Upstate Forever

The SC Conservation Coalition's 2025 Lobby Day & Oyster Roast is just 2 weeks away! What is Lobby Day, you might ask? Staff, supporters, and advocates from a statewide alliance of over 40 conservation organizations will convene at the SC Statehouse on Tuesday, February 25 to connect with elected officials and participate in the legislative process, then celebrate conservation with fellow advocates and partners. 🏛️ Lobby Day | 10:30 am - 2:00 pm | SC Statehouse Meet with legislators one-on-one in the lobby and make direct asks for their support of legislation and on conservation issues that directly affect you and your community. 🦪 Oyster Roast | 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm | 701 Whaley St, Columbia SC 29201 (Market Building) A gathering of staff, legislators, and community members to network and celebrate our collective impact at Lobby Day. We hope to see you there! To learn more & sign up for one or both events, click here: https://lnkd.in/ebEtR4GJ

Next week, Mable Owens Clarke will share the stories of Soapstone Baptist Church and the Liberia community in Pickens County in a Lunchbox Learning event at the Upcountry History Museum: 📆 Against All Odds: Stories from the Liberia Community and Soapstone Church and School Wednesday, February 19 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm Upcountry History Museum 540 Buncombe Street, Greenville, 29601 Tickets: upcountryhistory.org If you are unable to attend what will surely be an inspiring and illuminating discussion of local Black history, you can read Mable's story told in her own words on our blog: https://lnkd.in/e27NEB2z

Today we're wishing a happy anniversary to two members of the Upstate Forever team! Financial Director Joy Dickerson joined UF in 2016, bringing with her a background in public accounting in a variety of business sectors. Over the past 9 years, she has managed our organization's financial health, played an important role in staffing and human resources, and more — all while bringing an element of *joy* to finance reports, budgets, and spreadsheets. Also celebrating her anniversary today is Assistant Director of Development Grace Flaspoehler, who joined our team in 2022. Grace has become a crucial member of our Development team, liaising with UF's board members and donors, ensuring internal development operations run smoothly, forging relationships with community members, and more. We are grateful for all you do, Joy and Grace!

Looking for opportunities to engage with our work in 2025? We have two hands-on volunteer workdays just around the corner! Join us at Upper Shoals at Glendale, a protected property adjacent to the historic Glendale Mill, for a tree planting with TreesUpstate on Saturday, February 22. We'll return to the same site along Lawson's Fork Creek to plant native wildflowers and grasses on Wednesday, March 5 in partnership with The Tyger River Foundation and Audubon SC. You can find more details and register for one or both of these upcoming volunteer opportunities at upstateforever.org/events.

Please join us in wishing Executive Director Aldon Knight a happy 10th anniversary at Upstate Forever! Aldon joined UF in 2015 as Director of Development and Community Relations. In that role, he successfully established a major gift program, cultivated strategic planned giving, and orchestrated a successful capital campaign before assuming the role of Executive Director last year. Thank you for all you do, Aldon!

Please join us in wishing Communications Manager Megan Burton a happy UF anniversary! Megan joined Upstate Forever on this day in 2019. In her role, Megan keeps UF supporters informed about the successes of and challenges facing our conservation and advocacy work through digital and print communications, photography, and other content development. Thanks for all you do, Megan!

Please join us in wishing Clean Water Specialist Rebecca Wade a happy UF anniversary! Since joining Upstate Forever on this day in 2022, Rebecca has played an impactful role in our work to safeguard the Upstate's water resources by managing our clean water grants, advocating at the local and state level, and assisting homeowners in repairing failing septic systems and installing water quality improvement practices on agricultural lands. Thank you for all you do, Rebecca!

The first week of the 2025 South Carolina Legislative Session has concluded. Want to stay in-the-know? Be sure to sign up for our weekly Legislative Updates at upstateforever.org/email to stay informed on legislative actions that affect the Upstate’s natural resources and communities, and to receive opportunities to speak with legislators and meet fellow advocates.

Please join us in wishing Communications Coordinator Elizabeth Swails a happy UF anniversary! Elizabeth joined Upstate Forever on this day in 2022. She utilizes her love of language — fun fact: Elizabeth holds a PhD in English from the University of Georgia — and experience in higher education to find the most effective ways to distill the detailed nuances of our program work into understandable and actionable communications materials. Thank you for all you do, Elizabeth!

Please join us in wishing Land Policy Grassroots Specialist Tre’Dessa Smalls a happy first anniversary at Upstate Forever! Tre’Dessa utilizes her passion for grassroots advocacy to help communities focus on Land Planning & Policy issues that are plaguing them. In her role, Tre’Dessa places a special focus on underserved and underrepresented communities and works hard to elevate community members’ voices to create change. Thank you for all you do, Tre'Dessa!