North Coast Newsletter: Spring into rain gardens

Welcome to the March 2024 issue of the North Coast newsletter! We have been super busy in this new year and can’t believe it’s already spring. With spring comes the transition of seasons, new growth, and life. As a biologist, this has always been my favorite time of year, as I prepared for field season surveys or growing season prescribed fire applications. And as a dad, this time of year makes me want to camp every weekend with my family and friends! It’s a pleasure to get outside and see what is emerging with the warming temps. As you’re looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors this spring, read on to learn about rain gardens and how they provide new ways to offset soggy parts of your yard and promote pollinators through native plantings.

As always, we welcome your thoughts on how we can work together to enhance conservation on the North Coast. You can reach me at [email protected] and Becky Ryon at [email protected].

What is a rain garden?

I was not familiar with rain gardens or the benefits they provide until a few years ago when the Conservation League graciously allowed me to pursue Clemson’s Master Rain Gardner program. Not only was the training top notch, but it has also allowed me to get out into the field for rain garden installations on multiple occasions. You all probably know how much I like to get out of the office when I can! But in addition to being a fun outlet for me, rain gardens are more than meets the eye. These installations are a means to capture and filtrate stormwater, and fuel a chain reaction of benefits.

While rain gardens can’t solve major flooding issues–like riverine flooding–they can effectively capture runoff after a large precipitation event. Appropriately sited between the impervious surface (think roof or driveway) and the wet area (soggy part of your yard, ditch, or nearby wetland) rain gardens slowly percolate, or filter the water, in less than 72 hours. This attribute keeps pollutants from immediately entering our water sources, protecting water quality. In turn, a rain garden stores water in its depressional bowl shape, alleviating long-term standing water issues that often attract mosquitos.

Soil amendments are required to some degree and native plants are mandatory if you ask me. Native plants benefit the larger ecosystem so much more than non-native ones, as they are more hardy and require less maintenance. They also reduce the risk for exotic or invasive plants to escape. Native plants also benefit our native insects, which we rely on to pollinate our food crops. Rain gardens have an amplitude of benefits, so look into installing your own!

Rain gardens in action

The North Coast office has helped install four rain gardens alongside partners in the historical Bucksport Community and are planning for a fifth this April. This is a community that has been faced with repetitive flooding and was searching for ways to help alleviate some of the runoff associated with the larger rains we are experiencing. The efforts have been so energizing and celebrated by not only the community but also by the partners involved. It has been a rewarding way to shine some light on Bucksport, drawing much needed attention from the county governments and other agencies dealing with resiliency efforts.

The community has poured not only labor-intensive hours into their community rain gardens, but also been a part of selecting what plants were used, and where the gardens would go. Along with partners, the Conservation League ensured there was also learning and training opportunities to equip those who participated with knowledge to teach their neighbors how to install rain gardens, too. Inspiringly, many of these installation events ended with everyone sitting around a table enjoying a meal together, feeling good about the work we’d put in to help the community find solutions. There’s no doubt rain gardens have benefited me personally and professionally, and in this case, brought together partners and a community.

Upcoming events

Waccamaw Week 2024

March 22-30, various times and locations

The Waccamaw Riverkeeper and our partners, North Inlet – Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and CCU’s Waccamaw Watershed Academy, will host the 2024 Waccamaw Week in March. During the week of World Water Day, there will be activities and events celebrating the floral beauty of the Waccamaw River watershed.

Learn more: https://winyahrivers.org/myrtle-beach-events/

Green Drinks

March 27, 5:30-7:30 PM., Bonfire Taqueria, Conway

March event hosted by Waccamaw Week partners and friends. Come out to enjoy a drink and some great food alongside the river with like minded folks! Take advantage of this networking opportunity to meet conservationists in the community and local organizations that serve the area.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/myrtlebeachgreendrinks/

Lecture on Waccamaw Indian People by Chief Harold Hatcher

April 6, 1:00 PM, Horry County Museum, Conway

The Horry County Museum presents a lecture by Chief Harold Hatcher on the Waccamaw Indian People, focusing on the history of the Waccamaw Indian People from ancient times to today, including their presence around the time of the Revolutionary War and in the Dimery Settlement.

Volunteer: Rain garden work day

April 10, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Bucksport

Join us for a work day as we prep for the building of a rain garden in partnership with the Bucksport community, Coastal Carolina University and Clemson Extension. While this will be fun day in nature for a good purpose, participants should expect to do manual labor and be able to lift up to 50 pounds! We will shovel, dig, excavate, lift soil and plant material to prep the site for the Bucksport community rain garden.

RSVP: https://www.coastalconservationleague.org/events/rain-garden-workday-in-bucksport/

Environmental Advocacy Talk with Trapper and Mary Edna

April 11, 6:00-7:30 PM, Horry County Memorial Library

Join us to learn how and why to get involved in environmental advocacy as a community member and through grassroots activism. There will be a focus on why the community should care to protect our public lands and waters, with emphasis on Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve and why the prescribed fires there are of particular importance.

RSVP: https://www.coastalconservationleague.org/events/environmental-advocacy-talk-with-trapper-fowler-mary-edna-fraser/

Volunteer: Oyster Reef Build with SCDNR

May 2, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Murrells Inlet

Do you enjoy eating the seafood in the Seafood Capital of South Carolina? Give back and join us with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ oyster team to build an oyster reef in Murrells Inlet!

RSVP: https://www.coastalconservationleague.org/events/volunteer-murrells-inlet-oyster-reef-build-with-scdnr-2/

Lewis Ocean Bay Nature Walk with Trapper

May 10, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Conway

Join our North Coast Project Manager and Certified Wildlife Biologist, Trapper Fowler, for a guided nature walk through Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve. Learn about the importance of South Carolina’s unique and special habitat – the carolina bay, while also gaining insight to the threats that surround this area.

RSVP: https://www.coastalconservationleague.org/events/lewis-ocean-bay-nature-walk-with-trapper-fowler-2/

County government meetings

Horry County Planning Commission Workshop

Thursday, March 28 at 3:00 PM

Horry County Government & Justice Center, 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway

Find more information here

Horry County Council

Tuesday, April 2 at 6:00 PM

Horry County Government & Justice Center, 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway

Find more information here

Horry County Planning Commission

Thursday, April 4 at 5:30 PM