How do you capture the majesty of the Upstate’s forests and mountains, and convey the importance of protecting fields, rivers and farms? Thanks to a $6,000 Capacity Building Grant from Community Foundation of Greenville, Upstate Forever has two new drones and a camera to take stunning images to help advance its vision of a healthy, prosperous Upstate.
Since its founding in 1998, the nonprofit has worked to balance growth with protection of the region’s natural resources. To do that, it collaborates with public and private landowners, funders and partner organizations.
Sally Boman, communications director, said preserving the Upstate’s land, water and unique character requires a holistic approach to smart development.
“We’re very fortunate to live in such beautiful surroundings, with walkable communities and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities nearby,” she said. “None of that happens by accident. It takes the efforts of environmental partners, elected officials, municipalities and citizens. We have to work together if we want to continue to enjoy the benefits of living here.”
Boman said video footage and photos taken with the drone allow them to better communicate with other stakeholders.
“We have been using it to enhance and upgrade the way we tell visual stories in a way that connects with people emotionally,” she said. “In the past, to get such an amazing view, you had to hire a helicopter. The technology is so accessible, it’s easy to communicate the beauty and a sense of the scale of the landscape.”
One of the key ways Upstate Forever carries out its mission is through its land trust. The nonprofit doesn’t own property, but it works with landowners and funders to obtain conservation easements to protect areas deemed critical for features like water and habitat quality. Other priorities are scenic views, recreation potential and cultural importance.
Lauren Ulich, director of stewardship and land management, said after negotiating conservation agreements, the land trust team is responsible for monitoring them over time.
Upstate Forever communications team members try out their new drones.“Once we have the easement, we’re obligated to visit each site annually. That’s 40,000 acres at 210 sites with a staff of three,” Ulich said. “A drone can help us do that more effectively. It’s not always possible to walk all these properties. With the drone, we can see parts of the property that are hard to access.”
Ulich said the land management team has also used the drone’s images to share insight between landowners.
“We worked with an easement holder and South Carolina Forestry Commission to carry out a controlled burn on 200 acres of grassland in Oconee County,” she said. “When owners of pastureland came to us looking for guidance, images of that process became an educational tool to explain the economic benefits of prescribed fire.”
CFG is proud to support environmental partners like Upstate Forever to further its mission of improving the lives of Greenville County residents.
For more information, visit https://www.upstateforever.org/.
Visit cfgreenville.org to learn more about the Community Foundation of Greenville.
