Partners Partners

Partners

The Saluda Grade Trail is spearheaded by a coalition of three nonprofit partners in North and South Carolina that share a commitment to serving our communities and providing places for outdoor recreation. These are Conserving Carolina; PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well; and Upstate Forever. Conserving Carolina is leading efforts to create the North Carolina section of the trail, while PAL and Upstate Forever are leading efforts to create the South Carolina section.  

Conserving Carolina

Conserving Carolina is a land trust that has protected over 48,000 acres, primarily in Henderson, Polk, Transylvania, and Rutherford counties in N.C. and the Landrum, S.C. area. It has helped create and expand treasured public lands including Dupont State Recreational Forest, Chimney Rock State Park, Headwaters State Forest, the Green River Game Lands, and Pisgah National Forest. It is spearheading the 100+ mile Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and numerous greenway projects, including the Ecusta Trail —a rail trail that may eventually connect to the Saluda Grade Trail. The mission of Conserving Carolina is to protect, restore and inspire appreciation of the natural world. Learn more and get involved.

PAL

PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well.

PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. is a nonprofit that improves health and wellness throughout Spartanburg County. With a mission to advance active living, promote healthy eating and foster health equity, PAL creates a culture that embraces healthy living. PAL focuses its work on developing active places to play, advocating for healthy schools, and on the partnerships required to increase access to healthy food. PAL is spearheading the development of the Daniel Morgan Trail System throughout the urban area of Spartanburg County. Learn more and get involved.  

Upstate Forever

Upstate Forever

Upstate Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of the Upstate of South Carolina. We focus our work on the ten counties of Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union. Since 1998, we have worked to protect the natural assets that make the Upstate so special: our farmlands, forests, natural areas, rivers, and mountains. We are committed to ensuring that our communities are vibrant and retain their green spaces and unique identities in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl. Upstate Forever has offices in Greenville and Spartanburg. For more information, visit www.upstateforever.org. 

Recent News

Public Meetings October 17 and 19

The best version of the Saluda Grade Trail is one that includes your input! Share your vision, goals, and concerns for the Trail at two drop-in style public meetings in October.

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SC includes $10 million in new budget for the Saluda Grade Trail

The SC State Legislature recently included $10 million in the 2023-2024 budget towards the purchase of the Saluda Grade Trail, which will run through Northern Spartanburg and Greenville Counties into...

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Recent News
Agreement Reached on Saluda Grade Rail Line

A coalition of nonprofits that is spearheading the Saluda Grade Trail has reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern to sell the 31-mile rail line for use as a recreational rail trail.

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