To enhance water resource protection and stewardship throughout Florence and Darlington Counties through stormwater education, public involvement and outreach, and by fostering partnerships with local governments, citizens, businesses, schools, and organizations to support healthy waterways.

Announcements

Carolina Clear offers Water Words
That Work Training 

For those who train in different disciplines, environmental writing for everyday citizens can be a frustrating challenge, but the Water Words That Work message method makes it much easier to succeed.  It's designed to turn those blank stares into nodding heads - to turn passive "environmental awareness" into pro-environmental behavior.  Erik Eckl's mthods will help you to create and deliver messages that will reach your target audience and inspire them to action.

The workshop will be held on June 20 from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Olympia Room in Columbia.  Click here to view a downloadable flyer with more detailed information about the workshop.

Storm Drain Marking in Progress

The FDSC, with the assistance of volunteers, is working to raise awareness about stormwater pollution through storm drain marking. 

If you have received a door hanger like the one picture here, a special storm drain marker has been applied to storm drains in your neighborhood.  Stormwater runoff is a major source of water pollution.  YOU can be a solutions to stormwater pollution.  Help us identify ways to protect water quality where you live by completing the Storm Drain Marking Survey.

Volunteers are needed to mark drains in Florence and Darlington Counties.  All materials are provided including markers, adhesive, safety vests, and door hangers.  For more information about the storm drain marking program, contact Terasa Young.

New Tools on Carolina Clear Website

Carolina Clear has added two new pages to help protect water quality.  Click on the links below to learn more.

Pond Management Website - Find the answers to common questions pertaining to managing stormwater ponds such as fish kills, algal blooms, erosion problems, nuisance wildlife, and more.

Restaurants and Stormwater - This page is aimed at assisting restuarants in managing Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG).

Consortium Earns Communication Awards at National and State Level for 2011

The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) Communication Awards program recognizes NACAA members who excel in communicating programs and ideas to their clientele.  Awards in each of the fourteen (14) categories are given to: National Category Winner, 3 National Category Finalists, 8 Regional Category Finalists, and State Category Winners.  Terasa Young, FDSC Coordinator, was named 2011 Southern Regional Finalist in the Audio Recording Category.  The award was given for radio public service announcements for the Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium.  Click here to visit the NACAA award page and listen to the public service announcements.

The South Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents is the state affiliate of NACAA in South Carolina.  The "Leaf it on the Lawn: Tips for Proper Yard Debris Disposal" fact sheet was awarded second place in the Fact Sheet Category.  Terasa was also awarded second place in the Personal Column category.  Her column appears in the Pee Dee Living section of the Morning News the first Sunday of each month.  Click here to read a selected column.

Recent Events

Critters in the River Workshop

On Saturday, May 5, 18 children participated in the Critters in the River Workshop held at Lynches River County Park.  The workshop was hosted by the Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium and the Environmental Discovery Center with support from the Pee Dee District of the Water Environment Association of South Carolina and Davis & Brown.  These 5th-8th grade students spent the day learning about river ecology and ways to keep our waterways clean and safe.

Storm Drain Marking at Coker College

Beach Sweep/River Sweep at
Jeffries Creek Park

On September 17, 2011, the FDSC along with Keep Florence Beautiful and the Pee Dee Group of the Sierra Club organized a cleanup at Jeffries Creek Park in Florence.  The cleanup was part of the 23rd annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep organized statewide by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.  53 volunteers participated in the event and collected an estimated 620 pounds of trash and recyclables.  Thanks to everyone who helped to keep our waterways clean and safe.