One of the things that makes Seabrook Island so special is the breadth of interests and talents shared by its residents. Fortunately, we have a wide variety of avenues to nurture those interests and talents. Depending on what is important to you and how you like to spend your time, you might want to check out these groups concerned with nature.
Dolphin Conservation Education Program
The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) is dedicated to protecting local marine mammals for future generations through science, awareness, and conservation. We provide education and outreach to beach visitors on Kiawah and Seabrook Islands about strand feeding dolphins. Educators are present on the beach daily during peak feeding times to collect baseline data on strand feeding occurrences as well as engage with visitors on the topic of our local dolphins and what can be done to protect them.
To learn more about this program, click here. If you are interested in volunteering, email brooke@lmmn.org.
Seabrook Island Birders
Seabrook Island Birders (SIB) are residents, renters and guests of Seabrook Island, SC, who have an interest in learning, protecting, and providing for the well-being of the incredible variety of birds that inhabit Seabrook Island throughout the year.
SIB’s mission is:
- to enlighten residents and others about the richness and diversity of Seabrook Island’s bird life;
- to foster an appreciation for the unique habitats our island provides for these varied species: and,
- to emphasize the importance of protecting our wildlife and these natural habitats that are essential for the survival of our native birds as well as the migratory birds we host.
In order to reach these goals SIB sponsors:
- educational activities, a website (seabrookislandbirders.org), a blog, a Facebook page, quarterly membership meetings, lectures, workshops, newspaper and magazine articles, etc.
- various interactive activities including bird walks, local and national bird counts, the monitoring of Eastern Bluebird boxes, participation in special Island events such as Earth Day, the July Fourth Parade, etc.
- SIB members’ involvement with other Seabrook Island environmental organizations’ committees and activities.
Contact: SeabrookIslandBirders@gmail.com
Website: https://seabrookislandbirders.org/
Seabrook Island Birders Shorebird Steward Program
Seabrook Island is a remarkable habitat for shorebirds and provides a critical stopover for them on their migration journey to the Artic. The Seabrook Island ShorebirdSteward Program shares its shorebird conservation message with beachgoers and educates them about birds like Red Knots. Shorebird Steward volunteers ask beachgoers to respect the shorebirds as they are feeding in the surf or resting at the inlet by not approaching the birds too closely and by walking around them. Their message is: “Share the Beach-Give The Birds Space.” You can reach out to them if you are interested in volunteering.
Contact: sibstewards@gmail.com
Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy
The Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy (SIGSC) was formed in 2000 to help protect and conserve undeveloped properties on Seabrook Island. Green Space acquires land through purchase, donations, or a combination of methods. Once the land is acquired it is quickly deeded over to SIPOA, as Green Space. “Green Space” is defined as that gift of land or perpetual conservation easement which cannot be subdivided, sold or otherwise disposed of under conditions that would permit its use for the erection of any structure whatsoever.
SIGSC is served by a Board of Directors each of whom serves a typical three-year term, which begins in October of each year. More information can be found on our website www.sigsc.net. Donations and comments can be sent from this web page.
At this time, SIGSC has conserved 42 properties making up over 30 acres of land. The next time you pass through the “Canopy” on Seabrook Island Road and immediately feel “at home,” give a special thanks to The Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy.
Contact: President: Meg Carter, greenspace@sigsc.net , 540-597-6314
Website: https://sigsc.net
Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol
The Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol works to protect and preserve the sea turtles that visit our beaches during the summer months. Our season typically runs from May through October with volunteers on the beach every day looking for new nests, checking existing nests, helping stranded hatchlings and inventorying already hatched nests. Volunteers can sign up to handle a number of tasks including walking in the morning, checking nests in the early evening, educating the public and performing inventories. We sign up and train new members in early Spring each year.
Contact: Jane Magioncalda at Email- hello@siturtlepatrol.com or 843-310-4280
Website: https://siturtlepatrol.com
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credits: Turtle Patrol, SIGSC, SIB, Ed Conrad)