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Protection expanded for extremely rare local plant

May 21st 2018

Protection expanded for extremely rare local plant

A property in Travelers Rest once slated for subdivision development has been acquired by the SC DNR Heritage Trust and added to the adjacent Blackwell Heritage Trust Preserve. Upstate Forever and other partners opposed the development, called Bluestone Ridge, because it would have seriously threatened the survival of the bunched arrowhead, an extremely rare plant only found in four counties, including Greenville.
Upstate Forever receives $1 million gift honoring Marjorie E. Schmidt

May 16th 2018

Upstate Forever receives $1 million gift honoring Marjorie E. Schmidt

Upstate Forever is thrilled to announce it has received a $1 million gift in honor of Marjorie E. Schmidt, a longtime Greenville resident with a heart for nature and a humble, giving spirit. The gift will be used to advance Upstate Forever’s mission to protect land, water, and the unique character of the Upstate in the face of skyrocketing growth and sprawling development.

Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail opens

May 11th 2018

Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail opens

The first phase of mountain bike trails on Stumphouse Mountain in Oconee County is officially open! Six miles of trails are already accessible and ten total should be completed by the end of the year, linking the town of Walhalla to the Palmetto Trail. The Trail is built and managed by Palmetto Conservation Foundation. Upstate Forever holds the park land under a conservation easement, which permanently protects the property from development. We are honored to have worked with many sponsors and partners to complete this exciting project to improve access to nature in the Upstate.
Glassy Mountain Property in Pickens is Now Permanently Protected

December 15th 2017

Glassy Mountain Property in Pickens is Now Permanently Protected

PICKENS, SC — A tract of land near Glassy Mountain Heritage Trust Preserve in Pickens County that was once slated for a controversial real estate development has been permanently protected by a conservation easement. Upstate Forever was instrumental in working with the community and the owners of the proposed development site to realize a conservation outcome for this important tract of land at the base of Glassy Mountain, a Pickens County icon. The tract in question is critical to preserving the natural heritage of the area.

Furman professor and students conducted research on Upstate Forever protected lands

December 14th 2017

Furman professor and students conducted research on Upstate Forever protected lands

During the summer months of 2017, Furman University biology professor John Quinn and Emma Cook, a biology and sustainability science major, conducted research on selected Upstate Forever conservation lands to understand how bird species are responding to land use change across the Upstate region.
Upstate Forever Receives $90,000 Grant from the Jolley Foundation

December 11th 2017

Upstate Forever Receives $90,000 Grant from the Jolley Foundation

Greenville, SC – The Jolley Foundation awarded Upstate Forever a grant for $90,000 over two years to engage Greenville County community members and quality-of-life stakeholders in critical land use discussions and to help build local capacity for addressing community challenges through land use solutions. With the generous support of the Jolley Foundation, we plan to engage many more citizens and non-traditional stakeholders in discussions about land use and its impacts.
100 additional acres of historic Hester Dairy Farm are now permanently protected

August 25th 2017

100 additional acres of historic Hester Dairy Farm are now permanently protected

A 110-acre tract formerly used to pasture cattle for the historic Hester Dairy in Pickens County is now permanently protected through a partnership between Upstate Forever and a conservation-minded landowner. Located just outside of Easley, the historic Hester Dairy Farm was purchased in the late 1800’s from Robert Elliot Holcombe, the first “citizen” of Easley. The Hester family embraces a long history of farming in the area that stretches from Easley through Dacusville and all the way to Pumpkintown, including the historic Hester Dairy Store.
Upstate Forever completes Critical Lands mapping project

August 7th 2017

Upstate Forever completes Critical Lands mapping project

With the generous support of Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, Upstate Forever recently completed a mapping project to identify the region’s most environmentally sensitive lands in regards to water quality and high-quality habitat. Developed in partnership with Furman University and using advanced ecological modeling software, the map will be a key tool in determining the most effective ways to protect our region’s natural heritage – the most critically important farmlands, forests, natural areas, and public lands.

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