Upstate Forever

Upstate Forever is an upstate land trust, conservation and environmental organization dedicated to reducing sprawl, saving special places, advocating for environmental issues, and building partnerships that make a difference. In 2008, Upstate Forever purchased an existing structure in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The immediate goal were to renovate the building to USGBC LEED standards. Through collaborative, interactive design with Johnson Design Group, Upstate Forever staff, and others, Earth Design, as part of the design team, achieved LEED Platinum – the highest rating from USGBC. The design used rain water harvesting, ground water recharge, native plantings, and recycled content to help achieved these goals. The site design features outdoor gathering spaces for staff, circulation, and signage for education. The design and process demonstrates what can be achieved and when willing partners are committed to environmental sustainability.