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| ACSEC E-Newsletter |
September/October 2011
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CLICK THE DROPS BELOW FOR MORE INFO
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| | Be Wise if You Fertilize |
 | | Pet Waste Management |
 | | Car Care |
 | | Pond Management |
 | | Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
 | | Septic System Maintenance |
| | Clean Boating |
 | | Fats, Oils, and Grease |
 | | Hazardous Household Materials |
 | | Put waste in its place |
 | | Construction Site Sediment |
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Programs and Resources
 | | Create Your Own Carolina Yard |
 | | Rain Garden Manual |
 | | New! Residential Rainwater Harvesting Manual |
| | Coastal Friendly Living Guide and Links to other SC Sea Grant Publications |
 | | This booklet explores tidal creek ecosystems and the various threats to the valuable services they provide. |
 | | Guide for Community Associations |
Home and Garden
Information Center
 | | Certified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Inspector |
 Free for Teachers:New SC Standards-Based Watershed Lessons and Interactive Whiteboard Activities SC Green Steps Program Disposing of Household Waste County Solid Waste and Recycling Center Info Berkeley County Charleston County Dorchester County Interactive Maps SC Watershed Stewardship Map SC NEMO LID Atlas |
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Volunteer Opportunities
Litter Sweeps
 | | September 17, 2011 |
 | | KAB Affiliates |
Storm Drain Marking
 | Mark Storm Drains In Your Neighborhood and Promote Awareness that Storm Drains and Ditches Connect to SC's Waterways
Email Angela Crouch |
Oyster Reef Restoration and Water Quality Monitoring
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SCORE Program
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Our First Drop Has Landed!
Welcome to the first edition of the Ripple Effect, the new Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium (ACSEC) E-newsletter! Our goal is to provide awareness of consortium-related activities, including current, recent and upcoming events, as well as provide information and resources to help foster good stewardship practices. Like ripples on the water, we hope you will pass on your knowledge, and this newsletter, to others.
Thank You! for protecting SC's water resources!
 | | Storm Drains and Ditches Lead to SC Waterways |
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New Statewide Mass Media Campaign
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Carolina Clear rolled out the new statewide mass media campaign in August, which includes a TV PSA and associated billboards. The new commercial will be aired through October on local Comcast and Knology cable channels. The new billboards will be going up soon, so be on the lookout!
 | | We All Live Downstream PSA-ACSEC |
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New Thank You! Campaign in ACSEC
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SC Sea Grant's Coastal Heritage Focuses on Pond Issues along SC's Coast
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For the past thirty-plus years, ponds have
been the most common technique for
managing stormwater along South Carolina's coast, which now contains over 14,000. Likewise, ponds represent a significant feature in the landscape, ecologically and economically, and they are the focus of the most recent Coastal Heritage publication by SC Sea Grant (SCSG) Consortium. Click on the cover to view a digital copy, or email Annette Dunmeyer at SCSG to subscribe to this award-winning quarterly publication.
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Clemson Extension Creating New Stormwater BMP Demonstration and Training Area-The "Ed Shed"
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 | | Installing Pervious Pavers at Ed Shed |
Clemson Extension is currently developing a demonstration and training area at the Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center. The "Ed Shed" will provide several on-site examples of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), as well as serving as an outdoor classroom. The Ed Shed will feature several pervious hardscapes, including pervious pavers (see picture at left), pervious concrete, and a gravel pave system. The site will also showcase rainwater harvesting systems (above and below ground), rain gardens/bioretention cells, and a constructed wetland. A pond behind the shed will also serve to demonstrate pond management techniques. Native plants will be utilized throughout the site in a variety of settings.
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Charleston Chapter of Surfrider Foundation Pilots Cigarette Butt Study
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 | | Marty Morganello, Charleston Chapter President of Surfider, holds a bag of 5,000+ cigarette butts from a recent sweep on Folly Beach |
The Charleston Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, a new ACSEC partner, has started a pilot project on Folly Beach to study cigarette butt litter, in cooperation with the ACSEC. Surfrider volunteers are collecting and counting cigarette butts around the Folly Beach Fishing Pier during their monthly beach sweeps. We will then test the effectiveness of providing portable ashtrays at public beach access points, along with informative signs, to see if that helps reduce the cigarette litter. Our hope is to both bring awareness of the issue to the public, as well as reduce the total number of cigarette butts discarded, which are the most littered item in America! Visit Keep America Beautiful for more info on cigarette litter prevention and statistics.
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New Carolina Yard Certification
and Recognition Program
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| | Carolina Yard Magnet |
The Carolina Yards & Neighborhoods Program recognizes homeowners that implement the principles of environmental landscape management. By using these environmentally friendly landscape practices, homeoners can make positive changes in the environmental quaity of their yards, neighborhoods and surrounding waterways. Yards are evaluated using a scorecard based on the 9 principles of the Carolina Yards & Neighborhoods Program. Each action taken earns "inches" towards certification. By meeting the minimum requirements and achieving 36 inches, you can have a Certified Carolina Yard. Homeowners obtaining Certified Carolina Yard status will receive a certificate and have the option to purchase other recognition items. Click here to view the checklist and certify your yard.
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College of Charleston Studies and
Demonstrates Sustainability
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 | | New Cistern, Rain Garden, and Raised Beds at CofC's Grice Marine Lab |
Two graduate students from College of Charleston's Masters of Environmental Studies (MES) program are developing campus feasibility studies on rainwater harvesting and green roofs. Jeff Swatkowski and Chris Moore are developing the feasibility studies as part of their internship requirement for the MES program, which are funded by the College's new green fee. Funds from the green fee were also used to build a new 1550 gallon cistern, rain garden, and drip-irrigated raised beds in front of the Grice Marine Lab (GML) on Fort Johnson. Clemson Extension, on behalf of the ACSEC, provided technical guidance for the project, which is also serving as a case study for Jeff Swatkowski's internship project. The GML cistern is the second 1000 gallon-plus tank installed on campus in the last two years, and joins the newly renovated ca. 19th century cistern in front of the recently restored Randolf Hall complex. |
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ACSEC Welcomes New Partners!
Five new partners joined the consortium team in our third year! Keep Charleston Beautiful, Keep Dorchester County Beautiful, SC Aquarium, Surfrider-Charleston Chapter, SC Native Plant Society-Lowcountry Chapter all joined the team this year (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011).
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Keep Charleston Beautiful
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Click Logo To Visit Website
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Keep Charleston Beautiful is dedicated to promoting the cleanliness and beautification of the City of Charleston through education, public awareness and community involvement. They strive to teach litter prevention and waste responsibility through their education programs and public awareness campaigns. All of which are offered free of charge to the community.
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Keep Dorchester County Beautiful
 | | Click Logo To Visit Website |
The major goal and purpose of Keep Dorchester County Beautiful is to promote public interest in the general improvement of the environment of Dorchester County; to initiate, plan, direct and coordinate programs for litter control and recycling.
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South Carolina Aquarium
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Click Logo To Visit Website
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The South Carolina Aquarium inspires conservation of the natural world by exhibiting and caring for animals, by excelling in education and research, and by providing an exceptional visitor experience.
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Surfrider-Charleston Chapter
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Click Logo To Visit Website
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The Surfrider Foundation is a non -profit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education (C.A.R.E). The Charleston Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation concentrates on keeping our beaches and waterways free of trash and other forms of pollution to keep the Lowcountry beautiful. The Charleston Chapter is involved with a variety of beach management efforts including beach and marsh sweeps, as well as placing cigarette butt cannons and mutt mitt dispersers on beach access walkovers. The Charleston Chapter is also involved with a variety of educational efforts including manning booths at local surf contest and festivals, as well as reaching out to area schools about water quality protection. |
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South Carolina Native Plant Society-
Lowcountry Chapter
 | | Click Logo To Visit Website |
The Lowcountry Chapter of the SC Native Plant Society (SCNPS) is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation and protection of native plant communities in South Carolina. SCNPS works to educate the public about the importance of using naties, support efforts to protect habitats and endangered species, encourage the use of native plant materials in public and private landscaping, and promote the commercial availability of native plant materials.
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Year 3 Highlights:
Commercial and Technical Events
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Beyond Pipe and Pond Workshop
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 | | Beyond Pipe and Pond workshop |
In August 2010, ACSEC partners-Clemson Carolina Clear and SC DNR-ACE Basin CTP-hosted Beyond Pipe and Pond (BPP) technical training at the Clemson Coastal Research and Education Center in Charleston. The BPP training was the product of a collaborative effort between University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center (UNHSC), the Cooperative Institute for Coastal Estuarine and Environmental Technology (CICEET) and the NOAA Coastal Service Center (CSC). The training module targets the critical gap in science-based information in designing state-of-the art treatment practices for Stormwater Management. BPP is a one-day workshop featuring science based, technical information and research results related to the design and performance of stormwater treatment systems. It has been developed for engineers and other professionals involved in the development or review of stormwater treatment designs, such as individuals from private consulting firms, public works departments, and planning boards. The training goal is to improve participant's ability to choose the stormwater treatment system or combination of systems that can achieve water quality targets in compliance with current and impending regulations, while at the same time effectively matching peak flows and reducing runoff volume.
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 | | Pond Workshop |
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service hosted a pond workshop on April 28, 2011 at North Charleston City Hall. The pond workshop was well attended, with over 40 pond management professionals, HOA representatives, and pond owners. The workshop included three very informative presentations and great speakers. Norm Shea, Director of Lakes Management for Kiawah Island, presented Kiawah Island Ponds and Lakes Management Overview. Dr. John Weinstein, Department of Biology at The Citadel, presented his research on Sediment Contamination in Coastal Stormwater Detention Ponds. Cory Heaton, Clemson Extension Agent, presented Pond Management 101.
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Year 3 Highlights:
Residential Events
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Residential Workshops and Demonstrations
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Rain Garden Installation at Charlestown Landing with SC Native Plant Society
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The ACSEC continued to develop demonstration sites in partnership with local organizations. The SC Native Plant Society's Fall 2010 plant sale included the installation of a rain garden at Charlestown Landing's Legare-Waring House (picture at left). The former home is rented out frequently for weddings and other events. Participants received a free copy of Carolina Clear's Rain Garden Manual, as well as a copy of the Carolina Yardstick workbook. The site was one of five new permanent exhibits installed in year three. Other's included a pervious paver walkway at the Sustainability Institute's Green Home near Park Circle in North Charleston. Rain gardens were installed at Mt. Zion Elementary School on Johns Island and Bowens Island Restaurant near Folly Beach. Rain Barrels were installed at a variety of public sites around the region.
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Carolina Yard Gardening School
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 | | Carolina Yard Garden School |
The 2011 Carolina Yard Gardening School was held at the Exchange Park in Ladson in March. The event was an iteration of the 2010 Carolina Yard Experience event. The events theme was "the more you know, the more you grow" and featured a series of lectures and hands-on workshops designed to cover a wide variety of home gardening topics. In particular, rainwater harvesting and rain gardening, wildlife gardening with natives, and integrated pest management were just a few of the workshops provided, with the goal of creating Carolina-Friendly gardeners. The event was lead by Clemson Extension and the Tri-County Master Gardeners. |
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Year 3 Highlights:
Youth Events
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Students planting Spartina in the saltmarsh
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From Seeds to Shoreline: Engaging Students in Salt Marsh Restoration was a project initiated in October 2010 by South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, Carolina Clear, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' SCORE (SC Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program), and the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium. Eight Charleston and Dorchester County schools seeded more than 10,000 smooth cord grass plants since January 2011. Some plants remained at the schools for the students to monitor while the remaining plants were transported back to a greenhouse at Clemson's Coastal Research and Education Center. Beginning in mid-April through June, students transplanted their young seedlings to areas designated by the project partners as needing additional shoreline stabilization--several of which were sites located behind oyster reefs built by volunteers of the SCORE program. This project aligns with state science standards and encourages student-driven science investigations to test different variables such as exposure to varying level of light, water, and temperatures. The From Seeds to Shoreline program is the first student-action salt marsh restoration project in South Carolina and is offered for free to Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester County schools. Click here for more information.
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 | | 4-H2O Campers on Ashley River |
Two 4-H2O summer camps were held this year in the Tri-County area-Exploring the Cooper and Exploring the Ashley Rivers. The camps are designed to educate area youth about river systems, water quality, conservation practices, and how to be good watershed stewards. This year had two great groups of students, and now the region has 37 new watershed ambassadors helping to spread good stewardship principles!
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Oyster Shell Bagging Season Begins
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Saturday September 3rd, 2011
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Bagging Oyster Shell
at Bears Bluff Fish Hatchery
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SC DNR's SCORE program summer reef building season is coming to a close, and the fall bagging season has started. The first bagging event is on September 3rd from 9:30 to 11:30 am at Fort Johnson. Come out and help them re-stock the bag supply to ensure another successful build season next year. Email Allie Kreutzer at kreutzera@dnr.sc.gov if you would like to volunteer.
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Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
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Cape Romain NWR-Jemery Island Oyster Castles (photo credit: Clay Bolt)
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The Nature Conservancy and SC Department of Natural Resources staffwill join forces to construct oyster "castles" at Jeremy Island, near McClellanville in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. The new reef form and installation is an expansion of work started in 2009. The NOAA funded project is testing new configurations to investigate potential reduction of coastal erosion. Volunteers will help load/unload, transport and assemble the concrete blocks that form the oyster castles, and will be travel to the island by boat. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, be in good physical condition, and will need a pair of work gloves and mud boots/old lace up tennis shoes. Volunteers should bring water bottle and lunch, and plan on being outside for about 5 hours.
They will meet at McCleallanville boat ramp at 9:00 am (beside town hall at 405 Pinckney St. McClellanville, SC 29458). If interested, contact Joy Brown at joy_brown@tnc.org or call (843) 937-8807. Click here to learn more about the project.
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SC Beach Sweep/River Sweep
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Saturday, September 17th, 2011
Beach Sweep/River Sweep is South Carolina's largest one-day volunteer cleanup event of its kind. Every 3rd Saturday in September, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., thousands of South Carolinians clear beaches, rivers, lakes, marshes, and swamps of aquatic debris. The cleanup, organized by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (coastal)and S.C. Department of Natural Resources (inland), has taken place annually since 1988 - when Sea Grant first started it. The Sweep takes place in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup, coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy. Once the Sweep is over, the Ocean Conservancy tallies all of the debris data. This data helps us learn the sources of litter so we can stop pollution before it starts.
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Sunday, September 25th, 2011 The ACSEC is sponsoring the Water Tent at this years Charleston Green Fair. The 20 x 20 tent will feature ACSEC partner exhibits, as well as the stormwater display donated by SC Aquarium, a rain barrel exhibit, and kids favorite-rain drop plinko. The event is held downtown in Marion Square, and we hope you will drop by the tent and visit with us. |
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New CCPRC Junior Naturalist Program
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 Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission would like to invite children ages 8-12 to become Junior Naturalists through a series of diverse experiences that highlight our county parks' unique habitats, plants and animals. Kids are sure to have a good time while they learn how to love and respect the world around them. Classes are offered September through October, and kids who attend six out of the eight programs will be certified as Junior Naturalists. For more information, call the Ravenel Caw Caw Interpretive Center at (843) 889-8898 or check out our website. |
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CEPSCI Initial Certification
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
CEPSCI (Certified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Inspector) program will host an initial certification workshop at Midlands Tech, NE Campus, 151 Powell Road., Columbia, SC. CEPSCI initial certification will qualify individuals who complete the CEPSCI course and pass the corresponding exam.
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SCNPS Fall Native Plant Sale
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Saturday, October 22th, 2011 9AM-Noon
 The Lowcountry Chapter of the Native Plant Society's fall plant sale will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 9am-12 noon. SCNPS Members can start shopping at 8:30! Location: Charles Towne Landing parking lot, 1500 Old Towne Road, Charleston. If you are looking for specific plants to buy, let us know! We'll try to have them available for purchase at the sale. Admission to the plant sale is free. Cash or check only for plant purchases. If you wish to explore Charles Towne Landing on your own, please pay admission in the Visitor Center. For more information, contact Colette DeGarady, cdegarady@tnc.org, 937-8807 ext 15; or visit www.scnps.org. The Clemson Extension Tri-County Master Gardeners will be on hand to talk to us about worm composting. Click here for more information.
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2011 Coastal Carolina Fair
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 | | Carolina Yard at Coastal Carolina Fair |
Thursday, October 27th--Saturday, November 5th, 2011
The Fall season is around the corner, and that means it's also time for the Coastal Carolina Fair! Come visit the Carolina Yard Outdoor Classroom behind the Agriculture building to learn more about Carolina Friendly home landscaping and get your questions answered by Master Gardeners from around the region. Also view rain gardens, composting, wildlife gardening, rainwater harvesting, and many more features of the Carolina Yard.
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For Protecting South Carolina's Waterways
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THE ACSEC MISSON
The ACSEC is a regional partnership between counties, municipalities, universities, state and local agencies, non-profits and other organizations in the Tri-County region. The ACSEC mission:
Improve water quality within the Ashley and Cooper River basins by providing educational opportunities on
stormwater impacts and our community roles in supporting healthy, fishable, and swimmable waterways
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Have a workshop or event request, or just want to know more, please contact us!
Natural Resources Agent
Natural Resources Agent
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