Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium

06/15/2026

I am Beatriss Calhoun and I will see you there! 💙

Join Clemson Extension Agents at Dorchester County Extension for an educational program series each month covering various topics.

06/12/2026

✨Stay in the know!

To learn even more visit one of our Harmful Algal Bloom Online Courses. A great tool to help you act fast when seeing signs of a bloom. Link Below ⬇️

https://cpe.clemson.edu/browse/extension/water-resources/courses/harmful-algal-blooms

SCDES has expanded the Recreational Watch for a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in a small area of Lake Murray due to SCDES staff observations and samples collected on June 10th. Cyanotoxin concentrations from June 10 samples are currently low and below state recreational criteria. The Recreational Watch area for Lake Murray incorporates the Clouds Creek arm to below the Indian Creek arm. SCDES's Algal Bloom Monitoring Map (https://scdes.maps.arcgis.com/.../webappviewer/index.html...) has been updated to reflect this Recreational Watch.

On June 10, SCDES’s Aquatic Science Division (ASD) team surveyed Lake Hartwell again and collected water samples from three locations. Based on the latest data, SCDES has maintained the HAB Watch in the Coneross Creek lake arm. The bloom appeared diminished in some areas. However, it is advised to continue to use caution in areas where the bloom is observed.

For both Lake Murray and Lake Hartwell SCDES recommends:
• surveying the lake area before swimming or recreating
• avoiding direct contact with lake water in areas where the HAB is observed
• keeping pets and animals from swimming in or drinking from the lake in areas where the HAB is observed

HABs are a common, natural occurrence in lakes, but they can cause health impacts to people or pets that come into contact with the algae. Learn more at des.sc.gov/habs.

For more information or to report a possible algal bloom sighting, contact SCDES’s Bureau of Water HAB hotline at 803-898-8374 or e-mail [email protected]. If calling after hours, please leave a message that can be returned.

06/12/2026

💧Creative Ways to Beat the Heat 🔥While Being Water Wise!💧

As temperatures rise across our community, staying cool is important. Here are a few creative ways to stay comfortable under the sun ☀️ while using 💧Water efficiently! Check out the images for a few tips.

What are your favorite ways to stay cool while conserving Water? Share your ideas in the comments below! ⬇️💙

06/02/2026

Response time for safety concerns is a major factor when needing help! Great to see a new addition is underway for the Johns Island Community! Follow the shared post to stay in the know of completion 👍💪

05/22/2026

Memorial Day Weekend is filled with Cookouts, Boating, Activities, and more! Also, it can be full of misplaced waste from all the fun. As the holiday approaches, keep a few tips in mind to keep litter out of the environment we call home! Everyone loves Good Clean Fun 😁!

✅ Make sure to have a trash bag for any outdoor event. Secure bags to anything that will hold them in place until you are ready to toss them in the dumpster.

✅ Have a way to close trash bags fully to keep all trash in one place.🚮

✅ Reusable items like bottles, straws, and plates are key to having a low-waste event!

✅ Choose paper, compostable, or recyclable material when planning your gatherings. These items can be reduced, reused, and recycled.

✅ Keep in mind to secure items that can be swept up by the wind.🌬️

✅ If composting is your goal, make sure to place compostable items in a compost bin. Loose food litter will attract animals and cause a safety concern. 🍉🍎🥕🥦

✅ Plan ahead for when "Nature Calls" 🚽. Make sure to map out restroom locations and use them when you spot one.

05/22/2026

64.5 Pounds of litter 🚮were removed from the Rosemount Community earlier this week! South Carolina Aquarium kicked us off with understanding the importance of keeping a record of what is collected during a cleanup, and the Litter Journal is a great tool for that very need. Numbers clearly show the message when making a change in your community!💯

Litter Journal Link: https://www.anecdata.org/projects/view/122

📝 A Cleanup with no data will NOT make a lasting change📝

Thank you to Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities http://lamcnc.org/ for getting us all together to show love to the Beautiful Rosemount Community 🌊💙

05/06/2026

This month marks the start of Hurricane Preparedness Season. In a world of so many alerts, it can be hard to know where to start. Understanding the meaning of alerts can give you more confidence when creating your safety plan. Check out this video breaking down the weather alerts you may receive on your phone, in email, on news platforms, or even when chatting with a friend.

Make sure to share! We are only as strong as our community 💪🏾✨

Keep following for more tips on staying Above Water this Hurricane Season 🌀💙

For more information, visit NOAA National Weather Service
Link: https://www.weather.gov/lwx/warningsdefined

05/06/2026

Building on the progress of South Carolina’s State Water Plan and the launch of WaterSC by Governor Henry McMaster, the inaugural SCDES Water Summit will bring together the state’s leading water experts and stewards for a day of collaboration, learning, and connection.

South Carolina is blessed with abundant rivers, lakes, and aquifers—but rapid growth means we must plan ahead. Through data-driven, proactive planning, we can ensure these vital resources are protected for generations to come.

📅 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
🕣 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
📍 Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, S.C.

Join us as we work together to protect and preserve South Carolina’s water, now and into the future.
✨ Register today! des.sc.gov/WaterSummit

Agenda and additional details, including presenters, breakout topics, and lunch information, coming soon.

Because when we plan together, we protect what matters most: clean, abundant, life-giving water for every generation.

04/28/2026

Clemson Extension’s 4-H2O: Exploring Lowcountry Waterways.

This 5-day, hands-on science camp invites youth ages 9–18 to explore local waterways, learn about conservation, and connect with professionals working in environmental fields. From field activities to interactive lessons, campers will gain a deeper understanding of the Lowcountry’s unique ecosystems while having fun outdoors.

July 13–17
$150 (daily rates, multi-child discounts, and scholarships available)

Open to youth in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.

Register today: https://tinyurl.com/2026Camp4H20

Questions? Email [email protected]
or call/text 865-784-0516.

04/28/2026

Join Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium, Native Plants to the People, LLC, and The Junction Kitchen & Provisions for a hands-on Native Plant Container Garden Workshop. You’ll learn how to select the right native plants for containers, build healthy soil, and design containers that thrive while supporting pollinators and local ecosystems.

May 18 | 1–4 PM
Junction Kitchen, North Charleston
$25 (registration required)

Registration is required by May 15. Register at: https://nativecontainergarden.eventbrite.com

Questions? Contact Samantha at [email protected].