With Whistle Stop #1 now open, Byrnes Linear Park is officially underway
- June 6th 2017
The installation of Whistle Stop #1 is the first in a series of landscaped parklets that will establish Byrnes Mile Linear Park. Byrnes Mile Linear Park is an outgrowth of partnership efforts led by Upstate Forever with funding from the Mary Black Foundation to help Spartanburg County communities become more walkable. Three additional Whistle Stop installations are anticipated by August, and ultimately, 20 parklets enhanced with train-themed art are planned to complete Byrnes Mile Linear Park. Each Whistle Stop will provide a place for rest and/or engagement along a mile-long fitness trail that connects key destinations in Duncan.
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Shaping Our Future study results show an urgent need for responsible growth
- May 26th 2017
If the ten-county Upstate region continues on its current low-density land use trajectory, the amount of land consumed by 2040 to accommodate the 300,000+ new residents projected for the region could more than double, according to a study released recently by Upstate Forever, Ten at the Top and Furman’s Riley Institute. If land use trends continue, government’s cost to serve newly developed areas will increase dramatically over time, and expected revenues will likely not cover half of the projected costs.
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Upstate Forever received an $80K grant from Greenville Women Giving
- May 10th 2017
At their Annual Meeting, GWG awarded Upstate Forever a grant for $80,000 in the Environmental category. Upstate Forever will use the grant funds to preserve the character of Falls Park by permanently protecting 55 Camperdown from the recently proposed development. The grant will also be used to fund work protecting Greenville’s rapidly vanishing farmlands to help retain the Upstate's rural heritage and create a strong foundation for local food.
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UF is not pursuing further review of Dominion Pipeline; will focus on regulatory reform
- April 26th 2017
On April 11, SC DHEC circulated a Notice of Department Decision, effectively agreeing that Dominion Carolinas Gas Transmission’s Transco to Charleston natural gas pipeline project will not negatively impact water quality along it’s 55-mile route through Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry and Greenwood Counties. This decision is the last hurdle in the pipeline’s regulatory approval process. Based on this fact and our analysis of the situation with VC Summer, Upstate Forever and SCELP will not request DHEC Board review of the Dominion Transco to Charleston pipeline project.
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Thank you to our 2017 ForeverGreen Luncheon Sponsors
- February 22nd 2017
Upstate Forever’s ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon was extra special this year, thanks in big part to our generous sponsors. In addition to honoring six amazing conservation champions, the event featured lunch prepared by award-winning chef Alan Scott. WYFF’s Myra Ruiz emceed the event, which culminated with an entertaining and informative keynote speech by Josh Dorfman, “The Lazy Environmentalist.”
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