The Upstate Update: March 2024

In honor of Women's History Month, we invite you to meet six remarkable women that have taken on a challenging issue or task related to conservation, community vibrancy, or advocacy (or all three!) in the Upstate. These remarkable, driven women — first featured in the 2022 edition of the Upstate Advocate — have persevered and achieved remarkable things for their communities and our region. 

P.S. We are working on the upcoming issue of Upstate Forever's biannual publication, the Upstate Advocate. If you're not on our mailing list and would like to receive a future copy in your mailbox, please send an email to Ava Thacker at athacker@upstateforever.org with your mailing address.

Also in this month's newsletter:

• Rocky River Nature Park workday
  Thank you to volunteers who helped us remove invasive plant species at Rocky River Nature Park last week. Removing invasive plants that can outcompete natives in this critical Upstate habitat helps enhance foraging and nesting areas for native and migratory species. Take a look at our workday photo album
   
• Waterfalls and wildflowers
  Spring has arrived! As the days get longer and the wildflowers begin to bloom, it's a great time to start planning your next hike. Listen to the birds, see the native flowers, and view the local waterfalls in all their splendor. We've put together a list of less traveled Upstate trails for you to check out this spring.
   
• Energy Efficiency presentation
  UF's Energy Advocate Michael Coleman was invited to speak at the Hispanic Alliance's February Networking Meeting. He shared information about the Energy Efficiency program with Duke Energy Carolinas, the Inflation Reduction Act, and how community members can directly access their benefits.
   
• Energy rate hikes public hearings
  In April the Public Service Commission will host five public hearings in the Upstate for Duke Energy Carolinas' planned rate increases. We encourage ratepayers to voice concerns with energy burdens by registering for the hearings here. Find out other ways to participate by visiting our website.

Read more in the March Upstate Update

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