The Upstate Update: October 2021

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.

More than 1,000 acres protected this summer!

Our Land Conservation team has been hard at work this year! This summer, we worked with landowners and conservation partners to permanently protect more than 1,000 acres across the Upstate. These protected lands include hardwood forests and wetlands, properties critical to local water quality, 300 remarkable acres along the Blue Ridge Escarpment (pictured above), and a unique habitat suitable for the the propagation and enhancement of the rare Oconee bell. Click here to read more

Ready for even more good news? We're working to protect an additional 6,000 acres by the end of this year.

Click here to view this month's Upstate Update

Also in this month's update: 

• We oppose PNG's proposed natural gas pipeline in Northern Greenville County
  The pipeline would have negative impacts on water quality, property rights, and endangered species — and we haven't received any figures or studies to verify the need for the pipeline at all. Click here to get involved
   
• RSVP for 2 webinars with UF staff
  We're excited to host two informative virtual events in November. Register now for Conservation Easements: Myths vs Facts on 11/9 at 4 pm with Scott Park, and Cracking the Code, a deep dive into the City of Greenville Development Code with Sherry Barrett and Lisa Hallo on 11/11 at 12 pm. Space is limited. Zoom link will be shared by email. Register now
   

• Improving grassland bird habitat
  UF, Clemson University, and Conestee Nature Preserve received a grant from the Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative to study, determine & share best management practices to restore and improve grassland bird habitats. After thorough research by wildlife biology students at Clemson, we're thrilled to share a guide featuring key recommendations. View the guide here

Click here to view this month's Upstate Update