Spring Tree Flowers

Despite historic successes, conservation efforts remain critical to protecting Upstate’s natural beauty

Source: Greenville News (September 1, 2022) The mountains and foothills of northwestern South Carolina are a place of singular beauty and abundant natural resources, causing people to flock here for centuries. That growth has exploded exponentially in recent decades and, if left unchecked, it has the potential to destroy the very things that drew people…

New park near Greenville opens as The Preserve at Lakewood between Mauldin and Conestee

March 4, 2022 (Source: Greenville News) With large tracts of land turning into subdivision seemingly overnight to accommodate the Upstate’s growth, the city of Mauldin is celebrating the grand opening of a 120-acre park that will forever keep green in Greenville. A ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at The Preserve at Lakewood, the DidierGroup’s second privately owned public…

As Florida lawmakers complete session, still time to preserve environment | Commentary

(April 13, 2021) Source: Orlando Sentinel / Author: Jay Exum — Conservation of natural lands through the Florida Forever program has protected wildlife habitat, areas of aquifer recharge, wetland systems that provide flood storage and wild land recreation in Florida’s most unique ecosystems. Until recently, governors and legislators from both parties have invested hundreds of…

COVID-19 Has Changed The Housing Market Forever. Here’s Where Americans Are Moving (And Why)

October 11, 2020 (Source: Forbes/ Peter Lane Taylor) – Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, more deep-seated, tectonic-sized questions beyond markets and interest rates are being asked this time around that no one really has the answers to yet—like will people feel safer living in the south and southwest where they can spend all year social…

Sunset through the trees

How Congress Can Improve Laws on Land Conservation

Source: The Hill/Robert Ramsay (September 18, 2020) Thankfully Congress has already taken action this year that will ensure more land is saved from development and available for recreational pursuits, but more remains to be done. Specifically, in July, Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act with bipartisan support, fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This…

Former Millstone Golf Course Turned Conservation Land Hosts The Back 9 Ultra Race for Elite Runners

(September 18, 2020) –  Greenville, SC – Upstate Ultra, a race and trail event organizer in Greenville, SC hosted an ultra event on The Preserve at RiverWest which represents 200+ acres of conserved property just three miles from downtown Main Street on Saturday, September 19, 2020. The 6-12-24 Hour Race was held at the former Millstone…