Our Annual Meeting is a time where we get to thank our members for all of your support while keeping you informed on the progress we have made in the past year. After a hiatus last year, we're excited to gather again outdoors and safely distanced* to celebrate another year of conservation successes.

This is a fun, family-friendly event open to all Upstate Forever members**. Food and libations will be available after the meeting portion has concluded.

This event is complementary, but your RSVP is appreciated. Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 12.

**If your membership has lapsed or you've never officially given, you can click here to make an online donation. An annual gift of $35 qualifies for an individual membership, $50 for a family membership.

If you're interested in attending one or both of these upcoming events, please email Ginger Goldsmith at ggoldsmith@upstateforever.org.

"Nature lovers have nearly 670 reasons to breathe easy." In case you missed it, we recently worked with 2 landowners in Abbeville Co. to protect 664 acres of forest, wetland, and creek frontage. Read more about Morrow Creek Timbers and MROS Preserve from the Greenwood Index-Journal.

We are partnering with TreesUpstate for a volunteer work day at Conestee Nature Preserve on Saturday, October 2 from 9 am - 12 pm. Volunteers will help remove invasive species and mulch and trim trees. There are two shifts available to help maintain smaller groups and social distancing. Click here for more details and to register

SC Adopt-a-Stream seeks to educate SC residents about impacts to water quality and habitat and collect baseline, non-regulatory data on the health of our waterways. You can become a certified citizen scientist by attending a free Freshwater Monitoring Workshop in Seneca on Monday, Sept. 27. Register here

Becky Brown and Dr. Shari Rodriguez, from the Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University, are conducting a study to understand public attitudes towards bats and wildlife management at recreation sites. They are requesting Upstate Forever members help by completing an online survey that will be available for next 2 weeks. Take the survey here!

Swing by Birds Fly South Ale Project's outdoor biergarten (1320 Hampton Avenue Ext., Greenville) between 2 and 6 pm on Sunday, October 10 for a fun and family-friendly event celebrating healthy forests, clean water, and great beer. Interactive tables will have activities for kids to enjoy. Stop by and say hello to our team!

Are you interested in owning a property that has a conservation easement with Upstate Forever? Visit our website at upstateforever.org/listings to view properties that are currently for sale. For more information about a particular property, please contact the listing agent directly.

By including Upstate Forever in your will, trust, or estate plans, you can help protect our region's high quality of life for future generations. If you would like to learn more about planned giving or to request a copy of our free estate planning guide, contact Aldon Knight, Director of Development and Community Relations.

Upstate Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of Upstate South Carolina.  Over the past two decades, we have worked to protect the natural assets that make the Upstate so special — our farmlands, forests, natural areas, rivers, and clean air. We are committed to ensuring that our communities are vibrant and retain their green spaces, outdoor heritage, and unique identities in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl. Our vision is an environmentally healthy, economically prosperous Upstate that offers a high quality of life now and for future generations.

For more information, visit our website at upstateforever.org or send us an email.