"The Conestee Foundation grew out of the conservationist group Friends of the Reedy River. It was formed in 1998 for the purpose of acquiring and rehabilitating the lake and turning it into a greenspace. The site included a 135-acre millpond, impounded by a large stone masonry dam on the Reedy River that was built in 1892." Recently "Lake Conestee Nature Park was named 1st Runner Up for the national Phoenix Award presented by the Environmental Protection Agency [recognizing] the project that stands out most for using innovative techniques and cooperative efforts to convert a polluted site into a community treasure." We are so proud of Dave Hargett and all the great work he's done at Lake Conestee! Read More »

Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR) is pleased to announce the election of Katie Callahan as the new FoRR Board President. Katie serves as the Director of the Clemson University Center for Watershed Excellence, an EPA and SC DHEC recognized center for watershed management and watershed outreach activities. For more than eight years, Katie served as the program coordinator for the Clemson Extension Carolina Clear program, reaching millions of SC residents annually with stormwater outreach and pollution prevention programming. Katie joined the FoRR Board of Directors in 2017 and served on FoRR's Technical Committee. She enjoys being a Mom, molding this next generation of conservationists through rich outdoor experiences, especially on the water! Read More »

Two students that shadowed a Greenville News Photojournalist as a part of the Benjamin Franklin Experience won first prize in the Fall in Love With the Reedy River Photo Contest hosted by Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR) and Reedy River Water Quality Group. Safia Bouderka and Demaine Robinson, who both attend NEXT Highschool, were presented with $50 and a Certificate of Award on Tuesday, December 19 at a small ceremony. Read More »

Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR) recognized outgoing Greenville City Councilwoman Gaye Sprague as the 2017 Best Friend of the Reedy River at this year’s Annual Meeting. The designation honors individuals whose support for protection, restoration, and enhancement of the Reedy River has been exemplary. Keynote speaker Lisa Wells, Environmental Engineer with the City of Greenville, discussed the work at McPherson Park thanks to EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funding. This year’s Annual Meeting took place at Sears Recreational Shelter from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, November 9th and was open to the public. Read More »

In collaboration with Friends of the Reedy River, the YMCA developed a master plan, already in progress at the Caine Halter Family YMCA, to improve water quality, quantity, and conservation through a variety of rain gardens and other elements. One aspect of this makeover is the reclamation of 2 acres of land next to the Reedy River. Read More »