Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium

09/01/2026

Do you enjoy spending time caring for our coast? 🌊 If so, we encourage you to join the SCDES Bureau of Coastal Management’s Adopt-a-Beach Program!
Through this program, part of SCDES’s Marine Debris Initiative, partners help protect South Carolina’s beaches by hosting cleanups and sharing valuable debris data with SCDES.
Ready to make a lasting impact? Visit mycoast.org/sc/beach-cleanup to get started!

Do you enjoy spending time caring for our coast? 🌊 If so, we encourage you to join the SCDES Bureau of Coastal Management’s Adopt-a-Beach Program!

Through this program, part of SCDES’s Marine Debris Initiative, partners help protect South Carolina’s beaches by hosting cleanups and sharing valuable debris data with SCDES.

Ready to make a lasting impact? Visit mycoast.org/sc/beach-cleanup to get started!

09/01/2026

Today, catch us on Ohm Radio 96.3 FM (https://www.ohmradio963.org/) Live & Local!
...Because we still have Rain Barrels to sell ‼️ & the pre-order link will be extended 😄, but please don't wait.

ACSEC 🌧️Rain Barrel Sale Pre-orders are now open‼️
https://www.rainwatersolutions.com/products/acsec-ivy

The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium (ACSEC), in partnership with Rainwater Solutions, is offering high-quality 50-gallon rain barrels at a special discounted price to help residents conserve water and protect our local waterways.

As many areas across South Carolina continue to experience periods of drought and increasing water demands, capturing rainwater is a simple, effective way to conserve one of our most valuable natural resources.

Rain barrels help reduce reliance on municipal water for outdoor irrigation while also decreasing stormwater runoff that can carry pollutants into local creeks, rivers, and marshes. Every gallon collected makes a difference.

Pre-Order Still Open
Special Price: $83 (regularly $159)

Each rain barrel includes:
- 50-gallon rain barrel
- Installation kit
- Mesh screen on lid to help keep mosquitoes out

Reserve your rain barrel today by visiting:
https://www.rainwatersolutions.com/products/acsec-ivy

Target Audience: The citizens of Charleston and Dorchester Counties, Cities of Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Charleston, North Charleston, and the Towns of James Island, Lincolnville, Sullivan’s Island, Mount Pleasant, and Summerville

Pickup Locations
Friday, September 11 | 12:00–2:00 PM
Summerville
Saturday, September 12 | 9:00–11:30 AM
Edisto Beach

Caution: Please avoid using harvested rainwater for edible gardening and food-related needs.

A special thank you to Edisto Island Open Land Trust and the Town of Summerville for generously providing our pickup locations and supporting our community conservation effort.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, s*x, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.

For additional information, please contact:
Beatriss Jay Calhoun
(843)729-4523 or [email protected]

09/01/2026

Check out this great opportunity to help keep our community clean!

Join Us for South Carolina’s Largest Single-Day Clean-Up Event!🧹🌊
Help us make a difference in our community and protect the waterways we love!💙 In support of statewide efforts to reduce litter, Mount Pleasant will host a litter clean-up at Shem Creek Park on September 19 at 8:30 a.m. 🌿
As a participating location in South Carolina’s Beach/River Sweep, Mount Pleasant staff will once again lead a land-based litter sweep at Shem Creek Park. Volunteers will focus on removing trash from the marsh and surrounding areas to help protect the health of our estuary ecosystem. 🐢🦀🌱

We’ll provide the supplies you need, including:
• 🦯 Litter pickers
• 🦺 Safety vests
• 🧤 Gloves
• 🗑️ Trash bags
• 🪏 Disposal of all collected litter
Volunteers should bring a reusable water bottle💧, sunscreen☀️, a hat🧢, and anything else they may need to stay comfortable outdoors for a few hours. Shem Creek Park also has restrooms 🚻, seating, and shaded areas🌳 available for volunteers.
📧To register or ask questions, please email [email protected]. Additional event details will be shared with registered volunteers as the event approaches.
🗑️Why Does Litter Matter in Mount Pleasant?
Litter isn’t just an eyesore—it’s a major source of pollution in Mount Pleasant’s stormwater system.🌧️ Unlike wastewater, stormwater is not treated before it reaches our waterways. That means litter that enters a storm drain can ultimately make its way into our creeks, marshes, and rivers. 🌊
By removing litter before it reaches our waterways, we can help protect local wildlife🐬, water quality💧, and the health of our coastal ecosystems🌿.
Whether you’re looking to earn service hours🎓 or simply want to help keep Mount Pleasant beautiful, this clean-up is a great opportunity to get involved!💚
🙌 Can’t Make It on September 19?
No problem! Mount Pleasant staff can help facilitate another clean-up event and provide supplies for your group to use.🧤🗑️
Together, we can keep Mount Pleasant clean, protect our waterways, and make a difference—one piece of litter at a time!💙🌎

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Grow your knowledge of South Carolina’s native plants!

The South Carolina Native Plant Certificate offers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our state’s native plants, habitats, ecology, and sustainable landscaping.

The certificate is a partnership between the South Carolina Botanical Garden and the South Carolina Native Plant Society, with classes taught by experts in the field.

You don’t have to pursue the full certificate to participate. You can take individual classes based on your interests, and if you choose to work toward the certificate, there is no time limit for completion.

Core classes cover topics including:
• Basic botany
• Horticulture
• Sustainable landscaping
• Natural plant communities
• And more!

Elective classes explore specific landscapes and themes, providing additional opportunities to learn about South Carolina’s incredible native plant diversity.

Native plants also play an important role in creating more sustainable landscapes. Their established root systems can help improve soil health, slow and absorb stormwater, and reduce runoff, making them valuable additions to rain gardens and other stormwater-friendly landscapes.

Upcoming Lowcountry Class:

Basic Botany – Charleston, SC
September 11, 2026

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/basic-botany-charleston-scnp-core-class-91126-tickets-1995985449209

Learn more about the certificate program and upcoming classes:
https://www.clemson.edu/scbg/learn/native-plant-certificate.html

Questions? Contact Sue Watts at [email protected].

Whether you’re a gardener, naturalist, educator, landscape professional, or simply interested in learning more about South Carolina’s native plants, these classes are a great way to expand your knowledge and better understand the plants and ecosystems that make our state unique.

08/26/2026

Come check ACSEC out at this upcoming event led by our awesome 4-H Team! Follow the original post for more information, and see you there 😁!

Tawanah Reeves-Ligon introduces families to local 4-H programs and ...

08/21/2026

North Charleston is growing and understanding the changes around us can give you a great start to managing stormwater on your home landscape! Join in and share your thoughts 💙

Follow the original post for more!

Join small, local business owners and leaders to learn about the City of North Charleston's Unified Development Ordinance — a critical effort to rewrite the rules that guide how the city grows. Attendees will engage in intentional dialogue to help the city understand their concerns and vision for future growth with zoning and planning policies that could affect them.

The event will kick-off with local comedy from Nameless Numberhead and light bites sponsored by Drizzled Pear Catering. Cash bar will be available.

The event is free and open to all, with capacity limited to the first 70 registrants. Register to let us know you'll attend here: https://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/events/mocktailcocktail-and-conversation-shape-north-charlestons-future/register"

08/21/2026

Earlier this week, It was so great to meet Chief Meteorologist with Storm Team 2🌀✨! I was able to join the Charleston Area Senior Community and view his presentation on hurricane preparedness and awareness 📝.

It is never too late to make a plan and thank you Rob Fowler for all the awesome, practical tips you shared!

Keep an eye on closures and alert with South Carolina Emergency Management Division https://www.scemd.org/

08/21/2026

ACSEC 🌧️Rain Barrel Sale Pre-orders are now open!
https://www.rainwatersolutions.com/products/acsec-ivy

Pre-Order Deadline: September 2
Special Price: $83 (regularly $159)

📍 Pickup at Store Creek Corner on Edisto
Saturday, September 12 | 9:00–11:30 AM

The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium (ACSEC), in partnership with Rainwater Solutions, is offering high-quality 50-gallon rain barrels at a special discounted price to help residents conserve water and protect our local waterways.

As many areas across South Carolina continue to experience periods of drought and increasing water demands, capturing rainwater is a simple, effective way to conserve one of our most valuable natural resources.

Rain barrels help reduce reliance on municipal water for outdoor irrigation while also decreasing stormwater runoff that can carry pollutants into local creeks, rivers, and marshes. Every gallon collected makes a difference.

Each rain barrel includes:
- 50-gallon rain barrel
- Installation kit
- Mesh screen on lid to help keep mosquitoes out

Reserve your rain barrel today by visiting:
https://www.rainwatersolutions.com/products/acsec-ivy