Upstate Forever Staff

As Land Policy Director at Upstate Forever, Sherry Barrett focuses on strengthening and improving land policy in the most rapidly growing areas of the Upstate. Sherry joined Upstate Forever in 2010 as a Program Associate based in UF's Spartanburg office. Before transitioning to her current role in 2022, Sherry served as Land Policy Manager and was primarily responsible for UF land policy education and advocacy initiatives in municipalities across Greenville and Spartanburg counties, including the cities of Greenville, Greer, Travelers Rest, Spartanburg, and Landrum. 

Sherry earned a Master of Landscape Architecture at Virginia Tech, a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia, and a Certificate in Advanced Geographic Information Systems from Greenville Technical College. Previously, Sherry was Program Coordinator for the Community Design Assistance Center at Virginia Tech and a Landscape Designer with Site Design, Inc. in Greenville. 

Sherry's first experience with Upstate Forever was as a member and volunteer. Originally from coastal Georgia, she and her husband Richard lived in North Carolina, Connecticut, Missouri, Illinois, and Virginia before establishing roots as empty nesters in the Upstate. Sherry enjoys living near downtown Greenville, walking, bicycling, traveling, working on jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with family and friends, including her three grandsons in Georgia.