The Upstate Update: December 2019

The Upstate Update is a digital newsletter curated and shared each month that offers insights into Upstate Forever's recent work, highlights upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, and shares other conservation and advocacy news.

We post the Upstate Update here on the Upstate Forever blog each month. If you would like to receive the Upstate Update directly in your email inbox, please sign up for the mailing list.

A gift to Upstate Forever protects our region's character for future generations

As 2019 draws to a close, we're reflecting on all of this year's successes. Thanks to your support, this year Upstate Forever has:

• Permanently protected more than 2,000 new acres of land — all of it critical to drinking water quality. What's more, several of these projects will provide additional outdoor recreation for the public for generations to come:
• 955 acres of pristine wilderness set to be added to Jones Gap State Park
• Two tracts slated to expand Paris Mountain State Park by 200+ acres
• A riverside property that will double the size of Oconee's Chau Ram Park
• Played a critical role on the team that worked to achieve the unanimous passage of the Energy Freedom Act in the Statehouse
• Helped residents in the Tyger River basin reduce pollution, erosion, and bacteria in their local rivers and streams
• Engaged in advocacy and planning processes in 12 local jurisdictions with the goal of reducing sprawl in the face of rapid growth

If you have not yet given this year, please consider a tax-deductible gift in support of maintaining the character of our beloved Upstate!

Read more in this month's issue of the Upstate Update

Also in this month's Upstate Update:

• Greenville needs safe places to walk & ride
  Bike Walk Greenville recently shared a thoughtful opinion piece discussing the need for safer walking and biking infrastructure. Read the article

• Voice your opinion on coal tar pollution in Greenville
  Coal tar pollution on the Bramlett property upstream from Greenville's Unity Park is an issue that has rightly sparked community concern. Our friends at the South Carolina Environmental Law Project have created a petition you can sign to voice your opinion. Learn more and sign the petition

• The energy debate in SC
  In one recent week, almost every aspect of the current energy transition debate was illustrated through both the media and through presentations to the South Carolina Public Service Commission. Director of Energy & State Policy Shelley Robbins breaks down what happened and what it means in an informative blog post. Read the blog post

Plus, find details about February's ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon and other mailing lists you can join to stay in-the-know on all things Upstate Forever.

View the December edition of the Upstate Update

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