At the most recent Environmental Committee meeting, Lauren Rust, head of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, gave the committee an overview of the LMMN’s work at our beach this summer. The volunteers watched over our strand-feeding dolphins in four hour stretches at low tide to educate beach goers while keeping the dolphins safe. The volunteers reported that more than 90% of the interactions they had were very positive. Ms. Rust also cited studies in which dolphin behavior was altered or extinguished by human interaction to point out the danger of interfering in any way with the strand-feeding. For more information contact Ms. Rust at info@lowcountrymarinemammalnetwork.org.
Town Councilman John Wells accompanied Ms. Rust to the meeting and addressed the committee regarding possible cooperation between SIPOA and the Town on our beach. He talked about ways the Town may be able to help SIPOA organizations that use the beach such as the Turtle Patrol and SI Birders who monitor the shorebirds. Councilman Wells requested that committee members involved submit ideas to the Town.
The Environmental Committee members want to thank Councilman Wells and Lauren Rust for the time they spent with us and we look forward to working with them in the future.
–Rich Siegel, Chair, Environmental Committee