Upstate Forever

10/11/2026

Reminder: The SCDES public hearing on the proposed Anderson County gas plant is this Tuesday, October 13!

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is considering an air permit for Duke Energy Carolinas’ proposed gas plant in Anderson. This public hearing is a critical opportunity to ensure that public health and environmental considerations are fully incorporated into the permitting process.

📍 McFalls Landing, 1625 Broadway Lake Rd, Anderson, SC 29621

🕠 5:30 p.m. — Availability session: SCDES Bureau of Air Quality staff will be available to answer questions one-on-one.

🗣️ 6:30 p.m. — Public hearing: Share your concerns and make your voice heard.

⚠️ Planning to attend or make oral comments? Register by noon on Tuesday, October 13.

✍️ Can't attend in person? You can still participate by submitting written comments.

👉 Click the link below to:
- Register for the public hearing
- Submit written comments to SCDES
- Learn more about the proposed plant and Upstate Forever’s concerns

Upstate Forever is monitoring Duke Energy Carolinas' efforts to build a combined-cycle gas plant in Anderson County. At 1,365 megawatts, the proposed plant would be one of the largest new gas-fired po

10/09/2026

Volunteers needed! Register now for our upcoming volunteer workday at Anderson's Rocky River Nature Park

📆 Thursday, October 22 | 10 AM–12 PM
📍 1311 Old Williamston Rd, Anderson, SC 29621
➡️ https://www.upstateforever.org/events/81/volunteer-workday-rocky-river-nature-park

Learn to identify and remove non-native invasive plant species while helping to enhance foraging and nesting areas for native wildlife and migratory species. No gear or experience necessary!

Please join us for a volunteer workday removing invasive plant species in Anderson's beloved Rocky River Nature Park.

10/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Upstate Forever's Annual Meeting at the gorgeous Elf Leaf Farm in Landrum this past Sunday! It is always a joy to gather with UF staff, board members, supporters, landowners, and friends to celebrate the year's conservation and advocacy successes.

10/05/2026

📣 Spartanburg residents, listen up!

The City of Spartanburg is hosting two drop-in-style public meetings this week to kick off "Code Spartanburg," an exciting and long-awaited effort to update zoning by creating a modern set of development regulations that will guide growth and reinvestment in the city for years to come.

We hope you'll mark your calendar and drop by to learn more:
📆 Wednesday, October 7 | 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Spartanburg County Public Library (151 S. Church St)

📆 Thursday, October 8 | 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center (650 Howard St)

Don’t miss this important opportunity to share your thoughts on the policies and regulations that will shape the future of land use in the City of Spartanburg!

09/28/2026

Reminder! Tune in tomorrow, Tuesday, September 29 at noon to learn more about Duke Energy Carolinas' efforts to build a 1,365 megawatt combined-cycle gas plant in Anderson County and how you can participate in the upcoming SCDES public hearing on the plant's air permit.

Register for the Zoom webinar hosted by UF & conservation partners ➡️ https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DSQdpSZLTYqQaGk8L7tq3Q #/registration

For more information ➡️ https://www.upstateforever.org/advocacy-alerts/active/hold-duke-accountable-for-planned-gas-plant

Upstate Forever is monitoring Duke Energy Carolinas' efforts to build a combined-cycle gas plant in Anderson County. At 1,365 megawatts, the proposed plant would be one of the largest new gas-fired po

09/20/2026

Celebrate National Scenic Byway Day on Tuesday, September 22! Greenville County and local partners are hosting two events along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway this Tuesday:

🧤 Litter Cleanup | 3:00–4:30 PM
Help keep Highway 11 beautiful with a volunteer cleanup beginning at Pleasant Ridge Park (4232 Hwy 11, Marietta, SC 29661).

🌄 Public Workshop | 4:30–6:00 PM
Stop by a drop-in public workshop at Luttrell Lodge (inside Pleasant Ridge Park) to learn more about scenic preservation and resilience — and how you can help protect the character of this special corridor. Upstate Forever will be there to share information about conservation easements and other ways to conserve the places that make the Upstate special.

Learn more and find event details here ➡️

The National Scenic Byway Association declared September 22 as National Scenic Byway Day, "a nationwide celebration inviting travelers to rediscover America's most breathtaking, culturally rich, and story-filled roads." Greenville County residents and visitors are encouraged to mark the occasion by....

09/17/2026

We have not one, but two, exciting events happening next week!

On Tuesday, you're invited to grab a drink on us at Holliday Brewing in Inman for a casual happy hour for all interested in conservation and advocacy efforts in the Upstate. On Saturday, we need your help removing non-native invasive plant species at Easley's Nalley Brown Nature Park.

To register for one or both of these events, head to upstateforever.org/events

09/15/2026

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is now considering an air permit for Duke Energy Carolinas’ proposed 1,365-megawatt gas plant in Anderson County. If approved, the facility would be one of the largest new gas-fired power plants in the Southeast.

The proposed plant would be located on nearly 200 acres near Highway 81 South and True Temper Road, just miles from homes, businesses, places of worship and three elementary schools. Since the project was announced, Anderson County residents and advocacy groups have raised concerns about potential impacts to local air quality, public health, and the surrounding environment.

There are two important opportunities coming up to get involved:

📚 Air Permit Advocacy Training Webinar
Sept. 29 at noon | Online
Join UF, Conservation Voters of South Carolina, South Carolina Environmental Law Project, and Sierra Club of South Carolina to learn about the project, the air permitting process, what to expect at the public hearing and how to submit written comments.

📣 SCDES Public Hearing
Oct. 13 at 6:30 pm | McFalls Landing, Anderson
SCDES will hear public comments on the proposed air permit. An availability session with SCDES air-quality staff will begin at 5:30 pm.

👉 Learn more, register for the webinar or public hearing, and find information about submitting written comments in our online action center: https://www.upstateforever.org/advocacy-alerts/active/hold-duke-accountable-for-planned-gas-plant

09/10/2026

We're thrilled to share news of more than 800 acres of land now permanently protected in Laurens and Union counties! Together, these three recent conservation projects preserve family farms, working forests, clean water, wildlife habitat, and the rural character of communities facing increasing development pressure.

09/09/2026

Please join us in saying a huge THANK YOU! to Mast General Store — Upstate Forever received more than $11,000 from the Greenville Mast General Store's recent round-up campaign and annual Land Trust Day profit share.

We are blown away by the generosity of Mast General Store and shoppers who chose to support our work! This generous gift will enable our land trust team to continue to permanently protect the Upstate's farmlands, forests, and natural areas for future generations to enjoy.