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| ACSEC E-Newsletter |
March/April 2012
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For More Information on Consortium Related Activities, Don't Forget to Follow Us on Facebook!
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CLICK THE DROPS BELOW FOR MORE INFO
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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 |
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This booklet explores tidal creek ecosystems and the various threats to the valuable services they provide
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Guide for Community Associations
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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 |
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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
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SCORE Program
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Spring has Sprung!
Welcome to the Spring edition of the Ripple Effect! The Ripple Effect is the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium (ACSEC) E-newsletter created to provide awareness of consortium-related activities as well as information and resources to help foster good stewardship practices. In this issue we will focus on some of the exciting and educational opportunities happening within the ACSEC this spring. We hope to see you soon!
Thank You! for protecting SC's water resources!
 | | Storm Drains and Ditches Lead to SC Waterways |
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Tip of the Month: Be Wise If You Fertilize!
Spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, and the backyard is calling. Healthy vegetation is one of the best stormwater management practices and our home landscapes make up a significant portion of the watershed. However, don't blindly throw out that bag of 10-10-10 on the lawn, you can waste your money and end up fertilizing your local waterway. In a recent analysis, almost 90% of all the soil samples in the SC coast had sufficient or higher levels of phosphorus in the soils. Almost 40% had "excessive." Not hard to believe, as phosphorus was historically mined in this area. So if you do fertilize:
- USE NO OR LOW-PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER...it's no riddle look for zero in the middle. Some other helpful tips:
- Amend soil or top-dress turf with compost instead of using fertilizers
- Never apply fertilizers or any landscape chemical before a rain event
- Maintain a 30-foot "no fertilizer/pesticide" zone around water features
- Visit Clemson's Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) for ALL your home landscaping questions.
- Take a soil sample...Don't Guess Soil Test
- For $6, your soil can be tested by the local Clemson Cooperative Extension office. To learn more click Here
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SC Native Plants Society Plant Sale
March 17
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When: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00PM
Location: Parking lot of Charles Towne Landing
Details: Visit the SC Native Plants Society (SCNPS) plant sale to learn more about tried and tested native plants for the home landscape. Plants are reasonably priced and SCNPS volunteers will be standing by to answer questions you may have. Members can beat the crowds and start shopping at 8:30AM. Not a member? Join the day of!
Cost: Admission to the plant sale is Free
To learn more information click
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Charleston Area Stormwater Pond Management Conference
Thursday, March 22
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Join Us for the Charleston Area
When: Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 Time: 8:00AM to 4:30PM Location: The College Center at the Complex for Economic Development, Trident Technical College Who Should Attend: Pond Owners, Pond Managers, Homeowner and Community Association Representatives, Pond Management Professionals Cost: Participant Registration $25 Registration and Continuing Education Credits $50
Exhibitor Registration $100
To Learn More Click Here |
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Carolina Yard Gardening School
Saturday, March 24th
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When: Saturday, March 24th, 2012 Time: 8:00AM to 4:30 PM Location: Charleston Exchange Park Details: Event includes garden lectures, hands-on workshops, 1 soil test, lunch, educational exhibits, plant problem diagnosis clinic, complimentary compost and much more! Cost: $75 To Learn More and Register Click Here |
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Tri-County Lawn Mower Exchange
March 24
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When: Saturday, March 24, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00PM
Location: Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park
Details: Trade in your old mower or power yard tool for a new cordless or corded electric mower. Special event only pricing with additional $20 vouchers for the first 125 trade-ins! Different brands and models of air and water friendly tools will be on-site for demo and purchase.
To learn more information click Here |
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40th Annual Summerville YMCA Flowertown Festival
March 30 to April 1
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When: Friday March 30 to Sunday April 1
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00PM F-Sat; 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sun
Location: Downtown Summerville
Details: Consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, the three-day festival features:
- Over 200 jury-selected artists from throughout the country who display their work for sale
- Delicious foods from restaurants at The Taste.
- Fun activities and rides for children at the Children's Jubilee
- Free admission
- Free Parking
To learn more information click Here |
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Carolina Yards and Neighborhoods Event Series
April 3, April 10, and April 17
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There's no doubt about it, garden and lawn care in the Lowcountry takes special knowledge and skills. Join Clemson Cooperative Extension Service at Trident Technical College for a three week gardening series focused on timely garden and landscaping topics. Based on the Carolina Yards and Neighborhoods program, classes in the spring series include:
- April 3: Lowcountry Lawns:The Fundamentals to a Healthy Lawn
- April 10: Home Vegetable Gardening 101: Emphasis on Integrated Pest Management
- April 17: Watersmart Landscaping
Classes are on Tuesdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Cost: Registration is $100 per person and includes soil test and a tote filled with supporting books and materials to take home
To learn more information and register click Here
 | | Carolina Yards and Neighborhoods Demonstration Site at the Coastal Carolina Fairgrounds |
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Charleston County Earth Day Festival
April 14
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When: Saturday, April 14, 2012
Time: 11:00 AM to 5:00PM
Location: North Charleston Riverfront Park (on former Charleston Naval Base)
Details: The Charleston County's Annual Earth Day festival is a hands-on science-based interactive experience, designed to encourage participants of all ages to develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues. This year's activities will include the Annual Earth Day art contest, science projects, booths focusing on waste reduction, composting, wildlife, energy and water conservation, community exhibits, and promoting a waste-free event!
Cost: Free Admission
To learn more information click Here |
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Seeds to Shoreline Teacher Workshop
June 11 to 13
*Deadline to Apply April 20*
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When: Monday, June 11 to Wednesday, June 13
Location: McKenzie Field Station, Bennett's Point, ACE Basin
Details: Teachers! Attend the first ever S2S (Seeds to Shoreline) Teacher Workshop and learn more about the only student driven wetland restoration project in the state! Explore beautiful ACE Basin while receiving renewal credits and gaining resources for your classroom. This workshop is offered in partnership between The SC Department of Natural Resources, SC SeaGrant Consortium, The Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, and the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve. Cost: Free
To learn more information click Here
 | View from McKenzie Field Station
Host Site for S2S Teacher Workshop Summer 2012 |
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Build a SCORE Reef in the ACE Basin
May 1 to May 4
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When: May 1 to May 4; Times vary based on tides, reef building lasts 3.5 hours each day
Location: McKenzie Field Station, Bennett's Point, ACE Basin
Details: The SCDNR SCORE program has new, exciting opportunities to build oyster reefs in a National Estuarine Research Reserve. Come join for a day in the wild wonderful ACE Basin region. Participants will load shell bags onto SCDNR barges and take a boat ride over to the reef site in this pristine environment.
Registration: Interested? Questions? Email 
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Exploring Lowcountry Waterways Summer Camp
June 18 to 22 and July 7 to 13
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When: Cooper Camp June 18 to 22,
Ashley and Edisto Camp July 7 to 12
Who: Youth from the Tri-County Area Ages 10 to 13
Time: 8:00 AM to 4:30PM
Details: Campers will experience a unique look at South Carolina's natural heritage and the role river systems play in this beautiful landscape. We will explore the ecology and history of the Charleston Tri-county area by visiting a variety of sites by land and water. Campers will interact with some of the ACSEC Education Partners including the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, Clemson Carolina Clear, SCDNR, SC Aquarium, Keep Dorchester County Beautiful, and Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission.
Cost: $125 per week
To learn more about Cooper Camp click HereTo learn more about the Ashley and Edisto camp click Here
 | | Campers from Summer 2011 enjoy the SC Aquarium |
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For More Information on Consortium Related Activities, Don't Forget to Follow Us on Facebook!
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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
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer
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