Conservation Leadership Spotlight: 100 Acres Protected in Southern Greenville County
Development pressure in southern Greenville County has been steadily increasing over the years, making the need to conserve what makes the Upstate so special increasingly important. Upstate Forever recognizes the need for land and water protection in Greenville County, and worked with the owners of Hereford Hill Farm to place 100 acres under a conservation easement, therefore protecting it in perpetuity from development.
This family-owned, active cattle ranch is a pristine example of the working lands that define the character of Upstate South Carolina. In addition to its expansive pasturelands, the property also has forests and bottomlands that provide high-quality habitat for numerous native species, and over 6,000 feet of stream bank on waterways that feed into the Saluda River. Protecting such substantial riverine acreage will help maintain water quality in the Saluda River watershed.
Protecting these valuable working lands would not be possible without support from funders such as the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the Upstate Land Conservation Fund, and the Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust. CVSC applauds Upstate Forever for its tireless work to make land and water protection like this possible.
CVSC also extends a special thank you to Representative Bruce Bannister (R, District 24) for his vote to support land and water protection through the South Carolina Conservation Bank. His consistent support at the state level helps ensure that the natural resources South Carolinians value most will be protected for generations to come, and his leadership as Ways & Means Chairman is essential to achieving the goal of protecting 10 million acres of valuable land and water habitat.
Continuing to secure protections for greenspace, waterways, and working lands in southern Greenville County will be vital to maintaining its Upstate character in the future. Growth and development must be carefully balanced with conservation of natural resources and preservation of working lands. With strong leadership at the statehouse, stable funding sources, and steadfast conservation partners, South Carolina can continue making strides toward meaningful resource protection in Greenville County while getting closer to the goal of protecting 10 million acres of land and water in South Carolina. Every acre counts and Representative Bannister’s leadership is critical.
CVSC thanks Upstate Forever, the generous funders, and Representative Bannister for working together to conserve the unique nature of the Upstate.
Learn more about Upstate Forever and all their exciting projects here: https://www.upstateforever.org/case-studies