S.C. Sea Grant Consortium

NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Weather Program Office has funded "Weather the Storm", a groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) simulation designed to help people understand the critical importance of coastal evacuation orders during hurricanes. Developed in partnership with the The University of Georgia, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Clemson University, and S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, the simulation uses real-world data and immersive technology to let users experience the dangers of storm surge firsthand—before facing them in reality. “This co-production took over 25 iterations, with hands-on field testing ensuring scientific accuracy and realism,” says Castle Williamsberg, Ph.D., NOAA’s Weather Program Office. CACHE-Founder Sun Joo (Grace) Ahn from the University of Georgia adds, “We’ve known for decades that VR is a powerful communication tool that can change attitudes and behaviors. Now, with VR becoming more accessible, it’s an essential part of our risk communication toolkit—helping translate critical scientific information into powerful, experiential messages.” ?? The simulation is now available for public download via CACHE's website: https://lnkd.in/esrhwa7P. ?? Read more about the project: https://lnkd.in/e5XG2s44 #HurricanePreparedness #VirtualReality #VR #NOAA #WeatherSafety #EmergencyManagement #ScienceCommunication #SciComm

Did you know? S.C. beaches and barrier islands provide billions of dollars in economic benefits each year! Our beach and barrier island ecosystems include habitats such as sandy beaches, sand dunes, wetlands, and maritime forests. According to our 2021 economic assessment, these habitats produce a variety of benefits to humans and the environment: Recreation generates $1.52 billion - $3.09 billion per year as residents and visitors spend money to recreate in South Carolina beach communities. Coastal protection from wetlands results in $329.39 million - $446.79 million per year as wetlands provide a buffer against wave energy and storm surge as well as necessary storage area for stormwater runoff, helping to reduce impacts from flooding. Water quality protection leads to $66.54 million - $83.08 million per year as wetlands serve as natural filters for sediment and pollution, helping to reduce water treatment costs and improving water quality for important wildlife habitat. Water supply protection saves us $4.21 million - $5.33 million per year as wetlands act like sponges, absorbing and holding water to maintain our water supplies. Protecting our sea turtle habitat is valued at $8.80 million - $12.55 million per year as the sandy beaches near dune systems along coastal shorelines provide critical nesting habitat for sea turtles, species that are popular in coastal South Carolina culture. Carbon storage from wetlands results in $1.72 million - $5.12 million per year because wetlands prevent carbon from being released into the atmosphere, helping to lessen the impacts of climate change. Learn more at the link in our bio or by visiting https://lnkd.in/egrzehn2 Pictured here: Aerial view of Sullivan’s Island, S.C. Photo credit: Noah Stillman/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. Shout out to the National Sea Grant College Program! #scseagrant #economicimpacts

Are you a weather, resilience, or environmental services professional? Join us on either April 10 or May 21 at 1:00 pm for an informational webinar on SECOORA’s water level network and find ways to collaborate and expand accessible water level monitoring. Your community might have a water level monitoring device near a river, shoreline, or tidal creek. Water level data from these sensors is free and publicly accessible. As floods occur more frequently and intensely, your community could use water level sensors to enhance monitoring and warning systems. Register for the webinar at the link in our bio or by visiting https://lnkd.in/eex8aK5C Pictured here: a water level sensor installed in McClellanville, S.C.; the same image with arrows indicating the locations of the sensor, solar panel, and battery housing; a close-up view of the interior of the battery housing; a screenshot from the SECOORA water monitoring network portal indicating the locations of water level monitoring sensors across the coastal Southeast. Photo credit: Hailey Murphy/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium; Ke’Ziyah Williamson/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, and SECOORA. Thank you @seagrant_noaa, @coastalstem, and SECOORA. #waterlevels #floodsafety

The green anole (Anolis carolinensis), pronounced either "a-nole" or "a-NOL-ee," is one of 12 native lizard species in S.C. and is commonly found in the coastal plain, as well as across most of the state. Green anoles possess several interesting traits, including the ability to change color and move their eyes independently, which gives rise to their nickname, "the American chameleon." Much like geckos, green anoles have pads on their feet that allow them to scale vertical structures such as trees, fences, and buildings. However, despite having similar traits to geckos and chameleons, green anoles are, in fact, more closely related to iguanas! Both sexes possess a dewlap, which is a pouch located underneath the head; however, males have a larger dewlap and display it prominently, along with some animated head-bobbing, to attract a female. Feeding on small insects and other small invertebrates, the green anole is prey for several predators including birds, snakes, and small mammals. Interested in marine and environmental science and education? Check out our education newsletter, "The Lettered Olive," for monthly featured species like this one, as well as information on resources and upcoming events for educators. Sign up at the link in our bio! Photo credit: E.V. Bell #LearnMoreOutdoors #SCnature

Congratulations to our very own Matt Gorstein for receiving a Notable State Document Award for his publication The Economic Impact of the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium: A State-Level and Regional Perspective, created in collaboration with Joseph C. Von Nessen, Ph.D., research economist at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. The efforts of the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium inject millions of dollars annually into local communities throughout South Carolina as well as the broader Southeastern United States. This report documents the economic impact of activities supported by the Consortium in fiscal year 2022-2023, including the creation of new jobs and income derived from the acquisition of federal funds; the management of volunteer-driven programs; and support for education and workforce training programs. The report results illustrate that the Consortium’s research, education, and outreach programming is of significant value to economic, environmental, and social well-being. Winners of the South Carolina Notable State Documents awards are announced in honor of Freedom of Information Day, which occurs annually on March 16, at an award ceremony held in Columbia, S.C. Leesa Aiken, South Carolina State Library director said, "South Carolina state documents provide a wealth of information, statistics, and share a broad range of knowledge about our state. I am pleased that we are able to publicly recognize these important publications and websites as notable documents and it is my hope that all South Carolina state agencies continue to produce high-quality documents such as these." Learn about this award and check out the other winners at https://lnkd.in/eQmUDzSK. Read the Economic Impact Report at the link in our bio. Thank you to the South Carolina State Library and the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business! #scseagrant #economicimpacts

Congratulations to Madison Hill, winner of the "Best in Show (Student)" category at the Beyond the Surface exhibit, for her piece “Sodium Hypochlorite 01.” Hill describes her process in this excerpt of her artist statement: "Through various darkroom experiments, I discovered how a film strip’s organic gelatinous base reacted to toxins in a similar fashion to our own human bodies. By exposing the film to constituents detected in the New River such as chloroform and ether, the irreparable effects of contamination in our rivers are made visible." Beyond the Surface, an art exhibition focused on water and environmental science, is open to the public each Saturday through March 22! Swing by during Tiger Strikes Asteroid Gallery’s hours from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm at Monaghan Mill, 201 Smythe Street, Greenville, S.C. 29611. Presented by Tiger Strikes Gallery Greenville and Water Chats partners, this juried exhibition features artwork showcasing the beauty, benefits, and challenges of waters of the Carolinas. Visit the link in our bio or https://lnkd.in/duBz_EmQ for more information, including detailed directions. A special thanks to our sponsors and project partners: Greenville Water, Renewable Water Resources (ReWa), Mount Pleasant Waterworks, Tiger Strikes Asteroid Greenville, Clemson Extension Service, and the S.C. Water Resources Center at Clemson University - College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences! #SCartists #WaterQuality #TSAgreenville

To aid prospective shellfish growers in South Carolina, the Consortium has developed a geographic information system (GIS)-based mariculture site selection tool. This tool allows prospective shellfish growers to view a map of the South Carolina coast and determine whether a potential mariculture location is viable based on environmental hazards, regulatory requirements, and socioeconomic factors. Access the tool and learn how it was developed at the link in our bio or by visiting https://lnkd.in/eAPjr_X5 Pictured here: view of a sunrise over a mariculture oyster farm near Beaufort, S.C.; screenshots from the tool; closeup on water dripping from an algae-laden oyster cage; two hands holding freshly shucked oysters; a tool screenshot showing siting map; tool screenshot showing pop-up layer information of SCDNR areas of concern. Photo Credits: Hailey Murphy/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium; screenshots courtesy of Shu-Mei Huang/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. Thank you to our partners and collaborators at the University of South Carolina, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. #Mariculture #SustainableSeafoods

Congratulations to this year’s South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award winner, Kelly Thorvalson with the S.C. Aquarium! Thorvalson is the Aquarium’s Senior Manager of Conservation Programs who is integral to conservation efforts in plastic pollution mitigation, sustainable seafood, and resilience. She assisted in establishing the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center?, and has led community-based conservation programs that support marine life and habitats, including Plastic-Free Waters, an Aquarium program that mitigates plastic pollution impacts. Thank you for serving our communities and our environment, Kelly! Pictured here: Kelly Thorvalson speaking at the awards ceremony, Thorvalson holding her award surrounded with supporters, colleagues, and coworkers. Shout out to the South Carolina Aquarium, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, SC Department of Environmental Services, and the SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTRY COMMISSION! #EnvironmentalStewards #ConservationThroughEducation

Join us in welcoming the newest member of our team—Josh Kim, our Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Specialist! Josh provides science-based operational and technical support to shellfish growers. He collaborates with Consortium staff, Consortium member institution faculty, and other stakeholders to identify current industry limitations. Additionally, he facilitates applied research that addresses the needs and opportunities of the shellfish aquaculture industry. Josh earned a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from the University of Georgia, and a M.S. in Fisheries and Aquaculture from Louisiana State University. His master’s thesis work focused on the differential biological and economic performance of diploid and triploid Eastern oysters under extreme temperatures and salinities. During his undergraduate at the University of Georgia, Josh interned as a research associate on an aquaculture economic impacts study for the state and worked as a fly-fishing guide on a trophy trout operation in North Georgia. We are excited to have you, Josh! #SCseagrant #NewHireSpotlight

In-season seafood changes frequently – take a look at our guide for March to help you buy sustainably caught or grown seafood this month! You can support your local fishermen and reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing these varieties of finfish and shellfish in South Carolina. #SustainableSeafood #InSeasonSeafood #SCSeafood