Upstate Advocate 2019 | SPRING/SUMMER

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 15 ADVENTURES TO ENJOY ACROSS THE UPSTATE

Rainbow Falls in Greenville County. Photo by Mac Stone/Naturaland Trust ASK THE STAFF:

What's one of your favorite outdoor adventures in the Upstate?

507 Pettigru Street, Greenville, SC 29601 201 E. Broad Street, Suite 1C, Spartanburg, SC 29306 www.upstateforever.org

Mission "Relaxing with the kids at Jones Gap." — Chris Starker, Land Conservation Manager Upstate Forever is a conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of the Upstate of .

Vision To conserve our land and water resources, resulting in an environmentally healthy and economically prosperous region, with a high quality of life now and for future generations.

Board of Directors

"Paddling! The Tyger River is a favorite." Joe Lesesne, Chair Michael Allen Joe James Hank McCullough — Katie Hottel, GIS Coordinator Mike Baur, Vice Chair Charles Dalton Emelyn Jones Charles Mickel John Keith Gaye Sprague Ken Deon, Treasurer Marianna Black Habisreutinger Tom Kester Mark Taylor Glenn Hilliard, Secretary Mary Haque Erwin Maddrey Pamela Vaughn Neal Workman Advisory Council

Bob Becker Russell Harris Patrick McMillan Sue Priester Juan Brown George Dean Scott Montgomery Dick Riley Johnson, Jr. Dan Burden Nell Newman David Shi John Knott John Frampton Mike Nicklas Gus Speth John Lane Vince Graham Carlton Owen Bill Workman Drew Lanham "A waterfall hike with my wife Anna." Johnny Hagins Leon Patterson Brad Wyche — Aldon Knight, Director of Development S t a

Pam Barber Andrea Cooper Peg O’Donoghue Land Stewardship Manager Executive Director Financial Director

Sherry Barrett Joy Dickerson Scott Park Land Conservation Director Land Policy Manager Assistant Financial Director Shelley Robbins Sally Boman Ginger Goldsmith Energy & State Policy Director Communications Director Development Associate Dorothy Signal Lee Brashier Lisa Hallo Land Stewardship Associate Executive Assistant & Land Policy Director Office Manager Caitlyn Smith Erika Hollis Land Protection Specialist Megan Burton Clean Water Director Chris Starker Communications Coordinator Land Conservation Manager Katie Hottel Megan Chase GIS Coordinator Ava Thacker e "A day spent fishing on the ." Clean Water Advocate Development Associate Aldon Knight —Shelley Robbins, Director of Energy & State Policy Director of Development & Brad Wyche Community Relations Founder & Senior Advisor

— 2 — FROM THE DIRECTOR

We are blessed to call this beautiful region home.

I love spending time in nature. Whether it's fly fishing the This spring and summer, I urge you to get outside and Saluda with my husband Edwin or biking the trails at Paris remind yourself just how blessed we are to live in the Upstate Mountain State Park with my two sons, spending time in nature — a region with beautiful landscapes and bountiful outdoor improves my mood, keeps me healthy, and enriches my life. recreation opportunities. If you need ideas for an outdoor adventure, you'll find 15 of them starting on page 7. Outdoor recreation enriches our communities as well — and I mean that literally. Think tourism dollars. Business I also encourage you to make a gift to the Crossroads recruitment. Job creation and talent retention. Campaign, our $7.5 million initiative to ensure our region grows responsibly while protecting the critical lands, According to the South Carolina Department of Natural abundant waters, and unique character of the Upstate. If you Resources, outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, and bird have already given, we appreciate your support! See more watching contribute $33.4 billion annually to the state's information about the Crossroads Campaign on page 23. economy and support more than 200,000 jobs. From all of us at Upstate Forever, thank you for helping Another great example: Greenville County Recreation protect the special character of the place we call home. estimates the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail’s economic impact on the County is $7 million per year. That’s an impressive return for a $2.7 million investment.

Investing in greenspace, trails, and clean water yields an astounding return to our region, enhancing both our economy and our quality of life. That's why Upstate Andrea Cooper Forever's work to protect critical land and water resources Executive Director is so essential.

ASK THE STAFF: What's one of your favorite outdoor adventures in the Upstate?

e "Mountain biking with my son Havilah." —Andrea Cooper, Executive Director

"Unexpected adventures, like coming across this field of sunflowers in Anderson County!" — Lisa Hallo, Land Policy Director

e "Spending time with my grandson Eli in Falls Park" — Sherry Barrett, Land Policy Manager

— 3 — FOREVERGREEN LUNCHEON

The 2019 ForeverGreen Awards Luncheon was bigger and better than ever! We had around 300 attendees, and unveiled a brand new award: the Marjorie E. Schmidt Stewardship Award. Thanks to all who contributed to a successful event, and be on the lookout for updates about next year's luncheon.

2019 Award Recipients

THE MARJORIE E. SCHMIDT LAND PLANNING & POLICY CHAMPION STEWARDSHIP AWARD The Northside Initiative received this Dick Carr was honored for his tireless award for their collaborative efforts to dedication to Upstate Forever for transform and revitalize the Northside more than a decade. community in Spartanburg.

THE TOMMY WYCHE LAND PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEAR CONSERVATION CHAMPION Phil Gaines was honored for his years Doug Harper was recognized for his of service to the SC State Parks Service. key role in reauthorizing the South [Read an interview with Phil on PAGE 12] Carolina Conservation Bank.

EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD CLEAN WATER CHAMPION Dennis Chastain was recognized for his Nikki Grumbine received this award 40+ years of work as a writer, historian, to recognize her leadership with the botanist, guide, and conservation Friends of the Reedy River. advocate. [Read an essay by Dennis on PAGE 14]

Learn more about these award recipients at upstateforever.org/blog/forevergreen-luncheon and watch the awardee videos at our YouTube channel UpstateForever

Thank you to our 2019 sponsors!

EMERALD SPONSORS FOREST SPONSOR

SPRUCE SPONSORS

CEDAR SPONSORS

— 4 — FOREVERGREEN LUNCHEON

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

See more ForeverGreen Luncheon photos on Upstate Forever's Facebook page ­— 5 — Zach Lucero

— 6 — Split Creek Farm Ben Geer Keys Manuel Goche Travelers Rest Farmers Market 15 ADVENTURES 15,000 ACRES

Over the past two decades, Upstate Forever has worked to protect the natural assets that make the Upstate so special: our farmlands, forests, rivers, and natural areas.

In fact, we have protected more than 22,000 acres of critical lands across the Upstate since 1998.

But we won’t stop there. This year, we are raising awareness of our mission to protect 15,000 more acres of critical lands by 2022.

To show why we protect it, we’ve highlighted 15 amazing outdoor activities across the Upstate. There's something for everyone — regardless of age, activity level, or recreational interest.

We protect the Upstate... so that you can Be the Upstate.

Turn the page to read more >>

For more information, visit BetheUpstate.com

— 7 — Travelers Rest Farmers Market Christina Carpenter Dick Carr Jack Robert Photography 1 Picnic & Paddle at the Tyger River Nature Park

ROEBUCK, SC The Tyger River Nature Park offers a perfect perch for viewing abundant flora and fauna. Bring the family along for a leisurely stroll along the 0.8-mile nature trail, pack a picnic and relax on the riverbanks, or paddle along exciting Class I-II rapids and shoals — great for novice paddlers.

2 Hike Jones Gap

MARIETTA, SC One of the most treasured parks in the Upstate, boasts miles of beautiful hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous. They’re rarely crowded and contain tons of hidden waterfalls. For those who’d like to extend their stay in nature, the Hike Jones Gap 2 park also features campsites aplenty. 2 Allison Towner

3 Dog Walk at Glassy Mountain Trail PICKENS, SC Panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Escarpment make this rugged, moderately difficult climb all the more rewarding. This mile-long trail is appropriate for all skill levels, and Fido is always welcome (on leash). In 2017, Upstate Forever worked with local landowners and community members to protect the breathtaking views from this Pickens County icon indefinitely.

4 Bike the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail

GREENVILLE, SC Rent a bike from one of the area's many rental shops, and journey north from Greenville to Travelers Rest (or vice versa). Stop to enjoy a bite at one of TR’s local restaurants, a refreshing treat from Pink Mama’s Ice Cream, or a craft brew at Swamp Rabbit Brewery before heading back to Greenville. 3 Glassy Mountain Trail

5 High Meadows Preserve 2 9 14 CHEROKEE 14 14 11 SPARTANBURG 10 GREENVILLE 3 13 14 4 6 8 PICKENS OCONEE 1 UNION 14 15 12 14

LAURENS ANDERSON

5 7 ABBEVILLE GREENWOOD

— 8 — 5 Quail Hunt at High Meadows Preserve ABBEVILLE, SC Located on Upstate Forever’s second largest conservation easement, the 1,023-acre High Meadows Hunting Preserve offers guided quail, dove and other hunts. For 7 years, owner Jeff Fry has been working to raise bobwhite quail — whose populations have plummeted due to development and habitat loss — for release and recreational 40-bird hunts.

6 Walk Through History at Raines Mill MOUNTAIN REST, SC Built in 1914, the historic Raines Mill is a rustic 3-story structure with a 40-foot tall overshot water wheel. In its time, Raines Mill ground corn and wheat in the daytime and generated power 7 Lake Greenwood for the nearby Long Creek Academy at night. The mill and its Kevin Latham surrounding land have since become a favorite destination for hikers and waterfall enthusiasts.

7 Fish for Bass at Lake Greenwood GREENWOOD, SC Offering 212 miles of shoreline and 11,000 acres of water to explore, Lake Greenwood is a prime spot for largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, crappie, perch, pickerel and sunfish fishing, though bass are certainly the most popular attraction and are plentiful from spring through fall. Launch your own boat at any of a dozen ramps around the lake, or rent one from a local purveyor.

8 Mountain Bike at Stumphouse Passage WALHALLA, SC Part of the 350-mile system, the Stumphouse 8 Stumphouse Passage Passage in Walhalla is one of the latest additions to the cross- state trail system. It boasts an excellent 1.5-mile hiking trail and 2.5-mile mountain bike park offering scenic views of numerous water features, with Issaqueena Falls nearby.

9 Hawk Watch at CLEVELAND, SC Due to the park’s unique location and features, hundreds of hawks — as well as bald eagles, osprey, and other raptors — fly past Caesars Head State Park each autumn. Grab your binoculars and plan a visit between September and November to view this breathtaking spectacle.

This list is just a sampling of the many recreation opportunities in the Upstate. We would love to hear and share your favorite hidden gems! Email Megan Burton, Communications Coordinator, at mburton@ upstateforever.org to submit your favorite local outdoor adventures.

For more information about these adventures, visit BetheUpstate.com 9 Caesars Head State Park — 9 — Ed Helms 11 Travelers Rest Farmers Market 10 Relax on a Front Porch at Greenbrier Farms EASLEY, SC Get a taste of the simpler life at Greenbrier Farms’ weekly Front Porch Series each spring and summer. Take in the setting of this idyllic organic farm in Easley while enjoying a sampling of the Farm’s locally produced food, live music, various craft drinks, and fun for the whole family.

11 Eat Local at the Travelers Rest Farmers Market TRAVELERS REST, SC Enjoy a Saturday morning strolling the Upstate’s largest open air market. Shop locally grown and raised fruits and vegetables, herbs, meats, eggs, plants, flowers and more. You can also enjoy live music, cooking demos, crafts from local artists, children’s activities, and food trucks.

12 Stretch and Laugh at Goat Yoga ANDERSON, SC This trendy workout experience has made its way to the Upstate at Split Creek Farm in Anderson. An initiative of Split Creek Farm’s “Goats 4 Goodness” non-profit organization, the one-hour goat yoga classes allow baby or mama goats to roam around as you practice your poses. A professional photographer is also on hand to capture each special session.

13 Go Camping (or Glamping) in SPARTANBURG, SC A hidden gem even to many Spartanburg natives, the 7,000+ acre Croft State Park is a wonderland for nature lovers. Once a World 12 Split Creek Farm War II training camp, Croft is one of South Carolina’s largest state Paige Ramsey parks and offers plenty of activities for the whole family. Most of the park's camp sites have water, electrical hookups, and nearby restrooms with hot showers, so you don't have to rough it too much.

2 9 14 CHEROKEE 14 14 11 SPARTANBURG 10 GREENVILLE 3 13 14 4 6 8 PICKENS OCONEE 1 UNION 14 15 12 14

LAURENS ANDERSON

5 7 ABBEVILLE GREENWOOD 13 Croft State Park — 10 — Jenn Evelyn-Ann 14 Sandy Flat 15 Chauga River Berry Patch

Eleanor Clifton

14 Pick Your Own Produce Across the Upstate 15 Paddle the Chauga River UPSTATE SC OCONEE, SC There’s nothing as satisfying as digging in to a A freestone river with steep gradients and rapid currents, beautifully ripe berry or luscious peach you’ve picked the Chauga is a thrilling blueway for paddlers of a variety yourself. Luckily, there are U-Pick farms across the of skill levels. The 31-mile blueway is surrounded by State Upstate that invite the whole family to delight in farm Parks and National Forests, allowing beginner paddlers fresh fruits right off the vine. Visit BetheUpstate.com and experienced whitewater kayakers alike to immerse for a list of U-Pick farms across the Upstate. themselves in the natural splendor of the Upstate.

For more information about these adventures, visit BetheUpstate.com

STAFF UPDATE Meet Upstate Forever's newest team members We’ve grown! To intensify our efforts to protect our natural resources as the region grows, Upstate Forever has added several talented new staff members. For full bios and contact information, visit upstateforever.org/team

Lee Brashier Megan Burton Megan Chase Dorothy Signal Caitlyn Smith Executive Assistant / Communications Clean Water Land Stewardship Land Protection Office Manager Coordinator Advocate Associate Specialist

Lee Ann Brashier A graduate of Megan has a B.S. Dorothy has a B.S. Caitlin received her recently moved to Anderson Univer- in Ecology from in biology from the B.S. in Agriscience Pickens, SC from sity, Megan has UGA and a M.S. University of South & Environmental Denver. She loves the an impressive and in Environmental Carolina and an Systems from UGA. beautiful landscapes versatile marketing Toxicology from M.B.A. from Santa She has worked and natural beauty and communications Clemson University. Clara University. closely with farmers that South Carolina background. She will As the Clean Water Dorothy loves the and community offers and is excited manage UF's social Advocate, she will mountains, forests, members to enact to keep exploring media and assist the work to protect and wildlife of the sustainable practices, it. She is thrilled to Development team our valuable water Carolinas, and enjoys and is excited to help help UF further its with boosting event resources in the supporting UF’s land protect land in the mission. engagement. Upstate. stewardship goals. Upstate.

— 11 — CONSERVATION CONVERSATION

'I have failed at retirement miserably'

An interview with Phil Gaines, South Carolina’s long-serving State Parks Director and recipient of the Public Servant of the Year Award at the 2019 ForeverGreen Awards

[Read more about the 2019 ForeverGreen Awards on PAGE 4]

Phil Gaines started his 38-year career in 1982 as an How did you get involved with the Parks Service? entry-level ranger at Kings Mountain State Park. When I grew up in Greenville at the base of the Blue Ridge he retired in August of 2018, he left behi nd a legacy Mountains and was always attracted to the outdoors. I of revitalization and sweeping improvements to park spent a lot of time at Table Rock State Park camping, stewardship and service. We sat down with him to talk hiking, and swimming. I caught that itch very young. about his career highlights, his love for South Carolina, and his plans for the future. The thing about "park people" — they not only like the outdoors, they like people, too. So I was attracted to How’s retirement? What are you up to now? that profession. I love South Carolina and I love our state parks. I love our lands and what defines us as a people. People ask me what I'm doing now that I’m retired, and my first answer is that I have failed retirement miserably. Why are state parks so important to the Upstate? I’m continuing to work for conservation through special projects with the SC Department of Parks and Recreation Not only are parks beautiful places that we visit to and Tourism, and through my role at Clemson University reconnect and to recharge our batteries, they also play as a Professor of Practice in the Parks, Recreation and an economic role in the quality of life that we cherish Tourism Management School. Hopefully I’ll be able to here in the Upstate. keep active and engaged in the conservation of public State Parks are truly economic engines for their local access and public lands. communities. They provide green infrastructure that

— 12 — CONSERVATION CONVERSATION sustains economic development. Sometimes parks are the tourism asset for their region. That’s why it’s critically important to manage beyond the gates of a park — to engage in the community and to showcase the park’s economic benefit.

What was your focus during your time in the Parks Service? By the time I took a leadership role, one of the pressing issues was deferred maintenance needs, especially infrastructure. We focused really hard on those infrastructure needs, especially some older buildings from the Civilian Conservation Corps era (1933 to 1942). So we worked on places like Table Rock Lodge, Oconee cabins, Poinsett cabins, Myrtle Beach cabins, and so on.

We also worked on a more sustainable model for funding. Funding is always an issue for government, but in particular for parks. We worked on a model of self sufficiency, which has been a very successful model.

You’ve been a strong voice for conservation and land protection. Can you talk about how your mission has overlapped with Upstate Forever’s? I’ve been very proud of the land protection we’ve been able to do throughout the state, particularly in the Upstate. We’ve had great land protection projects with Upstate Forever, Naturaland Trust, and other conservation groups.

Upstate Forever has really engaged the community in the importance of conservation. It’s not just about “conservation”— it’s about economic prosperity and quality of life. Organizations like Upstate Forever ensure we’re able to protect and defend the things that identify us as the people of South Carolina.

Every time I come back home to Greenville, and I hit that part of I-385 right where the water tower is, and I look out to the mountains and Phil Gaines see that Blue Wall, it feels like coming home. There’s just nothing like it. Organizations like Upstate Forever ensure that view and the natural things within it will always be protected for this and future generations.

What successes are you most proud of? You know, many people have asked me that — what my legacy will be, what I’m most proud of. There’s tangible things like the improvements to facilities like Table Rock and Oconee, building on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps. I’m pretty proud of those improvements. I’m also proud of our land protection efforts.

But the legacy I hope I will leave is this: there’s a new generation of Phil Gaines park ranger that is engaged and empowered to take this outdoor Phil Gaines conservation ethic into the future. Parks and conservation are not only about this generation, they’re about future generations. It’s about impacting people who aren’t even born yet.

I was very fortunate to “stand on the shoulders of giants before me,” as Isaac Newton would say. So hopefully I’ve done my part to inspire, engage, and empower a new generation of park and conservation leaders. That’s the legacy I’m most proud of.

Follow Phil's adventures on Instagram: @therangerphil

— 13 — Every Last Acre on Earth

This is a shortened version of an essay by Dennis Chastain, award-winning outdoor writer and recipient of the Extraordinary Achievement Award at the 2019 ForeverGreen Luncheon [SEE PAGE 4]. You can read the essay in its entirety at upstateforever.org/last

It happens to everyone at one time The rolling, heavily-textured, green, or another. You hear a line in a song gray and brown patchwork lay and you can’t get it out of your head. before us like a finely detailed Or maybe you read a passage in a landscape painting by one of the book and it just lingers in the back of grand masters. your brain, sometimes for weeks or I told Tommy that I had been months. climbing Pinnacle, the adjacent It could be something someone mountain, for more than 30 years said in a casual conversation that and it seemed that every year the brings a troublesome issue into signs of civilization keep creeping sharp focus, and then it hovers in the closer and closer to the mountain. deep recesses of your mind like an “Over on Pinnacle,” I recall telling ominous storm cloud looming over Tommy, “I try to get up to my the horizon. That’s what happened favorite hunting spot before first to me several years ago and I can’t light, right at the break of dawn.” quit thinking about it. According to family tradition, it is We were sitting cross-legged up on also the place my great-grandfather, top of Table Rock, that grand granite “Big Ab” Chastain, hunted when he dome in the mountains of northern was a young man. The spot up near Pickens County, which has long been the top of the mountain that we one of the most prominent and most both chose as our favorite hunting cherished natural features in the lair is a relatively flat, boulder-strewn Palmetto State. patch of woods enclosed by steep cliffs and ridges. I call it very simply, I was up there with my long-time The Pretty Place. friend Tommy Charles, a now- retired archaeologist. We had spent Part of the appeal of standing the morning poking and probing there in that little sanctified spot of around the cliffs and exposed rock hardwood forest is that it provides outcroppings looking for ancient a treasured link between me and etchings in the stone, prehistoric my great-grandfather, whom I never petroglyphs that could well be the knew, but nevertheless consider a last vestiges of a largely unknown, kindred spirit. undocumented people who once Every time I go up there, in the last called this place home. predawn minutes before the glowing

— 14 — Trust Mac Stone/Naturaland “For those of us who cherish the charming rural landscape, and the woods and wild places, our world has once again shrunk before our very eyes.”

— DENNIS CHASTAIN

Mac Stone/Naturaland Trust

sun peeks up from the distant horizon The reason that otherwise predictable, it is now rapid, episodic, casting its bold white light on the unremarkable question haunts me is largely unplanned and almost totally landscape, I take a moment to turn the fact that I don’t know the answer. unpredictable. around and look through the dark And because I don’t know the answer, This means we are now gobbling up woods to the East where I can see I have to wonder: Are there any real thousands of acres of farmlands and the lights in the tallest buildings in limits on development, the conversion woodlands each day with little time downtown Greenville, along with the of open rural spaces and wild lands to react, little time to do adequate twinkling street lights of the various into housing developments, gated planning to accommodate the new communities, neighborhoods and communities, commercial districts land use paradigm. housing developments of Berea, and industrial sites? Who knows? Easley, Dacusville, and Pickens. For those of us who cherish the Maybe there really are no limits charming rural landscape, and the “I guess if I live long enough,” I said on growth. Maybe we really will woods and wild places, our world has wistfully, “those lights will eventually eventually develop every last acre on once again shrunk before our very be right up here at the foot of the earth; maybe not in my lifetime, but eyes. mountain where my ancestors have eventually. That prospect haunts me, been living in scattered cabins and Where are the wildlife going to live? scares me beyond comprehension, homesteads for two hundred years. It And where are we humans going to and drives me to distraction. breaks my heart.” go to seek solitude, to recharge our Here is what I know. I know that batteries, or maybe just to marvel Tommy was surprisingly silent for a development is directly related at the wonder and splendor of the moment as if maybe he had not heard to growth and nothing in nature natural world, and restore our city- me, but then, staring straight off grows forever. Sadly, however, the weary souls? Where are we going to toward the distant horizon, he posed rules of nature don’t apply here. go, indeed? And I am left wondering, the question that still haunts me, “Are While growth has historically been are we just going to develop every we just going to develop every last relatively slow, regular, planned and last acre on earth? acre on earth?”

­— 15 — NEWS

BOARD UPDATE Congratulations to new board chair Joe Lesesne

Many thanks to Mark Taylor for serving as A longtime leader in Spartanburg and the state Upstate Forever’s Board Chair for the past two as a whole, Joe served as president of Wofford years. Mark is the president of SynTerra and College for 28 years, from 1972 until 2000. has been involved with Upstate Forever since it Joe has chaired the boards of the Spartanburg was formed in 1998. Area Chamber of Commerce, the Spartanburg Mark Taylor Along with Brad Wyche, Mark has also co- County Foundation, and the South Carolina chaired the Crossroads Campaign Steering Department of Natural Resources. He has served Committee for the past year, and has been on the Upstate Forever Board since 2004. integral to its success. He will remain on the We’re grateful for his willingness to share his board but has passed the reins to our new experience and leadership as Upstate Forever’s chair, Joe Lesesne. new board chair! Joe Lesesne NEW BOARD MEMBERS For full bios, visit upstateforever.org/board

John Keith Gaye Sprague Dr. John Keith is an orthopedic surgeon A native of Anderson, Gaye is the owner who has served as Chief of Staff at Mary and principal of Sprague & Sprague Black Hospital and as an Associate Consulting Engineers in Greenville. Clinical Professor at MUSC. He is a tennis Gaye served as one of two at-large player and skier, a committed husband, representatives on Greenville City a devoted father, a former Eagle Scout, Council from 2009-2017 working to make Tarheel, and a Wofford Hall of Famer. Greenville a thriving and sustainable community with a high quality of life. Emelyn Jones Emelyn has an impressive history Neal Workman of community involvement with Neal is a South Carolina business leader, organizations like Meals on Wheels, philanthropist and founder of Trehel Junior League of Greenville, and Corporation. He has served as chairman Greenville County Legal Auxiliary. She of Ten at the Top, and has also devoted lives at Lake Keowee with her husband time to organizations like the Anderson Neil, and has hiked to all 31 waterfalls in Chamber of Commerce and the SC South Carolina. National Heritage Corridor.

A BIRD'S EYE VIEW

UF Executive Director Andrea Cooper snapped this photo of Table Rock on a recent flight over northern Greenville and Pickens Counties with SouthWings pilot Hap Endler.

Headquartered in Asheville, SouthWings is a fantastic nonprofit organization that protects and restores southeast ecosystems through flight. Flights help us identify problems we can't access on the ground. We've worked with them to monitor construction on the Dominion Pipeline and to assess critical areas like watersheds and forests.

Thank you, SouthWings! Visit their website at southwings.org — 16 — NEWS

LAND PROTECTION Hundreds of additional acres protected on Paris Mountain — with more to come

By Scott Park LAND CONSERVATION DIRECTOR [email protected]

A natural respite just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Greenville, Paris Mountain has long been a treasured retreat for many Upstate residents.

However, due to the County's rapid population growth and the area's scenic appeal, Paris Mountain has experienced increasing development pressure in recent years. If not managed thoughtfully, unbridled development could forever destroy the character of this Upstate Forever protects 465 acres across six Greenville County icon. properties on Paris Mountain.

Fortunately, because of ongoing efforts to protect Photo: Russ Ethridge this beloved landmark — by Upstate Forever, partner conservation organizations, and dedicated community the scenic views, natural habitat, and healthy streams that residents — hundreds of acres of protected lands have are so integral to the mountain's beauty. been added to the area over the past year, including two We are grateful for the continued support of the properties that will ultimately expand Paris Mountain community and local residents as we pursue land State Park. conservation opportunities on Paris Mountain, as well Upstate Forever's nationally-accredited land trust has been as the support of our partners at Naturaland Trust, Paris protecting land on the mountain since 2003. In 2018 alone, Mountain State Park Friends, and the South Carolina our team worked to secure three additional conservation Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. easements in the area, totaling over 230 acres. We look forward to continuing this work together and These additions bring the total amount of land have plans to secure additional tracts on Paris Mountain permanently protected by Upstate Forever on Paris over the next few years. Mountain to six properties and more than 465 acres.

The newly protected land provides invaluable natural habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants, including eighteen threatened or endangered species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and plants. Paris Mountain Residents can also look forward to expanded recreation State Park access and potentially more trails in Paris Mountain State Furman Park once the two properties are fully transferred to the University Parks Service and are open to the public.

Lands protected by these conservation easements will dramatically impact the future of residential development Downtown Greenville on Paris Mountain. Because of zoning regulations, the addition of conservation easements will significantly Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri reduce the number of additional residential subdivisions Two recently protected properties (shownKorea, Esri (Thailand), in NGCC,yellow) © OpenStreetMap will contributors, be and the GIS User Community added to the park in the near future. We will let you know approved for development on Paris Mountain. This protects when they are open to the public!

— 17 — NEWS

ENERGY & STATE POLICY Overfl ow crowds at all three Duke rate case hearings

Upstate Forever works at the state and local level to encourage clean renewable energy, energy storage, and energy efficiency in the most flexible and cost-effective manner possible. To that end, we have partnered with the Southern Environmental Law Center, the NAACP, and the Coastal Conservation League to intervene in Duke Energy's current rate cases.

Duke's proposed tripling of the base facilities charge — the fee you pay before you turn on a single switch — strongly discourages energy efficiency and solar, and disproportionately harms the lowest users (usually the elderly and low income customers).

About 1,000 Upstate customers attended the three-night hearings the Public Service Commission (PSC) held in March in Spartanburg, Anderson and Greenville.

After these hearings, Duke agreed to drop the proposed base facilities charge of $28 down to $11.96. This is still a 44% increase from the current $8.29, and they continue to insist on their current revenue requirement and flawed methodology. Therefore, our Top: A full house at the Anderson County meeting. parties will continue to participate in the PSC proceeding. A final Bottom: Meet the attorneys from SELC handling order will be issued no later than May 8. the Duke rate case - (left to right) David Neal, Stinson Ferguson, and Gudrun Thompson Follow Upstate Forever on Facebook to stay updated on this issue

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— 18 — 2018 DONORS

THE WYCHE SOCIETY Membership in the Wyche Society is open to all who support Upstate Forever annually at a level of $2,500 or above. To join, email Aldon Knight, Director of Development and Community Relations, at [email protected]

MOUNTAIN BRIDGE Lee & Anne Kester STEWARD Dr. & Mrs. Howland Crosswell $1 million+ Ross & MK Kester $5,000 - $9,999 Ken & Lindsey Deon Anonymous - In Memory of Thomas & Sandra Kester ARJWS Dick & Dayna Elliott Marjorie E. Schmidt Startex Jackson Wellford Duncan BDV Investments LLC Nathan & Mary Beth Galbreath Water District Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Inc. Clark & Katie Gallivan BLUE RIDGE Mark & Starla Taylor Dority & Manning Gally & Fielding Gallivan $500,000 - $999,999 Duke Energy Foundation Jeff & Nancy Giguere Glenn & Heather Hilliard GUARDIAN Greater Greenville Lochrane Grant $10,000-$24,999 Association of Realtors Greene, Finney & Horton LLP Anonymous Greenville Water City of Greenville $100,000 - $249,999 Paul & Judith Aughtry Imtiaz & Mary Haque Bobby & Becky Hartness SC DHEC BNY Mellon Erwin & Nancy Maddrey Paul & Sara Lehner Brad Wyche & Diane Smock Genevieve Manly Community Foundation of Mast General Store Inc Greenville, Inc. McDanel Land Foundation Nachman Norwood & Parrott GREENBELT Wealth Management Consultancy Andrea & Edwin Cooper Carlton & Brenda Owen $50,000 - $99,999 Cindy & Jack Plating Roger & Marianna Habisreutinger Piedmont Natural Gas Renewable Water Resources Anonymous The Priester Foundation John & Priscilla Hagins ScanSource The Daniel-Mickel Foundation Norman & Jo Pulliam Doug & Ren Harper Bart & Stephanie Schmidt Greenville Health System Robert & Christina Rogers Emelyn & Neil Jones Minor & Hal Shaw Hollingsworth Funds, Inc. William & Elizabeth Kehl Wade H. Sherard, III The Turner Foundation CONSERVATOR Michelin North America $2,500 - $4,999 Smoak PR VISIONARY Milliken & Company The Arcadia Foundation, C/O SynTerra Sciences & Engineering Wells Fargo $25,000-$49,999 Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, Inc. Jack & Jane Turner Balmer Foundation, Inc. Adam & Liz Tyson Kathie & Jim Barr Rockefeller Family Fund, Inc. Sherry & Richard Barrett Lanny Webster Lillian Darby Bruce K. Rowland Robert & Lisa Bezzeg Whole Foods Market Fujifilm Manufacturing USA, Inc. Woodruff-Roebuck Water District Dan & Sally Coenen Charles Wofford & Jolley Foundation Mimi Wyche & Davis Enloe Judy Cromwell Nancy Thomas

SUSTAINER ($1,000 - $2,499) AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA Leroy & Carrie Gordon Katie & Rob Howell Linda Dowd Newman Craig Stuckey Dennis & Judith Allen Christine Graham Ann Jaedicke Leon & Barbara Patterson Thomas & Nancy Taylor Neil Batavia Rob & Marie Gregory Mary Etta Johnston Margaret Ellis Pearce Trehel Corporation John Bissell Habitat for Humanity John & Karen Keith Marshall & Barbara Pickens United Community Banks Boiling Springs Business Pat & Mary Lou Hartness Linda Ketelaar Piedmont Health Foundation John & Janne Vann Association Sean & Courtney Hartness Laurens County Water & Sewer Piney Mountain Bike Lounge VisitGreenvilleSC Jerry & Celia Cogdell Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA, Commission Propel HR, Inc Madelon P. Wallace Dr. Stanley Crowe Stephanie Harrell Laurens Electric Cooperative Brooke & Julian Reed Lindsay Webster Jeannie Croxton Joan & William Herlong John & Stacy McBride The Honorable Richard Riley Wilson Farms Company, LLC Charles & Libby Dalton Frank & Anne Holleman Henry McCullough & Merietta Miriam Shelden & Lou Kinsey Wyche Law Firm James W. Davis, Jr. Wayne & Valerie Hollinger McKenzie David & Angela H Shi William & Beth Fuller Tee & Sherry Hooper Dr. Lee Meeder Betty Stall , Shi Center Laurie Host Rachelle & Charles Mickel Jim & Emelia Stephenson for Sustainability

BENEFACTOR ($500- $999)

The Airey Law Firm Ltd. Co. Nathaniel & Eleanor Dunlap Half-Moon Outfitters Wood & Janice Lay Nicola Page Reid Thomas James & Karen Akerhielm Robert & Martha Erwin James & Elizabeth Haswell Dr. Joab & Ruth Lesesne, Jr Dabney Peeples Union Bank Foundation American Institute of Sam & Meg Erwin Francis & Kellen Heidt Martha Louise Lewis Page & Joe Petty Jeannine Varenhorst Architects Dr. William B. Evins Emily Hitchcock & Dickey Gowin Heather Lyndon David Phipps Walker Smith Bill & Kerry Bannister Steve & Abby Fowler William & Emily Holt Frank & Sara Mansbach James & Jane Price Bogue & Bonnie Wallin Jay & Kelley Barnhardt The Furman Company Terry & Kathy Huggins Don & Kay McClure Adam Quattlebaum The Westin Poinsett The Benevity Community Lowrie & Margaret Glasgow Joseph & Sandra James Jill & Phillip McCreight Ted & Karen Ramsaur Thomas & Susan White Impact Fund Mark & Lura Godfrey Kristine Jensen Jane McCutcheon William & Jean Schmidt Joseph & June Yanick Ada Lea Birnie James & Patti Grantham Jason & Amy Johnston Tom & Nan McDaniel Herman Senter & Thelma Miller Jim & Margaret Young Roberta Boman Greenville Housing Fund Scott & Kim Johnston Foster & Murray McKissick Stephen & Allison Spinks Steven Zahn & Teri Lukin Zahn Wade Crow, Crow & Bulman Richard & Jean Greer Michael & Joan Kellett Bern & Candis McPheely Edward & Stella Stall Engineering Mary Simms Gregory Lake Keowee Source Water Mary Louise Mims Mac & Hannah Stone Howard & Kay Daniel Allen & Nicolette Grumbine Protection Team Stephen & Heather Nix Michael & Joelle Teachey Eric & Sara Dellinger Dexter & Marcy Hagy Charles & Virginia Lane Jonathan & Susanne Norwood Arlene & Raymond Teaster ­— 19 — 2018 DONORS Gifts under $500

Don & Margaret Adams Bruce Brown & Lynne Jim & Amy Cuny Tim Finley Mike Hammig Joey & Chong Jordan Rob Mayer L.B. & Peggy Adams Shackelford Mark Johnston & Susan Nick Fisher George Hammond & Jon Rene Josey Patti McAbee & Tommy Michael & Robin Gail Brownlee Cyr Nancy Fitzer Sonya Varea John & Holly Karns Eison Aleksinas Dan Bryant D Haynsworth Garden Carey Fleming Viktor & Mireille Hanuska Charles & Margaret Kay William McAndrew Cliatt & Elizabeth Earl & Nancy Bryant Club George & Sarah Fletcher Joseph & Regina Harber Andrew & Sofia Kearns George E. McCall Alewine Robert & Leigh Ann Michael & Peggy Daniel Michael Forman Sandra Hardaway Jeanette Morales Larry & Rachel McCalla Gilbert & Barbara Allen Bryant Karen Daniels Barbara Foster Bill & Eleanor Hare Keepers Jackson & Pamela Michael Allen Benjamin Burdette Rick & Rita Danner Stephen & Joyce Foster Jane & Michael Harlin Virginia Hagan Kelly McCarter Allison Revan Lyle & Marilyn Burgmann Warren & Gayle Darby Clyde & Deborah Fowler Mark Harmon Sarah & Bates Kennedy Nathan & Peggy McClure Alexander & Carol Wes & Karen Burnett David & Pamela Datwyler John C Franklin Seth Harrison T. Keyser Michael & Arcada McCoy Alperin Michael & Amy Burns Daniel & Sue Davis Larry & Elaine Fredendall John Hartz Martin & Lauren Kindred David & Laura Billy Altman & Joanna Jim Buschur & Genny Hill Emily Davis David Freedman Cecelia Hawkins Tom & Kaye King McCutchen Angle Alan & Janie Butcher Gary C. Davis & Dail Allen & Madeline Freeman Jason Hayden Graydon Kingsland Sr Anthony McDade David Amberg Chalmers & Mary Butler Mengelkoch William H. Frye Suzanne M Haynsworth Diane & Butch Kirven Donald McDonald Anderson County Stephen & Sarah Butler Dorothy Day Ann Funderburk Jean Hays Deborah & Chris Klasing Katherine McDonald Carl Anderson Dr. William D. Byars Robert & Dianne Deal Earle & Linda Furman Joella Helmers Jack & Gretchen Klein Richard & Patricia Scott & Melissa Anderson Brant & Judy Bynum Karine Debaty Francoise Fussell Michael Henderson Aldon & Anna Knight McDonald William Anderson Jon Caime Nancy E. De Forge Clifford F. Gaddy Jr Sarah & Michael Bob Knight Victoria McGinnis William & Barbara Stephen Cain Mary Margaret Delap Tommy & Kathryn Gailey Hesshaus Marian & Lon Knight Laura & Chris McGrady Anderson Joe & Naomi Campbell Louis Brand & Debra James & Nancy Gaines Marvin & Pollyann Evelyn Kochansky Diana Mcgraw Ben & Caroline Donna & Pete Cantrell Desalle Brooks & Carol Gallagher Hevener Wade Kolb Caroline McIntyre Ansbacher Rich Caplan Glenna & Don Descy Mills & Carol Anne Gayle Hewitt Don & BJ Koonce Jane McLamarrah & Arkwright Foundation Claire Carey Kathleen Deveix Gallivan Dave & Shirley Manfred & Jane Kramer Michael Kohl The Armstrong Law Firm Cynthia Carlisle & Robert Joy & Cameron Dickerson David Gallup Hildebrand Joan Krech Edward T. & Fayssoux John & Anne Arrington Bixler Richard & Joyce Dillard Katherine Galofski Joe & Ann Hilliard Craig Krieger McLean Robert Ashcraft Virginia & Gerald Carner Kelly & Nancie Dixon John Gardner JB Hines III Marty & Liz Kuemmerer Gina McLellan Glen & Pamela Ashley Richard & Bonnie Carr Pete & Jodi Dodd Eddie & Irene Garrison Walter & Carol Hinton Paul & Betty Kuhnert Drs. Ansel & Irene Lou Astle Sandra Brooks Carr Julian & Jean Dority John & Kathie Garton Tom & Joanne Melinda LaFoy McMakin Gary Aten Harrold & Beth Carson Douglas Dorman Michael & Barbara Hochheimer Steven Lammert McMillan Pazdan Smith, David & Paige Augspurger Donna Cart Michael Douglas Gauderer Jeff & Lucy Hoffman Tony Lancelot LLC Dhara Baiden Amy Cassidy Mike & Lisa Downing GE United Way Bonnie Holaday John & Mary Landers Germaine McSwain Emily Bailey John & Naoma Cathey Mary Margaret Dragoun Campaign LeAnne & Ed Holcombe Christopher Lane Rex & Wanda Meade Robert & Judy Michael Caudill & Julia Rachel Drake Betsy George Elisabeth Holleman Josephine & Eddie Laney Dr. & Mrs. Marshall L. Bainbridge Fuog Caudill Richard & Hedy Dreskin Roddey E. Gettys, III Erika & David Hollis Jerry & Cynthia Larson Meadors III Peggy Baker Dr. & Mrs. John E. Cebe Jason Van Driesche Steven & Lydia Gibson Michael & Ann Holmes Tom & Gina Latham Reverend Jeffrey Stanley & Paula Baker Sam Cely Martha & John Duggan Mike & Ann Giese Virginia & Penn Raymond H. Laub Meadowcroft Charles & Mallory Ballard Charles & Marieke John & Elizabeth Dullea William Gignalliat Holsapple, Jr Maurie Lawrence William & Catherine Julie Ball Chancellor Elise & Bradun Dunbar Dr. John Gilpin Myrta & David Holt Jeffrey & Mary Lawson Mebane Kara Ball Lynn Chandler David Duncan Perry Gilreath Bill & Grace Holzhauer Helen E. League Ralph & Pam Melbourne Kay Barrett Matthew & Elsbeth Dinks Dupree Chris & Janis Giordanelli Evelyn Hooper Terrell & Debra Leeke Stephen & Patricia Ned & Christy Barrett Chaney Larry & Cecile Dyck Shirley Glancy Dwight & Mary Ann Eunice Lehmacher Melsheimer Katherine Bates Steven A. Chapp Jordan & Maryanne Earle Ernest Glenn Hotchkiss Andrew Leigh & Sheila Laurel & John Melson Jennifer J. Bausman Dennis & Jane Chastain Perry & Rebecca Earle Lillian Glenn Katie & David Hottel O'Grady Irwin Earl Melton Jerry & Sandy Beck John Chastain Eastside Neighborhood Larry & Diane Gluck Paul & Fran Houmann Gregory & Candice Lewis Corey & Susan Melvin Dr. Robert Becker June Chastain Alliance, c/o Eric David & Susan Goldsmith Marie A Hovland Lorine Lewis Michael & Kristen Meng David & Margaret Beisser Charles & Sharon Cherry Thompson Ginger & Matt Goldsmith Bob & Beverly Howard Herbert & Dagmar Merrill Lynch Ladson & Susan Berry Stephen & Linda Cherry Alice Eberhardt Nancy & Paul Goldsmith Delmer & Kathy Howell Lindsay Marc Michalovsky Phil & Jay Betette Howard D. Childs Emily Edwards Dana & Ismario Gonzalez Bill & Pat Howle Sara M Lindsay Rick & Chita Middleton Peter & Debra Biddle M E Christopherson Janice Edwards, DBA Edwin & Peggy Good, Jr Jun Hu Bryan Little, Jr Curtis & Barbara Miles Bishop Lawn & Denis & Christa Church Classic Cuts Robert & Harriet Gooding Connie Hudson Kathy & Robert Lloyd Don & Mary Miles Landscape LLC John & Alice Claggett Jim Edwards & Jane Chew Gale & Dexter Goodwin Jim Hudson Matthew Lockhart Judith B. Millar Chad & Amy Bishop Larry & Sylvia Clanton Tommy B Edwards Larry D Gosnell Stephen & Ann Huffaker Ray A Lockhart Anne & John Miller Albert & Marian Blackwell Don Clardy Michael Egger James & Laura Gossett Kevin & Robbie Hughes Dr. Susan Loeb Rebecca Miller Scott & Ann Blackwell Gary & Pat Clary Gary & Kacey Brad & Meredith Gower Murray & Martha Hughes Edward & Brooks John & Angela Millon Jean Blair City of Clemson Eichelberger Roger Gower Thomas & Marie Hughes Lominack Richard & Isabel Millward Karen Blake Timothy & Nan Cleveland Nathan & Sugie Einstein Willingham & Ann Jane Hughston Langdon & Jessie Long Dewitt & Betsy Miner James & Betsy Dale & Bonnie Clinbeard Carole Eisen Graben Gaines Huguley Frances & George Andrew & Karen Mitchell Bloodworth Dr. Lucius Cline Richard Elliott & Garnett William & Terri Graham Mr & Mrs Joseph J Loudon Robert & Karen Mitchell David Blumberg & Elliott Close Conaway Laura Grant Hunter, III Christopher Loveless Terry Mitchell & Barbara Merridee Harper Michael & Joan Close Cliff Ellis William & Margarit Gray Peter Van Den Hurk Stephen & Carroll Luck Barnes Lillian Boatwright Andrew & Maureen Robert & Karen Ellis John & Marilyn Green Bill & Dawn Husk Stanley & Ann Lukawecki Lynda Molnar John V Boehme Coburn Robert E. Elmore, Jr. Lynn & Doug Greenlaw Christopher & Deirdre Mark Lurey & Arden Levy Lesley Moore & David Diane Bohlander Max & Diane Cochran Rachel Hopp & Jessica Greenville Track Club Hutton Luther & Marcia Lyle Black Maxcy & Sylvia Boineau Emily Cohan Emami Laurie Gregory Dean & Suzanna Hybl Evelyn Lyles Patrick & Linda Morgan Michael & Erica Boje- Shelby Cohen Douglas & Diane Ervin Jon Grier Catherine Inabnit Sarah R Lytle Rob & Stephanie Morgan Estes Diane Coiner W R & D K Eskridge Banks & Lynn Griffith Ivester Von Lehe Farms M Judson LLC Steven & Phyllis Morgan Terry Bollhoefer Martha & Ronald Cole Michelle Espada Catherine Hackett Roy & Margaret Ivey Billy & Katherine Mabry Mary Katherine Muller Charles Bolt Don Collins Dwaine & Lucy Eubanks Cary Hall JA / AFS Carlton & Belinda Manley Joyce P Murphy Ralph & Becky Bouton The Conestee Foundation Jennifer Evans Dave & Laurie Hall Patrick Jackson Chris & Ashley Manley Ramona Murphy Linda Bowie Congregation B'nai Israel John & Ann Evans Don & Martha Nadler Hall Tracey Leigh Jackson Michael & Karen Manley Larry & Lynne Nachman Joel Boylan & Rowena Bradford & Virginia Paula & Arnie Eversole Fred & Bernie Hall John Jay James, II Drs. Ken & Janet Marsh Henry Nechemias & Sim Connett Kathleen Fagan & Ron Gregory Hall Terry & Lisa Janes Kenneth Marshall & Valerie Marcil William & Christine John & Susan Conway Hedrick Ben & Nina Hallissy Catherine Jankowsky Martha File Woody Needham Brafford Randy & Mary Lynn Dave Farmer & Anna Jennifer Hall Joseph & Ann Jennings Jean Martin Ralph Neisler Brandy Amidon, CPA LLC Conway Jones Lisa & Jeff Hallo Lawrence & Anne Michael & Catherine Jim Newcome & Vivian Mark Brewton Ernest W. Cooler III Russell Farr Steve & Patricia Hall Jennings Martin Fisher William & Virginia James & Dorothy Corey Steven & Elouise Elizabeth S. Halpin Nancy Jennings Nicole Martin Nicholson, Meredith, & Bridwell Cokey & Lee Cory Faulkner Glen & Jeanine Halva- Kinard & Carol Johnson Bob & Margaret Massing Anderson, LLC Frederick Briggs David & Anne Mark Fellers Neubauer Mark & Tricia Johnson Rev. Al Masters Sally Nicholson Michele Brinn Cottingham Robert Fennell Walt Willard & Claire Thomas & Anne Johnson Michael & Karen Mathers Peter & Jane Nicol Sam & Sarah Britt Thomas Moore Craig Jerry & Natalia Ferlauto Hamanaka William & Kathryn Louis & Carolyn Mathis Kenneth Nix Elaine Brockman Gordon & Kathy Crain Luci Fernandez & Kevin Nancy Hamilton & Karl Johnson Patricia Matsen Barry & Elaine Nocks Michael & Lorraine Sandra Crandall Berry Sedlarz Henry & Mary Jolly Garland & Fleming Edgar & Stephanie Norris Brooks Cross Creek Timber LLC David Finger David C. Hammatt Judy Jones Mattox North Greenville Animal Becky Brown Kirbie Crowe Linda Finlay George P. Hammett Mary Margaret Jones Thomas & Roslyn Mauldin Hospital

While every effort is made to be accurate in our donor list, we regret that errors and omissions sometimes occur. Please contact Ava Thacker, Development Associate, at [email protected] with any corrections. Thank you! ­— 20 — NEWS

Ben & Marion Norwood Judith B. Scott Bill Twitty Conyers Norwood Jason Searle Greg Tyler Thomas Nowacki Barbara Sease Dennis Urell Ultra-rare plant habitat Mike Oakley Mark Sejman Harry & Josephine Ussery Jim & Crystal O'Connor Susan Sellheim Harriet & Philip Van Hale Suzanne O'Dell Chris Sermons Jeff VandeWeghe protected in Travelers Rest Peg & Ed O'Donoghue Benjamin H. Settle Marty Vankanegan Paul & Marjorie Ogren Kenneth & Martha Hugh & Barbara VantLeven Allan & Jac Oliver Severens Lee & Ivy Vartanian A 56-acre property in Travelers Rest once slated for James Oliver Ann M. Sharp Pamela Vaughn Elizabeth Owens Bill Sharpton Dev Vaz subdivision development has been acquired by the South James Owens William Shatten Thea & Ruud Veltman Jan Owings Eric Schaub Eric & Judy Verhoeven Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Louise Oxner Robert Shealy David & Jean Vinson Heritage Trust and added to the adjacent Blackwell Heritage Daniel Pannell Gordon B. Sherard, Jr. James & Linda Vissage, Jr. Scott & Dara Park Schneider Tree Care, Inc. John Wagner Preserve. Elizabeth Partee John Schroeder Stephanie & Kurt Wagner Partners for Active Living Pam & Harry Shucker Jennie Wakefield Hasmukh Patel Patricia Shufeldt Donald Walker Although Upstate Forever does not typically oppose Brooks & Adair Patterson Jack & Susan Shuler Fran & Keith Walker specific developments, we opposed this one because it Dwight & Liz Patterson Dorothy & William Signal John E. Wallace IV Stanley Pauls Ralph Sizemore Sandra Wallace would have seriously threatened the Heritage Preserve Michael & Lori Peck Bob & Dottie Smith Gene & Joy Waller Louise & Robert Peden Frances Smith Dyana C. Walters and the survival of the bunched arrowhead, an extremely Jordan Peeler Graham & Jill Smith Sharon Bennet & Billy rare plant only found in two counties: Henderson, NC and William Pelham Hal & Jennifer Smith Want James & Dorothy Pence Jeff & Sallie Smith Patty & Daniel Warner Greenville, SC. David Penniston Jenifer Smith & Tom Bolt Richard Watkins Kathleen Perry & Henry Stephen & Christina Smith Richard Webster Martini Suzannah S. Smith Thomas & Bonnie Webster This conservation success story is truly a testament to Ken & Chirinjev Peterson William & Rachel Smith James & Regina Weeks the dedication and collaboration of many partners and Karen Phillips John & Judy Snyder Ellen & Alan Weinberg Frank Phillips Kyle & Jennifer Snyder Lawrence & Irma stakeholders, including Naturaland Trust, SCDNR, Southern Reggie Phillips Albert B. Somers Weinstein Henry & Rebecca Philpot Richard & Doris Sommer Bennett L Wessinger Environmental Law Center, Senator Lindsey Graham’s Edward & Erica Pickering William & Ann Souders Andy & Catherine office, the SC Native Plant Society, the US Fish and Wildlife Donald & Jane Pilzer South Carolina Bar - CLE Westbrook Darren Poe Division Bruce Whelchel Service, and many passionate neighbors who were engaged Frank S. Poe, Jr Stephanie Southerland Danny & Sallie White Joe & Lesley Pollard Franklin & Sharon Sove David & Susan White throughout the process. Dr. Jack R. Postle Dr. & Mrs. David Spear Van Whitehead Sara Lynn & Jan Postma Anne Spence & Robert All Leslie Paula White The property will be managed by SCDNR as part of the Preserving Lake Gaye & Joel Sprague Alexandra F. Whitley Greenwood Christina Sprecher Kathy & Charlie Whitmire adjoining Blackwell Heritage Preserve, which now contains John Prior George & Betty Stack Nancy & Jeff Whitworth Kathryn Prochnow Russell & Susan Stall Carol Wickliffe 72 acres. Pete & Cathy Proner Mark & Patricia Stamey Stanley & Valerie Widener Laurie Pulver Leon & Geraldine Stenzel Dennis Wiese In addition, Greenville County has added regulations to Katie Rabe Gil L. Stewart Wildearth Landscaping John & Susan Rach Karen LaFleur Stewart David & Jean Wilder its planning code to give greater protection to sites like Cecelia Radford Sarah Stewart Col. William Wilder & Col. Stephanie & Clay Rainey Robbi Stokes Barbara Wilder this one. Upstate Forever is grateful for the tireless efforts G & Boo Ramage DeWitt & Carolyn Stone Reba N. Wilkins Alexander Ramsay Martin & Barbara Story Lee & Vicky Willard of everyone who worked to ensure the protection of this William & Allison Ranson Richard Strasburger Craig & Susan Williams important ecological area. Rita Rao Dr. Marian Strobel Gregory & Shannon Kathleen Raschiotto Marshall Stuart Williams Chris & DeeAnn Rasco James Stuckey Norman & Nancy Tim & Susan Reed Denise & Terhune Williamson Read the full article at upstateforever.org/blackwell Dr. & Mrs. Martin Remick Sudderth Robert E. Williams, Jr. Ellen Reneke Joyce & Art Sulger Franklin & Nancy Wilson William & Beth Renninger Supercuts Mike & Jane Wilson Robert & Elizabeth Amy Sutherland Irvin Winik Richardson Stuart & Candy Sutliff Winkler Group Rose Mary Ritchie Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Jeannette & Marshall Winn Shelley Robbins Grocery LLC John Wise Joseph Roberts William Taft Kate & Jeb Wofford Mark & Deborah Merike Tamm Toni & Jeff Wolf Robertson Thomas Tamrack Henry & Debbie Wood Martial & Amy Robichaud Karen & Aron Tannenbaum Priscilla Ann Woodside Coleman & Debra Elizabeth H Taylor Jon Wright Robinson Nancy Dew Taylor Joseph P. Wright William & Lucinda Rogers Martha Team David Wyche Thomas & Cathy Ronald Aristide & Jennifer Baxter & Paula Wynn Roger Ross Tessitore Bob & Carolyn Wynn Judy L. Roth Ava Thacker Stephen Yacobi Thomas & Phyllis Rouleau Nick & Emilie Theodore Christopher Yaroch Jack & Bettie Runnion Carter & Dixie Thomasson Robert & Mary Ellen John & Judith Russell Danny & Tonita Thompson Yeargin Jamie Rutledge Ted & Sidney Thompson Joseph & Kristine Yon Peter Rutledge Lucy & Thomas Tiller, Jr Kurt Young S.H. Carter Development, Clare Townes Laney Younts Inc. Laura J. Townes Bob & Linda Zavasnik Katie Sarbacker Lee Tracy & Louise Tracy T. Sam Ziady Brittany Sargent Harry & Norene Trantham Ronald & Beth Zweigoron Anne Sauvain Tom Triplitt Dr. Kaye S. Savage Jami Tripoli Bunched arrowhead is one of the rarest plants on Earth, found SC Conservation Credit Dean & Beverly Trytten only in Greenville County and Henderson County, NC. The federally Exchange Beverly & Dale Turner threatened plant species dwarf-flowered heartleaf is also present Edward & Fran Schmid Joe Turner on the now-protected site.

­—­ 21 — LEGACY SOCIETY

Impact the future through planned giving

"We admire how Upstate Forever brings together public and private partners to chart a path for responsible growth. Thoughtful stewardship of our natural resources has been critical to our community’s success and the future of our region depends on continued work in this area."

— JO & BOB HACKL, LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS

Join Jo and Bob in the Legacy Society by including Upstate Forever in your estate plans. Below are some ways to make a planned gift to Upstate Forever's endowment, ensuring we are able to continue our work for Jo and Bob Hackl generations of future Upstate residents.

What to give Your goal Your benefi ts

Estate tax charitable deduction Maintain control of your assets during life » Bequest Life use and ownership of your Make a gift to charity when you pass away » property

By making a testamentary gift of your retirement Gifts of » Avoid leaving family a taxable gift assets such as a gift from your IRA, 401k, 403b, pension Retirement Assets or other tax deferred plan, you will help further our work » Estate tax charitable deduction

» Income or estate tax deduction If your life insurance policy is no longer needed or will Gifts of no longer benefit your survivors consider making a » Income tax deductions for annual Insurance current or future gift to help further our mission contributions to help us maintain the policy

Pass on cash or property to your family/ make annual » Gift or estate tax deduction Charitable Lead gifts to charity in the future Trust (CLT) » Trust assets plus appreciation Avoid substantial gift or estate tax pass to family at a reduced cost

If you own appreciated real property (such as your » Avoid paying capital gains tax Gifts of home, vacation property, vacant land, farmland or ranch » Charitable income tax deduction Real Estate or commercial property), you can avoid paying capital gains tax by making a gift to us » Leave a lasting legacy

For more information, contact Aldon Knight, Director of Development, at [email protected] or (864) 250-0500, or visit our planned giving website at upstateforever.giftlegacy.com

— 22 — CROSSROADS CAMPAIGN Crossroads has launched! LEAD DONORS Our sincere thanks to all who joined us in March at

Zen Greenville as we celebrated the launch of the $7.5 MOUNTAIN BRIDGE SOCIETY GUARDIAN SOCIETY million Crossroads Campaign. Thanks to the generosity ($1M +) ($10,000 – 24,999) of many lead donors, we are well on our way to Anonymous In Memory of Jim & Karen Akerhielm meeting that goal. Marjorie E. Schmidt Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Help us protect the Upstate for generations to come. BLUE RIDGE SOCIETY Judy Cromwell Pledge at least $25 per year for three years or make ($500,000 – 999,999) Ken & Lindsay Deon a one-time gift of $50* to receive our limited edition Glenn & Heather Hilliard Gally & Fielding Gallivan Be the Upstate tee created in collaboration with local Nikki & Allen Grumbine outfitter Dapper Ink. HEADWATER SOCIETY ($250,000 – 499,999) Roger & Marianna To get your shirt, visit upstateforever.org/donate Brad Wyche & Diane Smock Habisreutinger John & Pris Hagins PIEDMONT SOCIETY Mary & Imtiaz Haque ($100,000 – 249,999) Em & Neil Jones James & Kathie Barr Charlie & Rachelle Mickel Mike & Laura Baur Walter & Betty Montgomery Carlton & Brenda Owen GREENBELT SOCIETY ($50,000 – 99,999) Leon & Barbara Patterson The Daniel-Mickel Upstate Forever Staff Foundation Campaign Duff & Margaret Bruce Mimi Wyche Hollingsworth Funds, Inc. STEWARD SOCIETY Bill & Libby Kehl ($5,000 – 9,999) Tom & Sandy Kester Charles & Libby Dalton Lee & Anne Kester Nathan & Mary Beth Ross & MK Kester Galbreath Limited Edition 'Be The Upstate' Tee Mark & Starla Taylor Frank & Anne Holleman *While supplies last. Back features UF logo Created in partnership with Dapper Ink Velda & Jackson Hughes VISIONARY SOCIETY Hank McCullough & ($25,000 – 49,999) Merietta McKenzie About Crossroads: Anonymous Norman & Jo Pulliam Our region is at a crossroads, and we have an Bo & Judith Aughtry David & Angela Shi important decision to make. We can sit back and Andrea & Edwin Cooper Ben & Jaime Wall watch as our farms, forests and mountains are Bob & Martha Erwin CONSERVATOR SOCIETY paved over. We can do nothing as our waterways are Doug & Ren Harper ($2,500 – 4,999) polluted. Or we can band together to protect this Brice & Reid Hipp Dick & Dayna Elliott land we call home and promote positive, responsible Erwin & Nancy Maddrey John & Karen Keith growth. The choice is yours, and the time is now. Piedmont Natural Gas Cindy & Jack Plating SUSTAINER SOCIETY Your gift to the Crossroads Campaign will help: Bruce Rowland ($1,000 – 2,499) Jo & Bob Hackl » Permanently protect an additional 15,000 acres of Hal & Minor Shaw critical lands Bruce Snyder Joe & Sandy James Joe & Ruth Lesesne » Safeguard water quality and quantity Trehel Corporation Neal Workman Pamela Vaughn » Balance responsible growth and development with natural resource protection LEGACY SOCIETY (PLANNED GIFTS) » Engage a growing base of conservationists Anonymous David & Angela Shi » Provide sustainable funding for years to come Jo & Bob Hackl Alice M. Wald Ed Hall Brad Wyche & Diane Smock To learn more, visit upstateforever.org/crossroads Ed Krech Tommy & Harriet Wyche

— 23 — 507 Pettigru Street, Greenville, SC 29601 201 E. Broad Street, Suite 1C, Spartanburg, SC 29306 www.upstateforever.org

Please recycle when finished

Support the Crossroads Campaign

The Crossroads Campaign is our $7.5 million initiative to ensure the Upstate grows responsibly while protecting the critical lands, abundant waters, and unique character that make our region so special. Help us protect the Upstate for generations to come by making a pledge today!

To learn more, turn to the inside back cover or visit upstateforever.org/crossroads

Joey Maxwell (left) and Robert Hoskins (right) in Greenville County. JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY

Pacolet Milliken is pleased to support Upstate Forever in improving the quality of life for all Upstate residents.