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York County Forever
Preserving Our Past & Protecting Our Future
Over time, the loss of open space, population growth, and infringing development led to increasing citizen concern that York County's picturesque scenery and cherished way of life were vanishing. Faced with the need to manage growth responsibly, protect exceptional resources, and preserve unique character, the York County Council created the York County Forever Commission (YCF) in 1998 to serve as the county's land conservation organization. York County Forever's mission is to promote and protect significant natural, cultural, historic, and environmental resources.
Conservation Projects
Through acquisition, purchase of development rights, and conservation easements, YCF has assisted in the preservation of approximately 10,583 acres of unique York County resources, including the following properties:
- Riverbend Property - This 1,900 acre site is found at the bend of the Catawba River, east of Rock Hill. A former Bowater research site, the property possesses several hundred acres of mature long-leaf pines with several ponds and fields.
- Kirsh Wildlife Management Area - The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources manages this area with over 600 acres of natural and scenic open space. This property, located near Sharon, is open daily for a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
- Nanny's Mountain - A 92 acre monadnock with Revolutionary War era iron ore mines and unique views of the Lake Wylie community.
- White Home - One of the oldest homes in Rock Hill, the property has been restored and is open for tours and special events.
- Worth Mountain - The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources manages this area with over 1,600 acres of open space. The property is located along the Broad River and is open daily for hiking, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreational activities. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Why should we preserve our resources?
Economic Benefits
- Increase Property Values
- Attract New Business & Industry
- Reduce Cost of Services
- Stimulate Local Economy
Environmental Benefits
- Pollution Control
- Floodplain-Stormwater Management
- Protect Wildlife & Vegetation
Community Benefits
- Promote Healthy Lifestyle
- Provide Low-Cost Recreation
- Manage Growth Responsibly
- Improve Quality of Life
Land Conservation Information
Learn more about land conservation through York County Forever below.
The Resource Newsletter
The York County Forever quarterly newsletter shares the latest in Commission and conservation news, and is available for viewing below.
- July 2020
- January 2020
- October 2019
- July 2019
- April 2019 @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
York County Forever Commissioners
A Commissioner is appointed by York County Council to represent each of the seven council districts. Commissioners are appointed to three year terms and are eligible to serve two consecutive terms. Representatives from Nation Ford Land Trust and the Culture & Heritage Commission also serve as ex-officio Commissioners.Commissioner | District |
Date Appointed |
Term |
Expires |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nichol Druckemiller (Vice Chair) |
1 |
2018 |
1st |
2021 |
Grace Fowler | 2 |
2020 |
1st |
2023 |
Donny Mitchell | 3 |
2019 |
1st |
2022 |
Ryan Murray | 4 |
2020 |
1st |
2023 |
Johnny Walker |
5 |
2017 |
1st |
2021 |
Lindsay Walker (Chair) | 6 |
2015 |
2nd |
2021 |
Creighton Hayes | 7 |
2018 |
1st |
2021 |
Carey Tilley | Ex-officio |
Cultural & Heritage Commission |
2021 |
|
Steve Hamilton | Ex-officio |
Nation Ford Land Trust |
2022 |
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Trish DeHond
Open Space PlannerPhone: 803-909-7221
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Planning
Physical Address
18 W. Liberty Street
York, SC 29745
Mailing Address
PO Box 96
York, SC 29745-0096