About the Upstate Chapter
The Upstate Ch
apter was formed in 2003 and geographically it is loosely formed around the following counties (although anyone can join or participate):
Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg
This area of the state encompasses portions of both the Blue Ridge and Piedmont ecoregions, creating the most biologically diverse area in the state.
Who We Are:
The Upstate Chapter is the largest of six state chapters with a membership of about 1,000 and a news and social media ‘reach’ of over 2,000. Our dynamic leadership team consists of a Board of Directors as well and a variety of standing chairs with important missions. Below is a snap-shot of our key leadership positions with their contact links. Click on any one of the links below to reach out to one of our Board members for assistance.
- President – Pam Barbour
Bill Stringer at SCNPS-owned Stevens Creek
- Vice President – Chris Sermons
- Treasurer – Jon Heiliger
- Secretary – Susan Lochridge
- Membership Chair – Open
- Field Trip Chair – Dan Whitten
- Programs Chair – Rick Huffman
- Projects Chair – Frank Holleman
- Grants Committee Chair – Daren Jakeman
- Publicity/Media Chair -Cynthia Gibson
- Native Nursery Manager – Cathy McCurdy
- ‘At Large’ Representative – Judy Seeley
- Past President – Virginia Meador
What We Do:
- Meetings
- Monthly chapter meetings (3rd Tuesday of each month)
- Annual membership meeting (a state-wide event)
- Annual holiday party
- Field Trips
- Interpretative hikes
Plant rescue, October 2022 at Nine Times Preserve
- Boat tours
- Seed collecting
- Interpretative hikes
- Conservation Projects
- Preservation projects
- Plant rescues
- Restoration projects
- Invasive eradication
- Upstate Native Nursery
- Propagation workshops
- Greenhouse Gang
- Plant sales
- Conservation Advocacy
- Conservation partnerships
- Legislation
- Public awareness
Join Us!
- To join the chapter, please visit our MEMBERSHIP page.
- To stay tuned into Upstate events, visit our EVENTS CALENDAR
- To subscribe to our news monthly newsletter, Upstate Happenings, just send an e-mail to our NEWSLETTER EDITOR
- We are always seeking volunteers to help us do everything from running our online store and our in-person plant sales to writing and editing our newsletter and website to guiding field trips to serving on our Board, and more. For current volunteer opportunities, visit our VOLUNTEERING IN THE UPSTATE page!