Friends of the Reedy River

08/14/2026

Meet our 2026 Summer Interns: Stefan, Jay, and Reece!
From water quality monitoring and community outreach to event promotion and creative design, each intern brought unique skills and perspectives to Friends of the Reedy River. Here is what they learned, enjoyed, and will carry forward from their summer with FoRR.

Stefan Yazijian💙

One of my most memorable experiences was water quality monitoring on what felt like one of the hottest days of the summer. We visited four different sites and learned how to test different aspects of water quality. It was my first time doing this kind of fieldwork, but we picked up the process pretty quickly.

I also learned how closely Greenville’s rivers and streams are connected to the city’s stormwater system. Much of the water that runs off streets and developed areas eventually enters local waterways, so what happens throughout the city can directly affect the river.

I am especially proud of designing the Fall 2026 Reedy River Sweep T-shirt. This summer gave me the chance to contribute to FoRR through both fieldwork and creative projects, and to better understand the different kinds of work involved in protecting a watershed.

Jay Jung💙

This summer, I got to know Greenville through the Reedy River. As I learned more about the river’s history, I began to understand how closely it is connected to the city’s development, daily life, and identity. I also saw how much the river we know today has been shaped by people who continued to care for it and believed it was worth restoring and protecting.

Through that experience, I learned that meaningful community engagement begins with recognizing the value of a place yourself. As I came to genuinely care about the Reedy River, communicating its importance to others became much more natural.

I am proud that I was able to use my interests in design through social media content, event promotions, T-shirts, hats, and educational materials. Working on these projects allowed me to support a mission that became personally meaningful to me. I hope to continue being one of the Friends of the Reedy River by carrying this connection with me and caring for the environment wherever I am.

Reece

07/14/2026

TONIGHT! Join FoRR and Harper General Contractors at Southernside Brewing Co. for By The Banks: Riverside Sanctuaries, Safe Water, & Salamanders! 🦎💧

Learn about the diverse habitats along our rivers, the wildlife they support, and why salamanders are important indicators of healthy ecosystems.

Best of all... it's free!

Come early (around 6 PM) to grab a snack, socialize, and settle in before the talks begin at 6:30 PM. No RSVP needed. We hope to see you there! Southernside Brewing Co.

Thank you to Harper General Contractors for sponsoring this edition of the By The Banks Reedy River Speaker Series.

Full event details at www.friendsofthereedyriver.org/events

07/09/2026

Next week!! Join FoRR and Harper General Contractors at Southernside Brewing Co. for a casual evening of approachable science and river connections! 🌿🦎💧 Grab refreshments and learn about how riparian buffers and vernal pools are used to protect water ways and how salamanders help environmentalists predict water quality! Best of all . . . it’s free and fun for the whole family!
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Thank you to Harper General Contractors for sponsoring the next two editions of the By the Banks Reedy River SpeaThank you to Harper General Contractors for sponsoring the next two editions of the By the Banks Reedy River Speaker Series!
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Come early (around 6) to socialize, grab a snack, and settle in before the talks begin at 6:30. No RSVP needed. We hope to see you there! Brewing Co.
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Full event details at www.friendsofthereedyriver.org/events

07/07/2026

Join us next Tuesday evening at Southernside Brewing Co. for a casual evening of approachable science and river connections! 🌿🦎💧 Grab some refreshments and learn about how riparian buffers and vernal pools are used to protect water ways and how salamanders help environmentalists predict water quality! Best of all . . . it’s free and fun for the whole family!
Come early (around 6 PM) to socialize, grab some snacks, and settle in before the talks begin at 6:30. No RSVP needed. We hope to see you there! Southernside Brewing Co.
Full event details at www.friendsofthereedyriver.org/events

07/05/2026

A Letter from the Reedy River ~ 1776

Dear Friends,

I have flowed through this land for generations, carrying stories, reflections, and the lives of all who depend on me. Today, my waters run freely, and I watch forests grow, wildlife gather, and people build their lives along my banks.

I wonder what you will see when you look upon me 250 years from now. Will my waters still be clear? Will the creatures who call me home still find a place to thrive? Will people remember that a river is more than water. It is a connection between the past, the present, and the future?

Please care for me as those before you have cared for me. Protect my banks, respect my waters, and remember that even a river without a voice has a story worth hearing.

I will keep flowing, carrying hope toward the generations to come.

With gratitude,

Reedy the River

07/01/2026

06/29/2026

June is Zero Tolerance for Litter Month! When litter is left on our streets, sidewalks, or yards, stormwater runoff carries it into nearby streams, wetlands, and eventually the Reedy River.
Swipe to see simple ways to reduce litter in the Reedy River watershed, and learn more about the Zero Tolerance for Litter Month initiative by our partners at PalmettoPride by clicking the link below!
https://www.palmettopride.org/get-involved/program/zero-tolerance/

06/08/2026

TOMORROW! Join us at Southernside Brewing Co. for a casual evening of approachable science and river connections. 🌿💧 No RSVP needed, we can't wait to see you there!
Full event details at www.friendsofthereedyriver.org/events

06/03/2026

Join FoRR at Southernside Brewing Co. next Tuesday evening for science, storytelling, and river connections! Grab a drink and hear from local experts as they describe how we plan with nature. Dive into the concept of ecological planning and learn how and where the City of Greenville utilizes green practices to help keep our Reedy clean. Then, be sure to stick around for Q/A & the conversations that follow!

Come early (around 6 PM) to socialize, grab some snacks, and settle in before the talks begin at 6:30. No RSVP needed. We hope to see you there! Southernside Brewing Co.

Full event details at www.friendsofthereedyriver.org/events