News & Media

South Carolina’s Public Service Commission voted this week to deny Duke Energy’s petition to reconsider its application for a solar program that was expected to save South Carolinians $18 million. On behalf of Upstate Forever and 4 additional regional conservation organizations, the Southern Environmental Law Center supported Duke’s request for reconsideration of its application for a program called “Smart $aver Solar as Energy Efficiency.” read more

Our nationally accredited land trust protected approximately 3,600 acres of private and public forests, farmlands, and green spaces across Upstate South Carolina in 2021. Partner projects where Upstate Forever was integral to the effort’s success comprise nearly 900 additional acres. read more

Four homeowners’ associations and three conservation organizations, including Upstate Forever, have asked the governing Board of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to review and rescind a septic tank permit issued by the DHEC staff for a proposed Recreational Vehicle (RV) park on Landrum Mill Road in Campobello, South Carolina. read more

The natural gas pipeline proposed by Piedmont Natural Gas threatens Greenville County’s natural beauty and quality of life. Read the opinion-editorial we submitted to the Greenville Journal alongside our partners Frank Holleman of the Southern Environmental Law Center and Julie Turner of Friends of Northern Greenville County. read more

Upstate Forever opposes the natural gas pipeline proposed again by Piedmont Natural Gas that would run from Taylors to Travelers Rest in Northern Greenville County. Read the opinion-editorial we submitted to The Greenville News alongside our partners Frank Holleman of the Southern Environmental Law Center and Julie Turner of Friends of Northern Greenville County. read more

We are pleased to announce the protection of 300 acres in northern Greenville County in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. read more

Morrow Creek Timbers is a nearly 430-acre property comprising hardwood forests, 30 acres of wetlands, and a 6-acre pond. MROS Preserve is approximately 239 acres of pine and hardwood forest and frontage on Gill Creek, a tributary of the Savannah River. Funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank made protection of these two properties possible. read more

We are proud to announce the permanent protection of 2,176 acres of private and public farmlands, forests, and greenspace across the 10-county Upstate South Carolina region in 2020. read more