Resources
Our Lowcountry lifestyle is dependent upon our healthy, beautiful waterways. The salt marsh and tidal creeks provide us with a variety of recreational opportunities, delicious seafood, and a prosperous economy. The Lowcountry Stormwater Partners strive to protect these wonderful waterways by engaging citizens in stormwater education and public involvement opportunities. You can also be a solution to stormwater pollution and help keep our water clean and productive for generations to come! Take a look at the resources below to learn more about our waterways, sustainable landscaping tips, and ways to install and maintain stormwater best management practices like rain gardens and ponds!
Landscaping Resources
Interested in improving your home or business' landscaping? Want to learn new ways to beautify your yard, save money, and protect water quality? These resources will help you do all of these!
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Clemson Extension's Carolina Yards program works with residents to create healthy, watershed-friendly landscapes. Using simple and effective gardening methods, create a low maintenance yard that works with nature, rather than against it. Carolina Yards also regularly offers a five-week, online course designed to help Carolina gardeners learn to grow and maintain a low maintenance and low impact yard. |
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These factsheets offer research-based information on stormwater management, ponds, rain gardens, and other topics! |
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Clemson Cooperative Extension's Home and Garden Information Center The Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) provides research-based information on landscaping, gardening, plant health, household pests, food safety & preservation, and nutrition, physical activity & health. |
Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Looking to incorporate a rain garden, rain barrel, or other stormwater management practice at your site? Have a question about pond management or maintenance of another BMP? These resources can introduce you to the variety of BMPs available, support for BMP maintenance, and installation recommendations!
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Carolina Rain Garden Initiative The Carolina Rain Garden Initiative provides tools and resources to assist with the installation of rain gardens in diverse settings such as yards, schoolyards, community centers and more! |
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A Guide to Rain Gardens in South Carolina Learn all about rain gardens and their potential to protect local water quality. This manual is free to download and includes step-by-step instructions on how to design, build, plant, and maintain a residential rain garden. It is available for free download. |
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Rainwater Harvesting for Homeowners Learn all about the environmental, financial, and horticultural benefits of small scale residential rainwater harvesting. This manual is free to download and includes instructions and tips for building your own rain barrel and creating a watershed-friendly home landscape! It is available for free download. |
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These factsheets offer research-based information on stormwater management, ponds, rain gardens, and other topics! |
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SC Stormwater Pond Management Website This site assists homeowners associations (HOAs), community managers, property management companies, and waterfront residents with choosing the best management options for maintaining their stormwater ponds. This site includes a diagnostic tool that provides recommendations for fixing and preventing common problems that develop as stormwater ponds age. |
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Low Impact Development in Coastal South Carolina: A Planning and Design Guide This guide covers what Low Impact Development is, how it functions in coastal South Carolina, and includes tools to help you understand how to design, build, and maintain a wide variety of BMPs! It is available for free download. |
Saltmarsh and Coastal Living Resources
We live in such a wonderfully diverse and dynamic part of the state! The following resources can provide you with a background on the importance of salt marshes, current water quality research in our area, and tips to live in balance with our amazing environment.
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Guide to the Salt Marshes and Tidal Creels of the Southeastern United States This guide covers not only what salt marshes are and why they're important, but also serve as an identification guide to the diverse wildlife that calls these ecosystems home. It is available for free download. |
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Tidal Creek Habitats: Sentinels of Coastal Health This handy guide covers what a tidal creek is, the role they play in our environment and economy, and how studies are being conducted on how development and urban sprawl affect these ecosystems. It is available for free download. |
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The South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium is a state agency that, through a program of research, education, extension, and training, enhances economic opportunities and conservation of coastal and marine resources for South Carolina citizens. Their extension and education programs are great resources for homeowners and educators! |
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Through this program, marinas can qualify to fly the South Carolina Clean Marina flag to attract recreational and transient boaters to their facility meeting prescribed environmental performance criteria. More than 30 states and territories operate Clean Marina programs using best management practices to protect and improve water quality at marinas. |
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South Carolina Coastal Information Network The South Carolina Coastal Information Network (SCCIN) grew out of the shared goals of coastal institutions and organizations to enhance coordination of community outreach efforts in the state. The Network includes partners from more than 20 federal and state agencies, regional government entities, and private organizations seeking to coordinate and/or jointly deliver outreach programs that target coastal community constituents. |
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Community Associations and Stormwater Management: A South Carolina Perspective This document discusses the effect development has on our water quality and the role community associations can play in the protection of water quality. It is available for free download. |