Natural resource agent joins Carolina Clear and Clemson Extension

Published: May 19, 2011

Carolina Clear image by: Carolina Clear

CHARLESTON — Carolina Clear has appointed Kim Counts as a natural resource Extension agent in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties. She is based at the Charleston County Extension office in downtown Charleston.

As co-coordinator of the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium, Counts will plan and implement targeted stormwater awareness and involvement initiatives in the Lowcountry with the support of the consortium’s partners. Counts also will work on increasing program visibility in the region.

She brings a wealth of experience in program development, project management, community outreach and environmental field work. She previously worked for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources as a stewardship biologist assigned to the Coastal Reserves and Outreach Office.

A native of James island, Counts graduated from Presbyterian College in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in biology. In 2008, she received a master’s degree from the College of Charleston in environmental studies with an emphasis in community outreach and education.

“Kim will prove a valuable addition to this program team,” said Katie Giacalone, Carolina Clear coordinator. “Her background includes teaching, field work, community involvement and outreach development. Her experience and successes speak to her abilities and passion in this field.”

The Ashley Cooper consortium is a regional collaboration involving the Carolina Clear program in partnership with communities and educators from universities, state agencies and nonprofits.

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Carolina Clear
Carolina Clear is a stormwater education and involvement 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.