Nancy H. Hadley Rebekah J. W. Szivak

The Problems Increased coastal populationIncreased coastal population Increased impact on water quality and water-based resourcesIncreased impact on water quality and water-based resources EconomyEconomy Decrease in number of resource managersDecrease in number of resource managers

1973: 70 sq. mi. 1994: 180 sq.mi. 2030: 618 sq.mi. Urban area in Charleston County

Instead of being part of the problem, they can be part of the solution If coastal residents are good stewards, environmental impacts can be lessened and even reversed Environmentally aware citizens can influence government policies

Uninformed Interested Informed Involved

Provide information so your audience can: Understand the science Recognize the information is credible Be motivated to advocate for natural resources Know how to act to benefit natural resources But, remember information alone is not the answer

You need to: Give the public “permission” to be resource advocates Communicate using a diverse array of tools Offer hands-on activities to increase engagement Delegate responsibility Involve all age groups on appropriate levels Maintain regular contact

Reaches a diverse audience Retirement communities School children Youth groups Inner city kids Anglers clubs More than 50 community partners spanning SC coast

Shell recycling Shell bagging Reef building Water quality monitoring

Environmental Action Volunteers (EAV) Volunteer – run Shell Recycling Program, Bluffton, SC Recycled and bagged ~ 3,600 bushels of shells since 2002

Shell Bagging More than 20,000 bags since 2001 Filled with 350 tons of oyster shells

161 reefs at 34 sites since 2001 Reef Building

Volunteer Water Monitoring Volunteers monitor water quality weekly and enter data online. More than 25 sites being monitored weekly.

Volunteer Water Monitoring Partner with local groups Town of Bluffton Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium Earthforce Michaux Conservancy

Underdock Oyster Culture Recreational aquaculture Waterfront property owners may grow their own oysters for personal consumption if they are in approved waters Gives waterfront property owners a vested interest in water quality

Spat collection program Homeowners will host bags of oyster shell during summer months Shell with spat attached will be returned to DNR to create oyster reefs during the winter Increases capacity for oyster restoration Engages different segment of population - may segue to underdock oyster culture Participants do not have to be in approved waters but may become interested in improving the water quality

Conclusions An informed and engaged citizenry can assist resource managers and potentially reverse environmental degradation on a local scale Social networks/partnering increases impact We can’t do it alone – we must involve and empower the public