3 key priorities for the New Year

As we prepare to turn the calendar page on another year — my first since assuming the role of Executive Director of Upstate Forever this spring — I can’t help but find myself reflecting on the significant progress our team has made this year.

I am filled with gratitude for the community members, conservation partners, tireless advocates, and, of course, the staff at Upstate Forever who work day in and day out to protect the critical lands, abundant waters, and unique character of Upstate South Carolina. This team has made meaningful strides toward our goals this year (read this blog post to view conservation & advocacy wins of 2024) but as we look ahead to 2025, we know that time is of the essence. As our region faces unprecedented development pressure and demands on our natural resources, our work is more important and time-sensitive than ever before.

Below are three top priorities for Upstate Forever staff in the New Year...

3 key conservation & advocacy goals for 2025

🌳 Protecting more land
Our goal is to have permanently protected 50,000 acres across Upstate South Carolina by the end of 2027. To date, our nationally accredited land trust has protected approximately 38,500 acres through conservation easements and partner projects — and we’re working with private and public landowners each day to safeguard more of the Upstate’s forests, farmland, headwater streams, open fields, and scenic mountain views.

💧 Advancing water protection issues
By serving on Governor McMaster’s WaterSC working group alongside conservation partners, utilities, state agencies, and other stakeholders, I’m working to ensure Upstate voices are heard as surface water demands are evaluated at the state level. By the end of 2025, the WaterSC working group is tasked with presenting recommendations for the state’s water policy to the South Carolina General Assembly.

🤝 Building support at the local level
With a new cohort of representatives joining local councils and commissions, we’ll be focused on coalition- and relationship-building to continue to move Upstate municipalities toward policies that encourage smarter growth, natural resource protection, sprawl reduction, and increased funding for conservation.

To view a detailed list of our strategic goals through 2027, visit upstateforever.org/goals.

These goals are bold, but with your support, we can achieve them. If you have given to Upstate Forever this year, we thank you. Your additional year-end gift will help us carry this momentum into the New Year. If you have not yet given this year, please consider making a tax-deductible gift by December 31.

Support our work

Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more resilient future for Upstate South Carolina and all who call this remarkable region home.

Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year,

Aldon Knight
Executive Director
Upstate Forever