Join Our Virtual Citizens Planning Academy
This online, interactive course is designed to help Greenville residents, business owners, and neighborhood leaders understand processes that drive local planning and land use policy decisions, as well as the roles and perspectives of diverse stakeholders. Eight one-hour lunch and learn-style sessions will take place over Zoom beginning on Wednesdays in April.
Land & Water | Advocacy | Balanced Growth
Our Work
Upstate Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of the Upstate of South Carolina. We focus our work on the ten counties of Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union.
Over the past two decades, we have worked to protect some of our region’s most important environmentally sensitive lands and assets in regards to water and habitat quality – our farmlands, forests, natural areas, healthy rivers, and clean air. We are committed to ensuring that our Upstate communities are vibrant and retain their natural areas, outdoor heritage, and unique identities in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl.
Our Goals
- Protect land and water
- Foster a love of place
- Convey the importance of now
- Serve as a trusted community champion
What’s Happening
Citizens Planning Academy
Our interactive land use planning and policy course is going online this spring and expanding to eight one-hour, virtual lunch and learn sessions. Greenville residents, business owners, and neighborhood leaders are invited to apply now.
Environmental Justice
Watch the recording of a recent panel discussion featuring representatives from community and environmental groups and find resources to get involved with environmental justice issues in Upstate South Carolina.
2000+ acres in 2020
Our nationally-accredited land trust protected 2,176 acres of private and public farmlands, forests, and greenspace across the 10-county Upstate SC region in 2020.
2021 advocacy priorities
Our team advocates for local and state policies that will help further our mission to protect the critical lands, waters, and unique character of Upstate South Carolina.
Greenville County UDO
Greenville County is drafting a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to replace current zoning and land development regulations that will decide how growth impacts current and future residents and the environment.
Defend our water quality
As our region grows, it’s more important than ever to recognize the tremendous value of water — and to fight to protect it.
Greenville
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