Be Vigilant and Help Protect South Carolina Honey Bees from Invasive Hornets
In October a mailer from the Clemson Invasive Species Program was sent to Lowcountry locals requesting that they report any nest sightings of the Yellow-legged Hornet, Vespa velutina (YLH). This species of wasp is invasive and native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. The mailers included a QR code to report sightings.
“Yellow-legged hornets prey on insects, including honey bees. If they become established in the United States, they could seriously affect honey bee populations, reduce pollination, and impact agriculture.” USDA
Our Vital Natural Habitats Protecting our Coast and Marshlands
Join us for an engaging presentation on the preservation of our coastal ecosystems, featuring Dr. Blake Scott from the College of Charleston and Captain Chris Crolley of Coastal Expeditions.
Explore three collaborative initiatives dedicated to protecting our local environment:
The Bird Island Research Department (B.I.R.D.)
The Coastal Expeditions Foundation
The Marsh Appreciation and Restoration Society for Happiness (M.A.R.S.H.) Project
Event Details:
Date: Monday, October 19, 2026 Time: Registration* and light refreshments at 6:30 pm, Program starts at 7:00 pm Location: Seabrook Island Lake House
On October 7, 2026 at 10:00 am, St. Michael’s Church in Charleston will celebrate its 275th anniversary, honoring the church’s place in Charleston and American history while looking ahead to its future. Mayor William Cogswell and Helen Hill of Explore Charleston will join the Rev. Al Zadig Jr. to speak about St. Michael’s history and what’s ahead. All are invited. Location is 71 Broad St. and parking is available on site.
First commissioned in 1751 and completed in 1761, St. Michael’s is the oldest church building on the Charleston peninsula. It remains an active place of worship and one of the city’s most recognizable historic landmarks, welcoming parishioners as well as visitors drawn to its history, architecture, and prominent place at the Four Corners of Law.
Bridging Generations: Honoring History Through Art with Ayanna Gadsden ◊ October 3, 2026
Join Gullah Geechee artist and Drayton Hall descendant Ayanna Gadsden for an intimate creative workshop that weaves together history, identity, and the spiritual fabric of the Lowcountry. Through mixed-media techniques, participants will respond to the stories and landscapes of the region, guided by a local artist rooted in its cultural traditions. The session offers a reflective, hands-on experience that connects artistic practice with personal and collective memory in a historic setting.
Preservation Trivia Night at Holy City Brewery ◊ October 7, 2026
Join Drayton Hall for a lively, preservation-focused trivia evening that brings together history enthusiasts and community members. The event centers on topics related to historic preservation, architecture, and Drayton Hall’s history, offering a social atmosphere for testing your knowledge and learning more about Drayton Hall. Expect an engaging mix of questions, friendly competition, and an opportunity to connect with other preservation enthusiasts.
Click here for more information on these and other events at Drayton Hall.
En Plein Workshop ◊ October 4, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Visit Magnolia Gardens for a special en plein air workshop in partnership with Alia Kroos of the Charleston Artist Guild. This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from an accomplished artist as she shares her process from start to finish in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Alia will demonstrate each stage of her plein air painting process, walking you through thumbnails and sketching, blocking in, and refining, while explaining her tips and tricks along the way. After each demonstration, you’ll put brush to canvas and apply what you’ve learned, with personalized guidance and critiques from Alia.
Airing of the Quilts◊ October 10, 2026, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Join the West Ashley Quilting and Sewing Group and Island Quilters Guild for a colorful day at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Stroll through the scenic Cathedral Glade and experience the Airing of the Quilts.
This cherished, generations-old tradition brings handmade quilts out into the fresh air and sunshine to freshen up after a long summer in storage. You’ll discover a stunning array of styles, including patchwork, appliqué, English paper piecing, scrappy, traditional, and modern designs.
Click here for more information on these and other events at Magnolia Plantation.
Community Day at the Dill Sanctuary 1163 Riverland Dr. Charleston, SC 29412 Saturday, October 3, 2026 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Come experience the largest area of privately protected land on James Island, The Charleston Museum’s Dill Sanctuary. On October 3, 2026, the Museum invites the community to tour this precious landscape to learn more about the rich historic and natural features located within this 580-acre wildlife preserve. Click here to register.
Dr. Blake Scott is an expert storyteller, historian, published author, and an associate professor at the College of Charleston. His research delves into cultural and ecological links connecting the United States with the Caribbean and Latin America. He is also the co-founder of the M.A.R.S.H. Project.
Captain Chris Crolley, founder, owner, and CEO of Coastal Expeditions, has been a leading figure in ecotourism and outdoor guiding in the South Carolina Lowcountry since 1992. With over 30 years of experience exploring, guiding, and advocating for the protection of our coastline and marshlands, he brings invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing our region.
We invite you to join us on Monday, October 19, for this engaging presentation as Dr. Blake Scott and Captain Chris Crolley share their insights and experiences related to the conservation of South Carolina’s vital marshlands and coastal ecosystems.
Light refreshments and registration will begin at 6:30 pm. To register, please scan the following QR code:
Nature Journaling Workshop◊ September 12, 20269:00-11:00 am
Join the Summerville Artist Guild for a peaceful and inspiring morning of nature journaling at Magnolia. This immersive two-hour experience begins with a brief introduction, followed by time spent exploring the gardens—observing, sketching, and photographing the natural world around you. Then, return to the Magnolia Workshop to turn your field notes and sketches into your own personalized nature journal.
A Mindful Morning at Magnolia ◊ September 19, 2026 9:00-11:00 am
Experience a peaceful morning of movement and community at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. Begin with a gentle yoga flow beneath the live oaks, followed by a slow-paced Lowcountry brunch. Come as you are, move with intention, and stay awhile.
Bluegrass, BBQ & Brews ◊ September 26, 2026 1:00-4:00 pm
Experience the best of Southern tradition at Bluegrass, BBQ & Brews at Magnolia! Gather your family and friends to enjoy a stunning fall afternoon in the Lowcountry. Sample delicious BBQ and local craft beers, then relax under the historic oaks to the sounds of live bluegrass by the Green Levels.
Brackish Bracelet Design Workshop◊ September 26, 2026 10:00 am
Visit Drayton Hall for a Brackish Design Workshop and create something uniquely yours in this hands-on design class. Guests will curate their own layout – selecting from a range of beautiful components, textures, and colors – then work alongside a skilled artisan who will professionally assemble the final piece into a custom bracelet.
It is the perfect blend of creativity and craftsmanship: you design it, Brackish brings it to life. Whether you’re making a meaningful keepsake or a one-of-a-kind gift, you’ll leave with a bracelet that’s as personal as it is polished.
In addition to the other planned events, a very special exhibit is on view this month at the Charleston Museum. On display now through August 30, is an original copy of the Declaration of Independence . Plan to step out of the heat one day and enjoy seeing an important piece of our history.
Third Annual Bourbon & Bluegrass at Middleton Place November 7, 2026 5:00-8:00 pm
Get ready for an unforgettable evening in one of Charleston’s most stunning settings at the third annual Bourbon & Bluegrass at Middleton Place, the Foundation’s fundraising event of the year. Enter through the illuminated historic oaks and be welcomed with a Bill Green traditional oyster roast over an open fire. Savor elevated small plates inspired by Lowcountry history and culture, sip handcrafted cocktails from leading bourbon producers, and enjoy live music under the stars.
This special event is about more than food, drinks, and music. It is an opportunity to directly support the Middleton Place Foundation’s mission of historic preservation, education, and research. By attending, you help sustain America’s Oldest Landscaped Gardens and support vital educational programming that serves more than 100,000 visitors and 10,000 students each year.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Experience the beauty of Drayton Hall in a relaxed afternoon setting with live music, historic landscapes, and on-site refreshments. Stroll beneath iconic oak trees while enjoying the atmosphere and conversation. Your ticket grants access to the grounds and galleries and includes your first glass of beer or wine; additional drinks are available for purchase.
Make, Dip & Dye for Adults ◊ August 8, 20261:00-2:30 pm
Spend an afternoon at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens creating your own textile masterpiece. Using traditional indigo dye techniques and a rich extract derived from a humble green plant, you’ll watch your fabric emerge from the vat and transform into a signature blue right before your eyes. Unwind, create, and connect while enjoying a selection of light bites and refreshments.
As part of Magnolia Plantation’s America 250 programming, this hands-on workshop dives deep into the science of natural fermentation and oxidation. They will also honor and uncover the complex history of indigo—one of colonial South Carolina’s most powerful cash crops—and the vital knowledge and labor of enslaved Africans who mastered its cultivation in the Lowcountry.
This program will also be offered on November 7, 2026.
Bluegrass and Storytelling ◊ August 14, 20267:00-8:30 pm
Enjoy an unforgettable performance by Grammy-nominated Josh Goforth as he brings the heart of Appalachian mountain music straight to the Lowcountry. A master of bluegrass, old-time, and folk music, Josh has captivated audiences across the country with his exceptional musicianship, warm humor, and rich storytelling. Playing a variety of traditional instruments and sharing tales passed down through generations, Josh brings the heritage and spirit of the Appalachian Mountains to life in a truly engaging performance. Whether you are a lifelong lover of acoustic music or simply seeking an evening of rich Southern storytelling, Goforth’s breathtaking performance promises to sweep you off your feet.
Goforth grew up in Madison County, North Carolina surrounded by the music and stories of his ancestors. He is a highly accomplished storyteller and old-time, bluegrass, and swing musician playing close to 20 instruments. His fiddling was featured in the movie Songcatcher, both onscreen and on the soundtrack. He has performed in all 50 states, throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia and gracing such stages as the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and The Grand Ole Opry. He was nominated for a Grammy for his 2009 release with David Holt, entitled Cutting Loose.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Sweetgrass Basket Making Class ◊ August 29, 202610:00-1:00 pm
Join this workshop and create your own one-of-a-kind sweetgrass basket in a special class with Jennifaye Singleton of Geechee Gyal Baskets.
Jennifaye has been making sweetgrass baskets since 1990, an art she learned from her aunt. Sweetgrass basket sewing is view as a gift from God. The craft, handed down from generation to generation, is usually learned from childhood. Baskets require a great deal of patience and creativity, as there no set patterns. Each piece is unique, and each artist develops his or her own style.
All materials, including light refreshments, will be provided. Enjoy complimentary admission with your ticket.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Where: Barrier Island Oyster Farm, 2871 Maybank Hwy. , Johns Island When: October 14 Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am Cost: $99
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Last year, this program was sold out and sign-ups for this fall are coming to a close soon.
Come savor a behind-the-scenes taste of the Lowcountry and discover an insider’s look at sustainable oyster farming! For almost 10 years, Barrier Island Oyster Farm has been growing single select oysters and clams while helping to restore Carolina’s vanishing salt marshes. You will meet a friendly team of marine biologists, conservation advocates, and professional shuckers as knowledgeable as they are passionate about the myriad of benefits of oysters to the local culture, economy and ecology of the Lowcountry. Your tour concludes with an oyster tasting experience featuring single oysters freshly harvested from the farm. Please join us for a memorable oyster farm adventure!
