way to school — this property was right along the highway on my way to school — and we would pull off to count the number of birds on the wire in the mornings in the fall. It was a special place for us.

Years later, when I was coming back home from Wofford College, I drove past it and didn’t recognize the place. It had been leveled. The oaks had been cut. The farmhouse had been demolished and the fields had been turned under. I remember thinking then — and it still strikes me today — I lost a little bit of my childhood when that property converted to another use. I also remember thinking, “Man, I hope this doesn’t happen to everywhere I care about.” 

It was that personal tie to the land and the visceral sense of loss that came with its conversion that drove me into a career in conservation and ultimately where I am today at the helm of the Conservation Bank. 

So what is the South Carolina Conservation Bank? We are a state agency that issues grants to groups like Upstate Forever to purchase interest in real estate for conservation purposes. Since 2002, we’ve issued $161 million worth of grants — 325 projects — that have collectively saved 335,000 acres of land. 

Here in the Upstate, some of our grants have funded iconic projects like Stumphouse Mountain, Jones Gap State Park, Lake Conestee Nature Park, Nine Times Preserve, and scenic vistas looking on to Table Rock.

One of the first points I want to make is that these grants we are issuing are not just green on a map, so to speak. These are properties that, protected in their natural state, go to the very heart of what it means to experience living in the Upstate. After all, can you imagine an Upstate without Table Rock or Stumphouse Mountain or Jones Gap State Park and many other properties that have been conserved? 

As I was reflecting on the remarks I wanted to make today, I thought I would leave you with three main points.

First, thanks to the vision of the Wyche family and others, South Carolina is a leader in conservation. When you look at the Blue Ridge Escarpment and its 100,000 acres of protected land, the Ace Basin in the Lowcountry and its 300,000 acres, these are models for how to achieve landscape-scale conservation. Other states are looking at us as an example of how to do that. They want to replicate those examples in their own states. 

We are very much a leader in conservation, but what I think is as important as the land protection outcomes is the financial efficiency with which we are carrying out that mission. For instance, last year the Conservation Bank issued $10.5 million in grants to purchase $71.4 million worth of real estate. That’s a leverage ratio of 14 cents on the dollar. 

Now, how do we do that? Through collaboration and partnership. Our state agencies like the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism work with federal agencies, local governments, nonprofits like Upstate Forever, and perhaps most importantly, landowners, to all leverage our resources so that we can secure properties that otherwise, independently, we could not. 

If you look at the landscape-scale conservation outcomes coupled with financial efficiency, South Carolina is setting the bar for conservation. Folks are looking at us as leaders — it’s a point of pride I think we should all have for South Carolina. 

Secondly, business interests and conservation go hand-in-hand. There is a myth they do not, but that is far from the truth. After all, we need good, functional communities with housing, schools, retail, and economic centers. We need functional infrastructure to get around. But I’d also argue we need access to the great outdoors — places to take family hiking and places to take your kids hunting and fishing. We need access to unspoiled landscapes and the clean water and clean air that arise out of them being protected.

In a globally competitive economy — which we have now — what’s going to separate this state and region from others is its ability to attract and retain highly specialized, highly educated workforces. And where are those workforces and businesses going to want to locate? Where there is a high quality of life. To that end, conservation and business are certainly aligned. 

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is this: The future of land use in the Upstate will be determined at the local level. Land use is a local business. County plans trump regional plans. Town annexation laws trump county plans. And ultimately it is landowners who decide what will happen to their properties. 

As I look out in this room, I see a wonderful representation of the business and civic leadership of the Upstate. It will largely be y’all in this room that determine how we grow. 

So how do we grow? I see two roads we can go down… One leads to a scary future, and it’s reflected in a word I hear more and more frequently as I travel this part of the state: Charlanta. That is the notion that Charlotte and Atlanta are going to merge as one giant megalopolis with a sea of urban sprawl that swallows up all of the towns and cities in between. When I hear the term Charlanta, I think of the DC suburbs, New Jersey turnpike, and the LA freeway. Frankly, that scares me.

But there’s another road we can go down. That road is effectively maintaining what we have and building upon it. What do I mean by that? Keeping Greenville and Spartanburg the world-class cities you have built them to be. Keeping our small towns, with their distinct cultures and distinct boundaries, surrounded by farms, the great outdoors, and all of the natural resources that we enjoy today. 

To the extent that you want to go down that second road — which, frankly, is much more appealing — the Conservation Bank will be a partner and a tool you can use to achieve that vision. 

In closing, I just offer this… It is possible that with your vision and leadership, we can have the best of both worlds. We can have thriving economic and cultural centers. We can have the great outdoors. We can have wonderful natural resources, clean air, and clean water. And maybe even dove fields that don’t disappear like the one from my childhood.

We can have it all, but that will be determined by what you decide this region will look like.

Thank you for your time, and thank you for this opportunity to speak to you today.
 

Why are wetlands worth celebrating?

Think of wetlands as a natural sponge — they catch and slow down the flow of water and slowly release it over time, which reduces flooding and erosion downstream.

Wetlands also act as natural filters by trapping sediment and removing pollutants through their dense root systems and absorbing excess nutrients through plant uptake. In this way, wetlands are like the kidneys of watersheds, vital to our health and often overlooked.

Wetlands are so effective at cleaning up pollution, in fact, that they are sometimes used to treat wastewater and they make a difference when it comes to treating our drinking water. Forested wetlands even reduce treatment costs for drinking water sources, making them a critical part of our natural water infrastructure.

Our Upstate wetlands

Here in the Upstate, wetlands provide essential habitat for unique plants, fish, and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. In the foothills, where there is some of the highest salamander diversity in the world, wetlands and ephemeral pools provide spawning habitat away from predatory fish. In Travelers Rest, rare seeps provide one of only two habitats in the world where the endangered Bunched Arrowhead grows. 

With all the benefits we enjoy from wetlands, the successful functioning of our communities is dependent on the health of our wetlands. We are all part of a watershed and it is all of our responsibility to protect it. Get to know your watershed like you know your own neighborhood.

Here are some wetlands you can visit around the Upstate: 

• Conestee Nature Preserve, Greenville 
• Bunched Arrowhead DNR Heritage Preserve, Travelers Rest
• Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve, Spartanburg
• Reedy River Wetlands Preserve at Unity Park, Greenville

Erika Hollis is the Clean Water Director at Upstate Forever and can be reached at ehollis@upstateforever.org 

• LEAVE NO TRACE
  Don’t leave trash laying around. While this should be obvious, trash from snacks, pet waste, or other items is sometimes left scattering trails. If you have trash, be sure to pick it up and take it with you to dispose of properly. If you find trash that someone else left, consider picking it up and disposing of it as well.
   
• B.Y.O.S(nacks)
  Preparing your own granola or trail mix in reusable containers is a great way to cut down on waste and save money. If you plan ahead, you can use local ingredients which even makes your efforts more beneficial for the environment by cutting down on the use of gasoline needed to transport the ingredients.
   
• DRINK RESPONSIBLY
  Millions of tons of plastic water bottles that make their way into the oceans and landfills every year. Don’t contribute to the problem. Take along water in a reusable water bottle. A BPA-free water bottle can provide years of quality use while reducing waste.
   

• PROTECT WATER SOURCES
  Water is our most used natural resource. If you need to wash dirty camping dishes, use your own water away from streams or other shared water sources. If you need to go to the bathroom, do so at least 200 feet away from water sources and dig a cat hole, making sure to cover the cat hole afterwards.

• PREVENT FOREST FIRES
  Use caution with campfires. Spending time around a fire can be fun and relaxing, but be sure you keep the fire small and safe. Make sure there is a well-built border and build your fire on a bed of rock or ashes. Ensure the fire is completely extinguished afterwards. 

• WATCH WHERE YOU CAMP
  If you plan to stay overnight, be sure to make camp in a used campsite. Pitching a tent on grass can result in long-term damage. When you use an established campsite, you are also separating yourself from wildlife that may call the forest or other habitats home.

• STAY ON THE TRAIL
  When you wander even slightly off the trail, your foot traffic can cause significant damages. Others behind you will likely see the squashed flora and follow suit, causing even more damage. This will widen the trail, cause wash-outs, and result in multiple trails covering the backcountry. 

• TAKE NOTHING BUT PHOTOS AND MEMORIES 
  Don’t take rocks or plants as mementos. Removing naturally occurring items can disturb the natural habitat and ecosystem. 

It happens to everyone at one time or another.

You hear a line in a song and you can’t get it out of your head. Or maybe you read a particularly poignant passage in a book and it just lingers in the back of your brain, sometimes for weeks or months. It could be something someone said in a casual conversation that brings a troublesome issue into sharp focus, and then it hovers in the deep recesses of your mind like an ominous storm cloud looming over the horizon.

That’s what happened to me several years ago and I can’t quit thinking about it.

We were sitting cross-legged up on top of Table Rock, that grand granite dome in the mountains of northern Pickens County, which has long been and remains one of the most prominent, most photographed and most cherished natural features in the Palmetto State.

Every time I go up there and stand on one of the exposed rock outcroppings, I am affected by a sort of ethereal feeling. There is an element of danger involved in standing on a 3,000 foot rock cliff, so it is a somewhat uneasy, yet exhilarating, feeling of being literally on top of the world, a feeling that you only get in exposed high-altitude places like that. This is what people are talking about when they refer to “sense of place.”

I was up there with my long-time friend Tommy Charles, a now-retired archeologist. We had spent the morning poking and probing around the cliffs and exposed rock outcroppings looking for ancient etchings in the stone, prehistoric petroglyphs that could well be the last vestiges of a largely unknown, undocumented people who once called this place home.

The rolling, heavily-textured, green, gray and brown patchwork lay before us like a finely detailed landscape painting by one of the grand masters, except that it was real. We could not help wonder what that same scene would have looked like back when those ebony-haired, bronze-skinned American Indians were up here pecking out their symbolic circle and oval carvings.

I told Tommy that I had been climbing Pinnacle, the adjacent mountain, for more than thirty years and it seemed that every year the signs of civilization keep creeping closer and closer to the mountain. “Over on Pinnacle,” I recall telling Tommy, “I try to get up to my favorite hunting spot before first light, right at the break of dawn.” According to family tradition, it is also the place my great-grandfather, “Big Ab” Chastain, hunted when he was a young man.

The spot up near the top of the mountain that we both chose as our favorite hunting lair is a relatively flat, boulder-strewn patch of woods enclosed by steep cliffs and ridges. I call it very simply, The Pretty Place.

Part of the appeal of standing there amidst the natural beauty of that little sanctified spot of hardwood forest is that it provides a treasured link between me and my great-grandfather, whom I never knew, but nevertheless consider a kindred spirit.

Every time I go up there, in the last predawn minutes before the glowing sun peeks up from the distant horizon casting its bold white light on the landscape, I take a moment to turn around and look through the dark woods to the East where I can see the lights in the tallest buildings in downtown Greenville, along with the twinkling street lights of the various communities, neighborhoods and housing developments of Berea, Easley, Dacusville and Pickens.

“I guess if I live long enough,” I said somewhat wistfully, “those lights will eventually be right up here at the foot of the mountain where my ancestors have been living in scattered cabins and homesteads for two hundred years. It breaks my heart.”

Tommy was surprisingly silent for a moment as if maybe he had not heard me or was thinking about something else, but then, staring straight off toward the distant horizon, he posed the question that still haunts me, “Are we just going to develop every last acre on earth?”

The reason that otherwise unremarkable question haunts me is the fact that I don’t know the answer.

And because I don’t know the answer, I have to wonder; Are there any real limits on development, the conversion of open rural spaces and wild lands into housing developments, gated communities, commercial districts and industrial sites? Who knows?

Maybe there really are no limits on growth. Maybe we really will eventually develop every last acre on earth; maybe not in my lifetime, but eventually. That prospect haunts me, scares me beyond comprehension, and drives me to distraction.

Someone please tell me that I am missing something and there are real hard and fast limits on just how much growth this planet can absorb and that there is an end point out there somewhere when we will collectively say, “Okay, that’s enough. We’ve made enough money and we enjoy a lifestyle that our ancestors could not have imagined. Why can’t we stop focusing so much on growing the economy and focus more on growing our collective quality of life? Why can’t we spend more time and effort in slowing the ever-increasing growth in the world’s population? Why can’t we learn to focus more on enjoying what we have and stop consuming more and more of everything, and gobbling up more and more wild acres and converting them into something else?”

I have looked everywhere for the definitive answer. I have scoured the scholarly journals, I have asked the experts, and I have focused the diverse knowledge attained in my lifetime toward answering this simple question; all to no avail.

Here is what I know. I know that development is directly related to growth and nothing in nature grows forever. Everything in nature has built-in limits on how much it can grow; otherwise, ants would grow to the size of skyscrapers and would rule the earth.

Sadly, however, the rules of nature don’t apply here. They tell me that continuing to grow is essential to our modern way of life. Every time the economy, here or abroad, stumbles and drops back a tenth of a point, economists start wringing their hands worrying whether people will spend more money on this Black Friday than they did last year.

I am told that we are a consumer-driven economy and we need to keep growing and producing more people to buy more stuff, so other people can make more money. If I don’t know anything else, I know for a fact that money trumps everything. Then someone will eventually come along proclaiming they have a plan to get the economy back up and growing again. This reassures the folks in green eyeshades, and we comfortably go on about our business all the while; growing and growing, and then growing some more. I see it every day, everywhere I go.

Some time ago, I was asked to go over to the local elementary school and talk to the students about urban sprawl. The teacher was having a hard time explaining the concept to ten-year-old minds. I drew a big circle on the blackboard. “This circle,” I instructed the eager students, “represents a town or a city.” I went on to explain that for 200 years, as towns and cities inevitably grew, they traditionally expanded from the center out.

Drawing another slightly larger circle just outside the first, I explained that this new circle represents the growth that used to take place from the center of the city outward, in a relatively slow and predictable way. Then I drew another circle outside that one. Like the rings in a tree, each ring represented another period of growth.

Then, some distance from the concentric circles, I drew a smaller a circle. “This is what happens now,” I advised the silent wide-eyed class, “This is urban sprawl.”

“These days the growth tends to leapfrog from the existing urban center way out into the countryside,” I instructed, “usually because someone decides to build a new school out in a rural area, typically because the local school board can’t afford the high-priced municipal land, or maybe some enterprising developer gets a good deal on a large desirable tract of farmland or wild woodland. Then the municipality is more than happy to build new roads or improve the existing ones, along with installing the required water and sewer, and to expand its corporate limits and thereby increase its tax base. Then other developers rush in to fill in the gaps back toward the core of the original municipality, taking advantage of the newly installed infrastructure and amenities in the formerly rural area.”

The point of all this was that while growth has historically been relatively slow, regular, planned and predictable, it is now rapid, episodic, largely unplanned and almost totally unpredictable. This unfortunate turn of events means that we are now gobbling up thousands of acres of farmlands and woodlands each day with little time to react, little time to do adequate planning to accommodate the new land use paradigm.

And for those of us who cherish the charming rural landscape, and the woods and wild places, our world has once again shrunk before our very eyes.

Apparently they got it. One astute young fellow, who had hunched forward and scooted to the edge of his seat, scarcely waited for me to finish speaking when he cried out, “Mr. Chastain, where are the wildlife going to live?”

Where are the wildlife going to live, indeed? And where are we humans going to go to seek solitude, to recharge our batteries, or maybe just to marvel at the wonder and splendor of the natural world, and restore our city-weary souls? Where are we going to go, indeed? And I am left wondering, are we just going to develop every last acre on earth?

Dennis Chastain is an award-winning outdoor writer, historian, tour guide and interpretive naturalist. He was also the recipient of the Extraordinary Achievement Award at the 2019 ForeverGreen Luncheon.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail has been revolutionary for the greater Greenville community since its opening in 2009.

In its fourth year, the trail pumped $6.7 million of tourism revenue into the county, according to a Furman University study. That study was only for the first 9.7 miles of trail; the network is now 28 miles long. The cumulative economic benefit to the community is easily in the tens of millions.

Not too shabby for something that cost the county $2.7 million to build.

But few people realize just how close the project came to fizzling out. If not for the heroic efforts and visionary leadership from Upstate Forever’s Founder Brad Wyche and former Board Chair Carlton Owen and many other Greenville County stakeholders, the Swamp Rabbit Trail would never have happened.

The abandoned line

For several decades, a railroad popularly known as “the Swamp Rabbit” operated from downtown Greenville to River Falls.

In 1998, Railtex, which had previously acquired the line from Greenville & Northern Railroad, ceased its operations and was preparing to put the entire line on the market. Public acquisition of the line became Upstate Forever’s very first project, and likely could not have happened without the quick actions of Brad Wyche. Brad saw it as a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Greenville community and the Upstate — a chance to acquire the entire line and turn it into a trail connecting downtown to Furman and Travelers Rest.

Vision & action

Brad and the Upstate Forever board worked with the national Rails to Trails Conservancy to place the line in the “Rail Trail Bank” to give Greenville County time to acquire it. “We were lining up private funding to acquire it ourselves if the County failed to do so,” says Brad. But the County [through the Greenville County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC)] came through and purchased it in 1999.

Acquisition was essential, but it was only the first step. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) in Washington, D.C. had to officially approve the abandonment of rail service on the line in order to convert it to a trail. The GCEDC was initially reluctant to initiate the proceedings for abandonment.

In order to help people clearly see the enormous potential of the project, Carlton Owen stepped up and organized a group of volunteers to work every Saturday throughout the summer of 2005 to clear away the kudzu, briars and bushes from almost the entire length of the line. The effort was key to building strong public support for the establishment of a trail, and soon GCEDC filed a petition for abandonment with the STB.

A hitch in the plan

Under federal law, before a rail line can be abandoned, an opportunity must be given to any interested company or person to acquire the line at fair market value and resume rail service. Sure enough, to the project leaders’ dismay, a private railroad firm in Greenville sought to buy the entire line at a nominal price and resume commercial freight service.

GCEDC and Upstate Forever strongly opposed the request and submitted appraisals showing that the line had substantial value. The STB basically agreed and established the value at over $700,000, which had to be paid by April 2006.

Down to the wire

Brad, Carlton, and others held their breath as time passed, waiting to see if the railroad firm would purchase the line. The suspense escalated the day before the deadline, when the private firm asked the STB for an extension to respond.

The STB quickly denied this extension, but the firm still had 24 hours to purchase the line and overthrow plans for a trail. All Brad, Carlton, and others could do was wait. “We were literally counting down to midnight,” says Brad.

Fortunately (for Brad, the County, and the community), the private rail firm was never heard from again. In April, 2006, the STB signed an order approving the abandonment.

Construction at last

Upstate Forever then agreed to serve as the “interim trail operator” to give GCEDC and the Greenville County Recreation District time to work out a final agreement for removing the rail lines and building the trail.

In 2007, the Greenville Health System (now Prisma Health) made a magnificent gift of $1 million for the project, and the project was officially named the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail. The trail officially opened in 2009 and the rest, as they say, is history.

'A true source of pride'

As it nears the anniversary of its first decade, the Swamp Rabbit Trail has proved to be hugely popular for both recreational users and commuters, with more than half a million users each year.

Plus, the Upstate has seen significant economic development and aesthetic improvements along almost all parts of the trail, including areas previously neglected. Travelers Rest, in particular, has been transformed into a thriving community principally because of the trail. There are now countless references to the trail in the marketing materials for various development projects.

“The trail has been a success on many levels and a true source of pride," says Ty Houck, Greenville County Director of Greenways, Natural and Historic Resources. "Communities throughout the county have noticed the economic development associated with the trail, and now they want to connect to it to become partners with this iconic community asset."

For more information, contact Lisa Hallo, Deputy Director, at lhallo@upstateforever.org

Header Photo by Mac Stone

This truly is one of the most special places on the planet—a region with spectacular natural resources and a thriving and diverse economic base.

During the last 25 years, I have watched the changes in the Upstate with a mixture of pride and dread. I have been proud to see our region wean itself from almost total dependence on the textile industry, now in serious decline, and attract such corporate luminaries as BMW, Michelin, and Fujifilm. I have been proud to see our region’s population become more diverse and to see more and better economic opportunities for minorities. I have been proud to see our major cities, mostly shuttered and abandoned in the 1960s, rebounding with vigor and becoming magnets for businesses and downtown residents.

But outside the cities, which comprise only about fifteen per cent of the Upstate’s total land area, the news is not good. Low-density residential subdivisions, grotesque commercial strip development, and massive seas of asphalt are consuming our region, fueled by an ever-expanding infrastructure of roads and water and sewer lines.

Indeed, every day in the Upstate, 65 acres of open space—forests, natural areas, wildlife habitat, pastures, farmland, and green fields—are devoured by the voracious growth machine. It is a staggering rate—about five times the rate of our region’s population growth, the equivalent of a brand new version of Greenville’s Haywood Mall every 30 hours. There is not much we can or should do about population growth in the Upstate, but there is a lot we can do about the inordinate consumption of land and the loss of important natural areas and historic sites. And there is a lot we can do about the quality of development itself.

This is what Upstate Forever is all about: the where and how issues—where our region should be growing and how land should be developed. I founded the organization in 1998 because of the urgent need for a voice in our region for a better and different way to grow—a way that conserves both land and tax dollars.

Yogi Berra said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” The Upstate is now at the fork in the road to its destiny. We do have a choice. We can become another Atlanta or we can become something different—a region that prospers both economically and environmentally.

Please join us. As a nonprofit organization, Upstate Forever cannot do its work without the support of our members. Help us make a difference. Help us keep the Upstate as one of the best places in the world. Forever.

Brad Wyche founded Upstate Forever in 1998 and continues to serve as senior advisor.

You might think it’s a simple question: “Are our Upstate rivers healthy?” But as many recent articles have shown, the answer is complicated — because water quality IS complicated. As the director of Upstate Forever’s Clean Water program, I want to help people understand the factors that impact the health of our rivers. Let’s start with the basics… what are some of the main river contaminants we look for to determine water quality, and what can you do to help prevent problems?

Nutrients

Nutrients sound like a good thing, right? And they are, except when we’re talking about streams and lakes with high nutrient levels — specifically nitrogen and phosphorus — which means that more algae can grow. This is bad for a few reasons. Algae can lead to fish kills, get stuck in boat propellers, make swimming unpleasant, interfere with industrial or agricultural use of water -- and it can make drinking water taste really bad (even though it’s perfectly safe to drink). 

What can you do?

• Reduce your fertilizer use and apply it only when appropriate — not before rain, not close to a stream/river/pond/lake.  
• Have your soil tested so you know how much fertilizer you actually need to apply. 
• Plant native plants! They’re already adapted to local conditions, so they generally need little to no fertilizer (or irrigation) to thrive. Bonus: native plants also support local bird and wildlife populations.

Sediment

Sediment is composed of soil particles. It’s basically what makes rivers look muddy. Other pollutants can easily "bind" to sediment, so when sediment levels are high, other pollutant levels will often be elevated as well. Erosion along streambanks, driveways, construction sites, and ditches is a leading cause of increased sediment in rivers. 

What can you do? 

• Improve vegetation along streams and roadside ditches to help hold the soil in place
• Reduce stormwater runoff by capturing rain in rain barrels or cisterns, reducing impervious surfaces, and diverting runoff from gutters into vegetated areas to allow it to soak into the ground.  

Bacteria

This is the big one — the primary contaminant that tends to scare people about river quality. The main offender: poop of all kinds. Whether it’s from dogs, livestock, wildlife, or sanitary sewer overflows, it all can contribute to a river that may not be safe to swim in. But it can be hard to detect and control, since it comes from a wide variety of sources and isn’t readily visible. 

What can you do?

• Dispose of ALL pet waste in a trash can.
• If you have livestock, fence them out of streams. It’s healthier for them, it reduces erosion, and it prevents them from pooping straight into streams. 
• Make sure your septic tank is properly maintained to prevent contamination of streams or lakes. 
• Resist the urge to feed geese! They produce 1-2 pounds of waste per day, and it’s higher in bacteria than other animals. 
• To further discourage geese, allow vegetation to grow higher near streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. Better riparian buffers (which is what streamside areas are called) also help filter pollutants out of stormwater and prevent streambank erosion.  
• Call sewer utilities immediately if you notice a sanitary sewer overflow or leaking pipe. 

Litter

Trash and debris are unsightly, pollute our water, reduce our enjoyment of rivers and lakes and harm the organisms that live there. Whether it starts out along a road or in a yard, at some point rainwater will carry litter into a stream.  Some items, like styrofoam and plastic, last almost forever and will eventually make their way into the ocean. But even natural debris, including yard waste, can degrade water quality and cause flooding if it clogs a storm drain or culvert.  

What can you do?

• Make sure all of your trash ends up in a trash can.  
• Pick up litter wherever you see it.  
• Don’t pile your yard waste near a storm drain or in the street gutter. Composting can be a great solution and increase the health of your soil.

The Upstate is full of amazing streams and rivers; with a little help from each of you, we can be sure to pass along clean water to future generations!  

Erika Hollis is the Clean Water Director at Upstate Forever and can be reached at ehollis@upstateforever.org.