The first meeting of The Clemson Group of the South Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club was held June 2, 1981. Herman Senter served as interim chair of the Clemson Group. The goal of the newly formed group was to help maintain the quality of life by promoting an awareness and an appreciation of the natural environment and the need to use our resources wisely. Pursuit of this goal is displayed through outings, socials, and conservation actions. The group has grown to a membership of over 200 members and has enjoyed outstanding programs and outings, adopted 12 miles of the Foothills Trail for maintenance, participated in litter cleanups, written letters on numerous conservation issues, and donated trees for planting in a Clemson park.

The Sierra Club is organized nationwide into 54 chapters which are subdivided in 288 local groups. There are over 300,000 individual members.

Noting that the membership is drawn from five upstate counties, representing numerous towns, the name of the Clemson Group was changed to that of "Foothills Group" and adopted in February 1983.

Membership is open to all who share an interest in the environment as a resource to be enjoyed and protected.