There are a number of community organizations and groups in Spartanburg County that are engaged in activities that preserve or enhance the natural environment. 

Upstate Forever is a regional nonprofit that promotes sensible growth and protects special places in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Of the 10,391 cumulative upstate acres protected by Upstate Forever in ten years, approximately 1,563 acres are in Spartanburg County, comprising two properties under conservation easements. Upstate Forever has a total of 57 conservation easements in and around the Upstate. In 2005, Upstate Forever contracted with The Lawrence Group to conduct an “active living assessment” of the land development regulations and plans for Spartanburg County and the City of Spartanburg and to identify “provisions that impede the development of active living neighborhoods and communities” - neighborhoods that allow and encourage people to engage in regular physical activity, such as bicycling and walking, as part of their daily routine. This extensive study resulted in a matrix listing of 70 major recommendations to revise City and County regulations and policies to support active living and recommendations for an action agenda for implementation.

Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE), is a local non-profit conservation organization chartered in 1989 whose purpose is to protect and preserve natural areas of ecological, historical, and aesthetic value to enhance the quality of life for all residents and future generations. SPACE reports that 1,600 acres have been protected through their auspices, including 11 conservation easements, legally binding agreements which restrict land from future development. Unlike Upstate Forever, SPACE actually holds title to some properties for conservation purposes.

The Hub City Farmers’ Market estimates that the total combined economic impact of its Saturday market on the community, including nearby businesses, was $756,613 in 2007. The Hub City Farmers’ Market provides Saturday and Wednesday markets, other support and education services to local farmers, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers, and other community agriculture and education programs.

In the summer of 2005, an effort to acquire and restore Anderson Mill in Spartanburg County was initiated and eventually led to the formation of The Tyger River Foundation in the fall of 2007. Rooted in belief that history and the outdoors are vital to mental and physical well being as a society, the mission of the Foundation is to promote, protect and restore the natural and historic resources of the Tyger River Basin. Although independent, the Foundation works with many local organizations and particularly with Upstate Forever, on conservation issues.

There are a number of other groups and organizations that support environmental causes in Spartanburg. An example of a small grass-roots organization that is quite active in Spartanburg County is the Kudzu Coalition. The Coalition is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers dedicated to the removal of kudzu from public areas throughout Spartanburg County. Another organization, the Glendale Outdoor Leadership School, whose mission is to enhance quality of life and personal growth through outdoor recreation and education, offers a wide variety of programs for children and adults to promote wellness and lifestyle changes.