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| ACSEC E-Newsletter |
September/October 2013
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For More Information, 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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Welcome Mount Pleasant!
Mount Pleasant Joins the ACSEC!
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We are happy to announce that the Town of Mount Pleasant joins the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium (ACSEC)! Mount Pleasant joins eight area municipalities along with Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in this regional watershed scale approach to providing stormwater education and involvement opportunities. Welcome Mount Pleasant, we are excited to be working together to educate citizens on ways to protect water quality!
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ACSEC 2012-2013 Annual Report of Activities
Finalized!!
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The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium (ACSEC) experienced another exciting year providing stormwater education and involvement opportunities in the Charleston Tri-County area. In reporting Year Five, July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, approximately 2.7 million educational impacts were recorded, including 2,641,464 through indirect outreach methods (ex. billboards, commercials, permanent exhibts, fairs, festivals, etc) and 92,187 through direct outreach methods (ex. trainings, workshops, litter cleanups, presentations, etc)!
Learn more about all the great work provided by the dedicated partners of the ACSEC. Download the annual report and learn about activities planned for the 2013-2014 year at www.ashleycooper.org or click HERE
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Tip of the Month: Be Wise If You Fertilize
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There's a reason Ashley Phosphate Road got its name. Did you know that many of our coastal soils already contain high amounts of phosphorous, a nutrient also commonly found in fertilizers? Over-application of fertilizers on land can contribute to polluted runoff and problems in our ponds and waterways, including algal blooms and fish kills.
Before you fertilize, use the following tips to save you time and money, while also helping to protect water quality:
1. Use low to no-phosphorous fertilizers in your garden or lawn. Remember look for a 0 in the middle!
2. Get your soil tested to determine exactly what your lawn or garden needs to be its healthiest. Contact your county's Clemson Extension office to learn about the inexpensive soil testing service.
3. When applying fertilizer, always follow directions and avoid application before heavy storms.
4. Make sure you properly seal and store unused fertilizer.
5. If you have a pond or waterway in your backyard, consider establishing a 10-20 foot "No-Spray" zone along the shoreline to prevent the likelihood of fertilizer entering the water.
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25th Annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep!
September 21, 2013
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Mark your calendars! SC Sea Grant Consortium & SC Department of Natural Resources's 25th annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep will be on September 21, 2013. Join thousands of volunteers across the state to help remove litter and clean up our rivers, marshes, and beaches! Started in 1988, Beach Sweep River Sweep is South Carolina's largest one-day volunteer cleanup event of it's kind. In 2012 alone, 4,125 people removed 20 tons of debris from in and around our waterways!
There are multiple volunteer opportunities in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Contact a site captain today to sign up!
 | Beach Sweep River Sweep Capers Island
Photo Courtesy SC Sea Grant Consortium |
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Charleston Green Fair
September 22, 2013
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It's that time again! Time for the 2013 Charleston Green Fair!
When: Sunday, September 22nd
Time: Noon to 6PM
The Green Fair is an opportunity to learn about the many exciting sustainable or environmentally-friendly initiatives ongoing in our community - while also enjoying the music, food, and fun! This year's event will be held at the James Island County Park and is free to enter with the $1 park admission. The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium will be hosting a booth at this year's fair so make sure to stop by and visit!
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SC Native Plants Society~ Plant Sale
September 28, 2013
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Native Plants = Healthy Habitats
Join us at the SC Native Plants Society fall plant sale!
Where: Charles Towne Landing parking lot, West Ashley
When: Saturday, September 28th from 9:00AM to Noon
SCNPS members can start shopping at 8:30
What: Diverse array of colorful perennials, shrubs, trees, grasses and even edibles available!
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Stormwater Pond Problem Solving
& Weed Control Clinic
October 11, 2013
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Attention stormwater pond owners, HOA's and management companies! Join us for a full-day stormwater pond training emphasizing the basic concepts and up-to-date information needed to make cost-effective management decisions. This training will provide solutions to common stormwater pond management challenges, including sedimentation, shoreline repair, aquatic weed control, aeration, water quality, nuisance wildlife control and more! Also included, hands-on aquatic weed identification and integrated control clinic for problematic aquatic weeds. Four Hours of Category 5 CCH available.
Date: October 11, 8:30AM to 4:00PM
Where: Cypress Gardens
Cost: Non-CCH hours = 30$, 4 CCH hours = $70
Register HERE
Questions? Email Guinn Garrett |
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2013 South Carolina Marine Educators Association Annual Conference
November 1-2, 2013
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Every year the South Carolina Marine Educators Association (SCMEA) organizes a conference to highlight current trends in marine education. Conference highlights include: keynote speakers, break-out sessions, field trips, and exciting social events. Renewal Credits Available.
This year the conference is entitled:
"A Look Into the Future of Ocean Science."
When: Friday, November 1 - Saturday, November 2
Where: Fort Johnson Marine Center, James Island
Who: Teachers, College and University Professors, Research Scientists, Naturalists, Government Officials, Museum and Aquarium Staff, & anyone who loves marine science!
Learn More and Register Today!
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Save the Date
The Garden Gathering
November 16, 2013
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Mark Your Calendars for the second annual Garden Gathering hosted by Clemson Extension, Cypress Gardens and the Clemson Tri-County Master Gardeners Association. This is a great event that includes gardening classes, field trips, hands-on workshops, a catered lunch and much more! Last year's inaugural Garden Gathering event received rave reviews from participants!
Stay tuned, registration to open soon!
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SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
Champions of the Environment
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Attention SC teachers and students! Champions of the Environment wants South Carolina's young people to improve and protect the natural world. Receive recognition and monetary support for the hard work you do to protect the environment by applying for SCDHEC's "Champion of the Environment" grant award program.
This competitive grant award program rewards projects that help the environment. South Carolina's K-12 students, teachers and environmental educators can apply for up to a $2000 grant. Find Out More HERE Applications due October 15, 2013.
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Looking for a volunteer project? Interested in protecting our precious water resources? Storm drain marking is an excellent community involvement project in which students, groups, or individuals can participate and make a difference! Drains are "marked" by affixing a medallion (depicted below) onto a storm drain or sidewalk. The medallion provides a simple reminder that storm drains lead to local waterways. The message reads "Don't pollute, flows to waterways." Interested in learning more? Please email Angela Crouch and find out how you can get started today! All materials needed are supplied through the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium.
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Carolina Yards Website~ New Look!
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Check out the newly remodeled Carolina Yards website! Housed under Clemson University's Cooperative Extension service, this website is jam-packed with information for anyone managing a yard. Topics include lawn maintenance, irrigation, compost, mulch, attracting wildlife, protecting waterways and much more!
Visit Carolina Yards
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Clemson Extension 4-H2O Summer Camp
"Exploring Lowcountry Waterways"
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Campers explored the ecology, history and the importance of protecting the Ashley and Cooper rivers. Places visited during the two sessions of camp included Old Santee Canal Park, Cypress Gardens, Francis Beidler Audubon Swamp, Capers Island, ACE Basin McKenzie Field Station, Fort Johnson Marine Center, Caw Caw Interpretive Center and Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery. The opportunity proved to be both an adventure and educational for youth from Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.
 | | 4-H2O campers at Bears Bluff National Fish Hatchery, getting an up close look at Red Drum |
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For More Information on Consortium Related Activities, Don't Forget to Follow Us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/ashleycooperstormwater |
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Thank you! for reading this edition of the Ripple Effect, the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium (ACSEC) E-newsletter. 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!
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Storm Drains and Ditches Lead to SC 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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For Protecting South Carolina's Waterways
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Have a workshop or event request, or just want to know more? Please contact us!
Water Resources Extension Agent
Water Resources Extension Agent
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