|
|
|
|
|
| ACSEC E-Newsletter |
January/February 2012
|
|
For More Information on Consortium Related Activities, Don't Forget to Follow Us on Facebook!
 |
 | |
CLICK THE DROPS BELOW FOR MORE INFO
|
|
|
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  | | SC Coastal Information Network Website Search for Training Opportunities |
|
|
Volunteer Opportunities
Litter Sweeps
 | | 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
 | |
SCORE Program
|
|
|
|
Another Drop Has Landed!
Welcome to the Ripple Effect, the 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 |
|
Tip of the Month: Winter is a Great Time for Recycling!
Christmas Trees can be the gift that keeps on giving! Once a Christmas Tree is taken down from inside your home, it can be recycled as wildlife habitat or mulch. Some species of tree may even be replanted in our area. To find out more information visit the SCDNR website Winter in the Lowcountry means spending time with family and friends shucking around the oyster table. Don't let valuable oyster shell material end up in the landfill, instead Recycle! The SCDNR SCORE (South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement) program works to strategically place shell material in the saltmarsh to provide suitable source that attracts juvenile oysters and enhances South Carolina's inshore marine habitat. To find out where your nearest oyster shell recycling drop off point is visit HERE |
 |
|
Keep an eye out for the new ACSEC logo. Our new logo maintains the feel of the original version, yet adds a fresh look which includes bolder colors and a streamlined appeal . We will utilize the new ACSEC logo on everything from brochures and event announcements to pet waste dispensers and billboards!
 |
|
South Carolina Aquarium Adds
Rainwater Harvesting Display
|
| Rainwater Harvesting Display at
South Carolina Aquarium entrance
Photo Provided by Brian Thill |
The South Carolina Aquarium (SCA) seeks to encourage visitors to practice eco-friendly living by setting a good example. Most recently, SCA installed two 55 gallon rain barrels outside of the highly visible Aquarium entrance area. The barrels are supported on an aesthetically pleasing support structure, well built with intention to reduce hesitancy of rainwater harvesting systems. Stay tuned as the next step for the SCA's rainwater harvesting display is to include interpretive signage with emphasis on stormwater runoff and residential systems. |
|
Seeds to Shoreline: Youth Involvement for Wetland Restoration Program Kicks Off Phase Two
|
|
Phase two of the pilot project, Seeds to Shoreline (S2S), has officially launched in January 2012 and is once more in partnership between SC SeaGrant Consortium, SC Department of Natural Resources and Clemson Extension. January is a busy time of year for those involved with the S2S Program as it is time to seed and germinate Spartina alterniflora seedlings with the eventual goal of planting in late spring/early summer as part of a "S2S Restoration Day." The S2S program creates an opportunity for students to learn about the signficance of the saltmarsh ecosystem while participating in a community service-learning project. Area schools participating in Seeds to Shoreline include: Archibald Rutledge Academy, Ashley Hall, Cainhoy Elementary School, Hanahan Middle School, James Island Charter High School, Mason Preparatory School, Murray LaSaine Elementary School, Sullivan's Island Elementary School, Trinity Montessori School, and William Reeves Elementary School . An exciting addition to the S2S pilot will be a teacher workshop held in summer 2012 aiming to increase teacher ownership of the project.
Seeds to Shoreline student participant
plants Spartina alterniflora seeds
|
 |
|
SC Native Plants Society
Habitat House
|
|
| |
SCNPS Lowcountry Chapter planted native plants at Area Habitat House
Photo provided by Lisa Lord
|
October 30, 2011
The Lowcountry Chapter of the SC Native Plants Society in partnership with the East Cooper Breakfast Rotary Club created a native landscape for the Net Zero Energy Habitat House on Kent Street in Mt. Pleasant. Planting native plants around the house support the eco-friendly theme of this project. Native plants are adapted to the hot and humid weather conditions; therefore, the new homeowner will use less water, fertilizers and other resources to maintain the yard. The Lowcountry Chapter of the SC Native Plant Society encourages the use of native plants in home landscapes and donated all of the plants and volunteer labor for this landscaping project. Learn more information at the SCNPS website .
|
|
SCDNR SCORE
Oyster Shell Bagging Event
|
|
| |
Participants at SCORE Oyster Shell Bagging Event
Photo provided by Stevie Czwartacki
|
November 19, 2011
SCDNR's South Carolina Oyster Reef Restoration and Enhancement Program (SCORE) held an open public oyster shell bagging event at the Fort Johnson Marine Center. Individuals from various groups around the Charleston area made 300 bags out of 450 bushels of shell during a two hour event. Groups included: James Island Charter High School, River Oak Middle School, Ft. Dorchester High School, College Of Charleston's National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Trident Technical College Roots and Shoots, Ashley Hall, homeschoolers, and local residents. The bagged oyster shell material from the event will be utilized during the oyster reef building season in summer 2012. To learn more about this community-based habitat restoration and monitoring program visit the SCDNR SCORE Website .
|
|
Surfrider Foundation Screening of "Bag It"
|
|
November 29, 2011
The Charleston Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation hosted an exclusive screening of the award winning documentary film "Bag It" The event took place at The Terrace Theater on James Island. "Bag It!" seeks to bring awareness to the harmful effects of single use plastics on the worlds oceans and marine life. Particularly pertinent to the ACSEC, "Bag It" emphasizes that stormwater runoff is a significant source of marine debris. A group discussion was held after the screening as well as a drawing which awarded every member in the audience either a reusable shopping bag, metal water bottle, or both. To learn about future Surfrider efforts in addressing these issues as well as future "Bag It" screenings, visit the new Surfrider Foundation Charleston Chapter Website
|
|
| |
Photo taken by George Steele
|
December 5-6, 2011
The Tidal Creeks Summit was held in Charleston, S.C., bringing scientists, resource managers, regulators, and non-governmental organizations together to begin a dialogue to address these issues. More that 120 participants heard from research experts and state and federal regulatory managers, with each session followed by in-depth group and/or panel discussions. Attendees were able to share experiences, network with colleagues, and had the opportunity in a formal context to become involved in shaping the future of tidal creek research and management in the Southeast. The Summit's objectives were to: identify the current state-of-knowledge regarding tidal creeks in the southeast; identify current management needs and relevant future research efforts ; and evaluate current and potential strategies to protect and enhance the ecology and function of tidal creeks (e.g., development setbacks, buffers, impervious cover limits, stormwater BMPs and restoration efforts).
The Summit was organized and sponsored by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in partnership with North Carolina Sea Grant, Georgia Sea Grant, North Carolina State University, Clemson University, The Coastal Society, and the Taylor and Francis Group. For more information about event proceedings please visit the Summit Website or contact Denise Sanger from SC SeaGrant.
|
 |
|
|
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Clean-up Day
January 16, 2012
|
|
Lowcountry Earthforce, Charleston County School District, and Americorps are teaming up with volunteers to offer a community clean-up day in honor of the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.
What: James Island Community-Wide Clean Up & Kick-Off event to celebrate James Island Community Education Youth Service activities include the Lowcountry Earth Force
Where: Event Begins and Ends at James Island Charter High School
When: Monday, January 16 from 2:00 to 4:00PM, with celebration activities beginning at 4:00PM
Who: All Community Members, but especially young people and families of youth attending James Island Community Schools
Additional Information: Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and bring a pair of gardening/all purpose gloves if you have them! For additional information contact Stacy Rafalowski at 843-408-6049 or Email
|
|
Adopt-A-Highway
February 4, 2012
|
|
Intiated in South Carolina in 1988, the Adopt-A-Highway program works to utilize the volunteered time of caring citizens to combat litter along SC highways. Volunteer groups complete a report card which provides information on how many volunteers participated in the cleanup, how many bags of trash were collected and how long the group worked. Adopt-A-Highway schedules four cleanups a year; the November event included 461 volunteers collecting over 12,000 lbs. of litter! Those interested in becoming involved sign an agreement form to participate committing to a two-year period, then SCDOT will put up a sign at the adopted section with the group's name on it. SCDOT provides trash bags, safety vests, and gloves for groups. The next cleanup will be Feb. 4, 2012. Volunteers groups needed to adopt two-mile sections of road to clean! For more information contact Clemson Extension Agent Angela Crouch .
November Adopt-A-Highway Event
Photo provided by Angela Crouch
|
|
*Registration Open* Charleston Area Stormwater Pond Management Conference on March 22, 2012
|
|
Time to Register! Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 The Charleston Area Stormwater Pond Management Conference will take place at Trident Technical College. This one-day event will provide a variety of educational opportunities for pond owners and managers to learn more about the current issues, maintenance techniques, and resources
for managing ponds. On behalf of the ACSEC, Clemson's Carolina Clear Program, the SC Department of Natural Resources, and SC SeaGrant are teaming up to provide this opportunity. The format of the conference will include plenary sessions with keynote address, followed by concurrent sessions separated into three tracks including a Pond Dynamics, Pond Maintenance, and Pond Administration and Outreach. To find out additional information and register for the Charleston Area Stormwater Pond Conference click Here!
In response to an increasing number of requests from citizens looking for solutions, Clemson University Extension has launched a stormwater pond management website to help communities manage their stormwater ponds. Stormwater retention ponds have become common features in urban and suburban landscapes. Driven, in part, by regulations that require structural controls that prevent flooding and protect water quality in downstream rivers and estuaries, they have become one of the most popular stormwater controls for residential and commercial developments. Many pond owners and managers, including businesses and home owners associations, have had limited guidance on how to maintain these important features. The new pond management website provides a valuable resource for those responsible for ponds in South Carolina. |
For More Information on Consortium Related Activities, Don't Forget to Follow Us on Facebook!
|
|
|
For Protecting South Carolina's Waterways
|
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
|
|
Have a workshop or event request, or just want to know more, please contact us!
Natural Resources Agent
Natural Resources Agent
|
|
|
|
|
