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Protecting Lake Keowee Today Preserving It for Tomorrow

For over 30 years, Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) has worked to preserve, protect, and enhance Lake Keowee and its watershed through advocacy, conservation, and education.

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What We Do

Lake Keowee is one of the most beautiful and vital natural resources in Upstate South Carolina — 17,660 acres of water, 388 miles of shoreline, and a watershed that supports recreation, wildlife, and our regional economy. Since 1993, FOLKS has served as a trusted voice and steward for the lake, working collaboratively with state agencies, community partners, and local residents to ensure Lake Keowee remains healthy for generations to come. FOLKS is guided by three core pillars:

01

Advocacy
We serve as a voice for the lake – acting as a stakeholder in watershed planning and relicensing efforts, working with agencies to protect water quality, promoting boating safety, and serving as a resource for the community.

02

Conservation
From habitat restoration to litter prevention, we have installed fish attractors, osprey platforms, and bluebird boxes, and we participate in shoreline protection, and Island Keepers and Lake Sweep cleanups.

03

Education
We publish KEOWEE magazine; host the Wilde Speaker Series; award Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarships; support Green Step school programs; and provide water testing resources for students learning about water quality.

Conservation in Action

FOLKS doesn’t just advocate — we act. Recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and conservation organizations across South Carolina, FOLKS continues to lead efforts that protect water quality and wildlife habitat.

FOLKS is a proud member of these

local Chambers of commerce

A Community Publication with Purpose

KEOWEE MAGAZINE

KEOWEE Magazine connects our community through conservation stories, local art, photography, and timely updates impacting lake living.

Published quarterly for members, the magazine supports the FOLKS mission and reaches over 1,000 households in print, including 70 business markets, and 150 digital subscribers.

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Get Involved

The strength of FOLKS is its volunteers and members — individuals, families, and businesses who care deeply about Lake Keowee.

There are many ways to get involved:

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