The South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement (SCORE) program through the Department of Natural Resources works to manage our state’s oyster resources. They serve alongside community members and biologists to restore oyster populations while 1) enhancing habitat for fish, shrimp, and crabs, 2) improving water quality of estuarine areas, and 3) informing and educating children, industry, and the general public.
Citizens, school and youth groups, and other interested parties are invited to assist South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) staff in building oyster habitats along the South Carolina coast. On Friday, June 15, from 3pm-5:30pm, volunteers are needed to help construct a new habitat in the Folly River. The habitats built under the SCORE program will be relatively small, but they will allow SCDNR to conduct experiments to refine restoration techniques before embarking on large-scale restoration projects.
DNR staff will be transporting volunteers via boat from the boat landing to the construction site. All volunteers who are on a DNR boat must fill out a boat waiver.Volunteers who are under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign their form.
Come join us for a reef build! Please RSVP to score@dnr.sc.gov prior to the event as event times and location may change. Some events may be limited on the number of participants we can accommodate, so an RSVP is very important!!
Everyone should wear closed-toed shoes (no crocs or flip flops!) and clothes you do not mind getting a little dirty. We will provide water, gloves,sunscreen, first aid and bug spray. We will have cups for water but encourage volunteers to be eco-friendly and bring a refillable bottle.
In preparing for this service opportunity, you can find some educational lessons and activities about oyster habitats here.
We hope to see you on the shoreline!
Today, as we honored Earth Day, my kiddos and I were talking about ways that our family can make a positive impact on our environment. A couple of weeks ago, we attended a sea turtle conservation talk at the Johns Island library, Elle visited the aquarium’s sea turtle hospital, and we read an article about a beached whale found on a Norwegian shore with 35 plastic bags in it’s stomach. The risk of plastic bags to the well-being of sea creatures was a common theme among all of these experiences. Further reducing the use of plastic bags in our home seemed like a relevant resolution.
We already pack reusable containers in lunch boxes, and take our cloth totes along for our big weekly shopping trip, but we think there is more we can do. Plastic bags still find their way into our home, and we’re resolving to reduce this further. Restaurant take-out, quick stops at the store to grab a couple of items, pharmacy pick-ups, etc., often come with plastic bags.
We’re resolving to do our best to eliminate plastic bags from our home. Our family found some great tips for accomplishing our goal at conservingnow.com/tips-to-reduce-plastic-bag-use/.
Wish us luck! Are you up for the plastic bag challenge?
In their lifetimes, our children have seen more dolphins than they can count. Each time we are on the water, our kiddos spy these beautiful mammals and wait in eager anticipation for them to breach the water’s surface. My hope is that they will always be thrilled at the site of a dolphin.
If your family loves dolphins as we do, there is a tremendous service opportunity scheduled for April 28th. Below, you will find all of the details from the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network:
“Interested in being a scientist for a day? Join Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, partnered with the South Carolina Aquarium, for our first citizen scientist event. Come help us count dolphins around Charleston Harbor. Designated land-based stations will be set around the harbor. Pick a station and help us count dolphins, learn about data collection and why it’s important to protect our water neighbors! Three counts at 9, 10 and 11 am. Join for 1 or all 3. All ages welcome and photographers encouraged! Please arrive a few minutes before each count to receive instructions and training. Each count will start promptly at the half hour. There will be a sign up posted soon.”
More details can be found @ www.lowcountrymarinemammal
This week’s service event will certainly be a hit with the kids! Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry is hosting their very own Valentine’s Pajama Party where guests will have an opportunity to create hand-made cards for children at One80Place, our local homeless shelter.
Your family will also enjoy breakfast treats, hot cocoa, and other fun CML activities in your pajamas. Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets. CML Member: $15;
CML Non-Member: $20; Under 12-months-old: Always Free
If you’re not able to attend the party, but would still like to engage in serving those at One80Place, make your own Valentine’s card station at home and mail your creations to the shelter at P.O. Box 20038, Charleston, SC 29413. Thanks for sharing the love!
If you’re in search of meaningful ways to engage your children in serving our community, My Sister’s House is a great first step. This organization offers advocacy, counseling, housing, and support for victims of domestic violence.
Our families can help by providing an evening meal for the clients and children in the shelter. We’re asked to contact Ann Jennings or Damitra Hilton at (843)744-3242 to determine a date and location of delivery, and then prepare a meal at home for up to 36 individuals. Invite over some friends to join in, divide the grocery list between you, and spend an evening serving those in need!