Meet the Team: Board member Christie Nachman

Christie Nachman joined the Upstate Forever board in 2024. A retired school counselor, she particularly treasures the positive relationship between nature and mental health.

How long have you called the Upstate home?
I have lived in Greenville for 18 years. I moved here to be closer to my parents and because I fell in love with the Upstate and the amazing and inclusive people here.

What makes you happy?
I love spending quality time with my family, hiking, walking in my neighborhood, reading, playing tennis with my friends, traveling, and going on adventures. My happy place is being in nature with the warmth of the sun on my face!

What sparked your interest in working with Upstate Forever?
At any level of engagement, others involved with Upstate Forever are wonderfully interesting and interested people. It’s an active and compassionate organization and I am honored to be a part of it!

Why is Upstate Forever’s mission — to protect the critical lands, waters, and unique character of the Upstate — important to you?
I grew up in a small town in rural Ohio. My parents' answer for any of my complaints was, “go outside.” As an adult, I worked 25 years in the mental health field — studies prove a strong link between time spent in nature and positive mental health and physical wellness. Stressed? Go outside. Bored? Go outside. Need a reset? Go outside. Upstate Forever values and protects our environment, which I know is vital to the positive mental health and physical wellness of our community. Their work ensures that we will always have places to spend time outdoors.

What do you love most about the Upstate?
This question is too hard to answer! Asking what I love most about the Upstate is like asking me which of my cats I love the most!