Friends of the Reedy River
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| Abbreviation | FoRR |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1993 |
| Founder | Ben Geer Keys, Tom Tiller, and Brad Wyche |
| Type | Environmental nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | Conservation of the Reedy River watershed |
| Location |
|
Region served | Reedy River watershed |
| Website | www |
Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR) is an environmental nonprofit organization based in Greenville, South Carolina. Established in 1993, the organization works to conserve and restore the Reedy River watershed through environmental education, public advocacy, water quality monitoring, river cleanups, and habitat restoration.[1][2]
History
[edit]Formation
[edit]Friends of the Reedy River was established in 1993 by Ben Geer Keys, Tom Tiller, and Brad Wyche in response to the environmental degradation of the Reedy River.[3][4]
Industrial and municipal development had affected the river for much of the twentieth century. Textile operations discharged dyes and other waste into the river, while sewage, urban runoff, and sediment also contributed to declining water quality. A 1969 assessment reported finding no fish or other aquatic life in the river.[4]
Colonial Pipeline spill and restoration funding
[edit]In June 1996, a Colonial Pipeline line ruptured near Fork Shoals and released more than one million gallons of diesel fuel into the Reedy River. The spill affected approximately 23 miles of the river. A settlement reached under the Clean Water Act in 1998 awarded $6.5 million to South Carolina.[4]
Friends of the Reedy River organized a public campaign seeking to have a portion of the settlement retained for restoration of the Reedy River rather than placed entirely in the state's general fund. The resulting funding supported land acquisition, water quality monitoring, environmental education, recreational access, and habitat restoration within the watershed.[4]
The Reedy River Restoration Fund was also used in the creation of the Conestee Foundation and the acquisition of historic Lake Conestee. The foundation was established to rehabilitate the former mill pond and surrounding property as a wildlife sanctuary and nature park.[4]
Conservation and restoration projects
[edit]Friends of the Reedy River's published history identifies several early conservation and restoration projects in which it participated. These included advocacy concerning a proposed sewer trunk line, restoration of Long Branch Creek, land conservation along the river, and early planning associated with parks and recreational corridors.[3]
When the Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority, now known as Renewable Water Resources, proposed a sewer trunk line along the Reedy River, Friends of the Reedy River advocated for the protection of riparian hardwood forest. The sewer line was subsequently rerouted to reduce the removal of trees, and the organization also worked with the sewer authority on efforts to reduce phosphorus entering the river.[3]
Around 1998, the organization advocated for environmental mitigation associated with the construction of the Southern Connector toll road to take place in Greenville County. The resulting mitigation work included restoration of portions of Long Branch Creek, an urban tributary that flows through the Woodside community before entering the Reedy River.[3]
The organization held early conservation easements on parcels that later became part of Linky Stone Park. It also participated in land conservation efforts associated with portions of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail and supported the removal of the Camperdown Bridge during planning for the redevelopment of Falls Park on the Reedy.[3]
Friends of the Reedy River later transferred land it held along the river to Naturaland Trust and worked to transfer conservation easements to Upstate Forever as those organizations developed more specialized land conservation programs.[3]
Environmental advocacy
[edit]Friends of the Reedy River has participated in public proceedings and submitted comments concerning development, infrastructure, wastewater, and water use within the watershed.[3]
In 2002, the organization petitioned the South Carolina Public Service Commission in opposition to proposed merchant power plants in the lower Reedy River and Fork Shoals area. The proposed facilities would have withdrawn water from the river. The organization has also participated in discussions concerning phosphorus levels, development near the river and its tributaries, and polluted runoff from commercial car washes.[3]
The organization also opposed a proposed development at 55 Camperdown in downtown Greenville. Friends of the Reedy River circulated a petition against the proposal and submitted approximately 1,800 signatures to the mayor and Greenville City Council.[1]
Influence on regional conservation organizations
[edit]Friends of the Reedy River describes its early work as contributing to the development of other conservation organizations in the region, including Upstate Forever and the Conestee Foundation.[3]
Brad Wyche, one of the founders of Friends of the Reedy River, left his legal practice in 1998 to establish Upstate Forever. The regional nonprofit was created to address land conservation, water quality, land use planning, and development in Upstate South Carolina.[5]
The creation of the Conestee Foundation was connected to restoration efforts following the Colonial Pipeline spill. Settlement funds preserved for Reedy River restoration were used to acquire Lake Conestee and begin its rehabilitation as a nature preserve.[4]
Programs and activities
[edit]Friends of the Reedy River organizes its work around environmental education, advocacy, and community participation.[1] Its activities include water quality monitoring, river cleanups, riverbank restoration, educational events, habitat conservation, and participation in public discussions concerning the watershed.[1]
Education and water quality monitoring
[edit]The organization provides educational programs for students, community groups, and other audiences. Its programs have included public presentations, environmental poster contests, storm drain marking, school science projects, river cleanups, and water quality education.[1]
Friends of the Reedy River conducts water quality monitoring in coordination with South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream. The organization also participates in the Reedy River Water Quality Group, a coalition of local governments, public agencies, universities, community groups, conservation organizations, and residents working to reduce nutrient pollution in the watershed.[1][2]
The organization has also participated in the Saluda-Reedy Watershed Consortium and South Carolina Rivers Forever, initiatives concerned with watershed management, water quality, and river protection.[1]
River cleanups
[edit]Friends of the Reedy River organizes major river cleanup events in the spring and fall.[2] Volunteers remove tires, household waste, construction debris, and other discarded material from the river and surrounding areas.[6]
In September 2025, more than 250 volunteers participating in the organization's Fall Sweep collected 10,720 pounds of debris, including 80 tires, from five locations along the Reedy River.[7]
Watershed research
[edit]Friends of the Reedy River helped initiate interest in the development of The Reedy River Report: Managing a Watershed, a study by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources examining the natural, cultural, and historical resources of the Reedy River watershed.[8]
The report examined water resources, land use, wildlife, recreation, and cultural and historical resources within the watershed.[9][10]
Woodland Way Corridor
[edit]In 2015, Friends of the Reedy River adopted a one-mile section of the river between Woodland Way and East Faris Road. Known as the Woodland Way Corridor, the area parallels the Swamp Rabbit Trail and includes public and private properties adjoining the river.[1]
The project focuses on removing invasive vegetation, restoring native riparian habitat, demonstrating stormwater management practices, and providing environmental education along the trail.[1]
Reedy River Meadow
[edit]Friends of the Reedy River is leading the restoration of approximately 1.83 acres of riverfront land near Linky Stone Park in downtown Greenville. The two-year, $204,000 Reedy River Meadow project was developed to remove invasive vegetation, establish native plant communities, create wildlife habitat, and demonstrate approaches to riparian restoration.[11]
The restoration plan includes habitat for native plants, birds, pollinators, and migratory monarch butterflies. The site is also intended to serve as a location where students and citizen scientists can evaluate methods for restoring and maintaining riverfront meadows and riparian buffers.[11]
Project partners include Naturaland Trust, TreesUpstate, the Reedy River Water Quality Group, the Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District, Earth Design, and city and county parks departments.[11]
Regional television stations also reported on the conversion of the previously neglected property into a downtown green space and native ecosystem.[12][13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "What We Do". Friends of the Reedy River. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- 1 2 3 King, Jay (August 29, 2024). "Friends of the Reedy River: A role for everyone in protecting water quality". Greenville Journal. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "History of Friends of the Reedy River". Friends of the Reedy River. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Resilience, Recovery and Renaissance on the Reedy River". South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. December 4, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ Fox, Ruta (June 27, 2018). "Brad Wyche left his law firm behind 20 years ago to preserve the Upstate". Upstate Business Journal. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Friends of the Reedy River works to keep waterway clean and beautiful". Fox Carolina. April 22, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ "5 tons of trash gathered during Reedy River volunteer cleanup". Greenville Journal. October 2, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ "The Reedy River Report: Managing a Watershed". South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ The Reedy River Report: Managing a Watershed (PDF) (Report). South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ Cultural and Historical Resources (PDF) (Report). South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- 1 2 3 King, Jay (June 26, 2025). "Friends of the Reedy River project seeks to establish natural meadow in downtown Greenville". Greenville Journal. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Friends of the Reedy River creating new green space in downtown". Fox Carolina. July 30, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Acres of land dubbed 'eyesore' repurposed for meadow project in Greenville". WSPA-TV. Retrieved July 17, 2026.