Upstate Forever

“The taxpayer's articles and by-laws state that they are a membership organization.”

“Yes - approximately one third of the board are elected for three-year terms by the members at the annual meeting.”

“Yes, members approve changes to the by-laws at the annual meeting.”

“A draft copy of the return was emailed to all board members prior to filing. The board was given one week to review and comment on the form 990.”

“The executive committee regularly reviews, and ensures compliance with, the conflict of interest policy.”

“All compensation is reviewed and approved by the executive committee prior to submitting the budget to the board.”

“All compensation is reviewed and approved by the executive committee prior to submitting the budget to the board.”

“The governing documents are available upon request at the organization's office.”

“Conservations easements donated to the organization are recorded at a zero value in the statement of financial position, the statement of activities and the statement of functional expenses. Conservation easements that are purchased are recorded at a zero value in the statement of financial positon, and are shown as an expense in the statement of activities, statement of functional expenses and statement of cash flows. The funding source that enables the purchase of these easements is shown as a revenue in the statement of activities and staement of cash flows, resulting in a net zero effect on net assets.”

“Clean water in 2018, the clean water program collaborated with drinking water utilities in spartanburg, greenville and anderson counties in south carolina to develop source water protection plans in the tyger, pacolet and three & twenty creek wathersheds. These water protection plans help to protect these critical drinking water resources by addressing bacteria, sediment, and nutrient pollution. Served as a stakeholder on the state water planning process advisory committee in the development of a state of sc water plan. Led discussions with state and federal agencies to improve wetland and stream mitigation across the state. Assisted with the expansion of the sc adopt a stream through volunteer trainings and by providing equipment to volunteers for this citizen science monitoring program. Completed four blueway maps (paddle trail maps) available both online and in print form to encourage water recreation opportunities for the enoree, chauga, pacolet, and reedy rivers. Continued monitoring a utility company's compliance with a voluntary settlement agreement to remove coal ash ponds which threaten the saluda river. Collaborated with the reedy river water quality group to improve water quality in the reedy river watershed through local engagement. Provided comments to state and federal agencies regarding any permits with any potential impacts to water quality/quantity.”

“Land policy and planning and energy in 2018 land policy and planning facilitated a workshop series to educate elected officials on smarter land use policies. Coordinated advocacy efforts of transit and housing advocates, including co-hosting a greenville county housing summit. Engaged greenville county citizens in local land use planning processes. Supported better land use planning in spartanburg county. Assisted the city of landrum with efforts to advance land use policies to enact their recently adopted comprehensive plan. Successfully advocated for strengthened land development regulations in the city of clemson and supported adoption of an urban village zoning district in the city of mauldin. Also, energy staff created a "pipelines 101" webinar series and resource landing page to help communities battling gas pipelines and related issues.”

“Signing 125 conservation agreements that protect nearly 22,000 acres of critical lands in the region, such as additions to paris mountain state park in greenville, buffer lands to the clemson forest in pickens county, public access to falls park in the city of greenville, key tracts in the blue ridge escarpment, land along highway 11, and a number of beautiful farmlands that collectively help to preserve our greatly threatened natural heritage. Becoming the first land trust organization in south carolina to receive national accreditation playing an essential role in securing and opening greenville's ghs swamp rabbit trail and catalyzing an extension of the trail from downtown to cu- icar and continuing to play an active role to complete the long-term plan for the trail establishing and operating the greenville b-cycle bike-share program leading coordination of blueway trail mapping throughout sc and catalyzing river access across the upstate mobilizing public opposition to stop duke energy's proposed substation and 45-mile long transmission line across the foothills and blue ridge mountains of the upstate and western north carolina appealed a proposed 254-home subdivision that would have forever altered the character of glassy mountain, a pickens county icon, and worked with the landowners and community members to realize a conservation solution securing a voluntary agreement from duke energy to remove coal ash improperly stored along that saluda river assisting the southern environmental law center in a successful us 4th circuit appeal addressing the 2014 diesel spill in belton, sc successfully advocating for implementation of the federal court's consent decree to remove pcb-contaminated sediment and two dams on the twelve mile river stopping a proposed mega-landfill in spartanburg county and a coal ash landfill in pickens county and promoting waste reduction and recycling through collection events for household hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals releasing an eye-opening growth projection study for the upstate that shows what our region will look like in 2040 if current development patterns and policies remain unchanged managing one of the most comprehensive watershed studies ever undertaken in the country and leading implementation of many recommended solutions throughout the saluda-reedy watershed, resulting in significant water quality improvements which allow residents and industries to continue to use and enjoy lake greenwood advocating successfully for the enactment of hospitality taxes in greenville and spartanburg counties to fund parks and greenways creating and successfully advocating for the adoption of the stormwater banking program, a market-based initiative for cleaner water that provides incentives for better development in the city and county of greenville restoring nearly 3,000 feet of trout habitat in the south saluda river advocating successfully for the enactment of progressive local ordinances that effectively encourage more walkable communities, tree protection, stream buffers, clustered developments, big box stores, and parking lots, completing the leed platinum-certified renovation of our greenville office and introducing the earthcraft green building standard to south carolina through our "upstate house" project.”