Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Clean Up – Beach Sweep/River Sweep – Charleston, South Carolina

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Beach Sweep/River Sweep is the largest one-day litter cleanup of South Carolina’s beaches and waterways. Last year, nearly 3,000 South Carolinians from the mountains, through the midlands, to the coast collected over 11 tons of trash from our waterways.
Sea GrantThis year’s Sweep will be held on Saturday, September 15th from 9am-noon. The event is organized by S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in partnership with S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

For more information visit the Beach Sweep/River Sweep website.


Dog Helps Locate Sea Turtle Nests – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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We knew that golden retrievers have great noses and often are used for searching for drugs. But we had never heard of dogs being used to help locate sea turtle nests. On Hilton Head Island there is a golden retriever whose job is to help find sea turtle eggs on the beach. The dog’s name is Keiki Makai, which means “child by the ocean” in Hawaiian. This dog is the newest member of Hilton Head Island’s Sea Turtle Protection Project.
The story appeared om www.islandpacket.com. To read the interesting story click here.

Secrets of the Salt Marsh – Huntington Island State Park, South Carolina

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“It stinks – nothing but mosquitoes! Eeew!” Actually, the salt marsh is a lot more than a breeding ground for mosquitoes, it is a key element to the coastal environment. Join us for a closer look at one of the most productive systems in the world. The closer you look, the more you will see. You may even see the world of the salt marsh a little differently after this walk.
Meeting Place: Marsh boardwalk
What to Bring: Shoes that can get muddy, binoculars(for distant birds), water and insect repellant
No fee, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
until August 31, 2007, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Every Week on Tuesday

Cast Netting 101 – Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina

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Would you like to be able to catch fresh shrimp for dinner, or possibly enough shrimp for you and your friends throughout the year? Then you should learn the art of cast netting. Do you like to fish with the best and freshest bait? Then you should learn the art of cast netting. Have you ever wondered what creatures lurk in the tidal creeks of the Lowcountry? Then you should learn the art of cast netting. Do you just enjoy getting wet and muddy? Then cast netting is for you too! Join us at the Nature Center/Fishing Pier for a closer look at life surrounding the pier and gain a skill you can apply to everyday life in the Lowcountry.
Nature Center/ Fishing Pier

July 1, 2007 – August 31, 2007, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Every Week on Thursday
August 1, 2007 – August 31, 2007, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Every Week on Tuesday

Reptiles of the Lowcountry – Huntington Island State Park, South Carolina

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Reds, greens, yellows, oranges…these are just some of the colors that you will find on our native reptiles. These secretive animals are sometimes less than appreciated, but reptiles often help us out. Find out how during this hands-on, or hands-off, program. Some live animals will be available for you to interact with at your comfort level.
Meeting Place: Nature Center
Event Hours: 12:00 to 1:00 pm
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Saturdays