COVID Weekly Update: April 17, 2020

Join us on a virtual stewardship site visit

Upstate Forever's Land Conservation team works to protect the natural assets that make our region so special — our farmlands, forests, natural areas, and critical lands — through voluntary conservation easements. But what happens after a conservation agreement is signed?

Conservation stewardship is the perpetual monitoring of land protected by a conservation agreement and, when necessary, the defense and enforcement of that agreement. Our team monitors every property protected by Upstate Forever through stewardship site visits each year — and thanks to your generous support, UF now protects more than 23,500 acres across 124 properties.

In this video, Scott Park, Upstate Forever's Glenn Hilliard Director of Land Conservation, and Christina Sprecher, Land Stewardship Manager, take you along on a virtual stewardship site visit to help illuminate this critical aspect of our work. Watch the video

View this week's email update

Also in this week's email update: 

• Clean Water Act lawsuit launched against Pickens County event venue
  Last week, Upstate Forever joined Naturaland Trust and South Carolina Trout Unlimited to take legal action against the owners and operators of a Pickens County event venue over violations of the Clean Water Act and related property and environmental damage. We are represented by the South Carolina Environmental Law Project (SCELP), a nonprofit environmental law association. Read more

• Backyard bingo
  Whether you have a backyard blooming in abundance, a small balcony garden, or something in between, we hope you'll take a few moments to enjoy this season of growth. To help you get out and enjoy spring (while observing social distancing recommendations, of course), our team put together a fun activity the whole family can enjoy: Backyard Bingo. Click here to download a printable bingo card to fill out on your next backyard adventure, neighborhood stroll, or nature walk. 

• Tune in for Conversations with Conservationists
  This weekly webinar series coordinated by our partners in the South Carolina Conservation Coalition will give you the opportunity to learn more about conservation issues in SC from the comfort of your home. You can view a complete list of the series and additional details here.

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