Science educator joins Carolina Clear in Pee Dee

Published: April 20, 2010

Carolina Clear image by: Carolina Clear

FLORENCE — A seasoned science educator with more than 10 years experience has joined Clemson University’s Carolina Clear stormwater pollution education and awareness program in the Pee Dee region.

Terasa Young will serve a Carolina Clear natural resources agent based at the Florence County Extension office and as coordinator of the Florence/Darlington Stormwater Consortium. 

Prior to joining Clemson, Young was supervisor of the Environmental Discovery Center at Lynches River County Park. She also designed and conducted educational programs for the Children’s Museum of South Carolina and was a biology teacher at Carolina Forest High School in Myrtle Beach.

Young received a bachelor’s degree in biology, graduating magna cum laude, and Master of Education degree, both from Coastal Carolina University. She also earned a master naturalist certification through Clemson.

Representatives from Florence and Darlington counties and the city of Florence signed a resolution Nov. 18, 2009, to officially adopt a regional stormwater education strategy through the Florence/Darlington consortium.

The consortium is a partnership between communities and educators from universities, state agencies and nonprofits, and is the sixth regional collaboration involving the Carolina Clear program. It follows similar efforts in Lexington, Pickens and Richland counties; along the Grand Strand; and in the Lowcountry.

In her role with Carolina Clear, Young will work with consortium members to educate the public about ways to minimize polluted stormwater runoff in the region’s streams, rivers and basins.

“The Pee Dee region is an area with valuable but fragile natural resources,” Young said. “By combining efforts, Carolina Clear and consortium members can deliver a strong educational message across the region.

“My goal is to keep our water as clean as possible,” she said.

Cal Sawyer, associate director of the Clemson University Center for Watershed Excellence, said Young’s background in natural resources and science education will prove a valuable addition to the Carolina Clear team.

“Economically and environmentally, the Pee Dee is one of the state’s most important regions,” Sawyer said. “Terasa will play a pivotal role in protecting the region’s water quality and the financial issues associated with its environmental integrity.”

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Carolina Clear
Carolina Clear is a stormwater education and awareness program of the Clemson University Restoration Institute and the Center for Watershed Excellence. The program’s goal is to minimize polluted stormwater runoff by educating the public, youth, builders, developers, homeowners and government officials about how they can keep water in the state’s streams, rivers and basins as clean as possible.