Savannah Valley District

The Mystery of Storm Drains

Beatriss Calhoun, Water Resources Extension Agent  In your day-to-day life, you may rarely hear people say, “Have you seen that storm drain lately?” Ideally, stormwater managers would love to hear the response, “Yes — and it’s working and looking great!” However, the truth is that most storm drains go unnoticed. As development continues to expand […]

Canada Goose Impacts on Pond Ecosystems and Management Strategies 

Mike Windhorn, Regional Forestry and Natural Resources Agent & Molly Jones, Regional Water Resources Agent    Canada Geese are grazers that prefer well-maintained lawns next to a body of water. They are very wary of predators, so they prefer large open areas where they can easily see an approaching predator. They also use ponds for rest […]

Leave the Leaves this Fall

SAMANTHA PORZELT, WATER RESOURCES AGENT FOR BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, AND DORCHESTER COUNTIES Fall is finally here, and the yearly question comes: Should you rake the leaves or let them be? While bagging them up has long been the tradition, conservation groups like the National Wildlife Federation encourage a different approach: leave the leaves where they fall. […]

Help your Yard Beat the Heat by Watering Wisely

Ellen Sturup Comeau, Water Resources Agent, Beaufort County Sunny weather, hot temperatures, and high humidity are here! Staying hydrated is critical to staying healthy in the intense weather, and the same is true for the plants in your yard. However, did you know that overwatering your plants can lead to more issues than underwatering them? […]

Hope in the Rain

Beatriss Calhoun, Water Resources Extension Agent  Rain in the Lowcountry often feels more like a threat than a benefit. Flooded roads, soggy yard spaces, and overflowing ditches all have a way of making a good storm challenging. However, what if we looked at the rain differently? What if each storm offered not just a challenge […]

Summertime Considerations for Rain Gardens

Samantha Porzelt, Water Resources Agent for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties Rain gardens are landscaped depressions strategically placed to capture stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces like rooftops, driveways, and compacted lawns. Designed to mimic natural water infiltration, they filter and absorb runoff, reducing erosion, flooding, and pollution while replenishing groundwater. Rain gardens help remove contaminants […]

Residential Drinking Well Testing and Water Quality

Molly Jones, Clemson Extension Area Water Resources Agent Residential wells are prevalent in the rural areas of South Carolina. Proper maintenance of well systems is crucial to ensuring safe drinking water. Being aware of recommendations for maintaining a residential well will assist well owners in avoiding possible illness from drinking contaminated water. Maintaining a clean […]

Save Money by Capturing Rainwater from Spring Showers

Ellen Sturup Comeau, Beaufort County Water Resources Agent Rain barrels are a sustainable landscaping practice that lets residents collect rainwater that runs off their roofs and store it for later use. The collected rainwater is not potable but can be used to water plants, wash vehicles, fill bird baths, wash pets, and more! In the […]

Dorchester County Administrative Assistant to Retire after 32 and 1/2 years of service

Clemson Cooperative Extension Service Mrs. Paula Varn has dedicated 32 ½ years of service to Clemson Cooperative Extension in Dorchester County as a valued office Administrative Assistant. Paula is well-known and respected within the community of Saint George, SC. She is loved by her fellow Administrative Assistants and Extension Agent colleagues.  Through the years, she […]

Spring Clean-Up: A Homeowner’s Guide to Protecting Stormwater Quality

Beatriss Calhoun, Water Resources Extension Agent & Sarah Waickowski, Assistant Professor As spring approaches, planning your outdoor household needs are always beneficial. A basic plan can help save money and benefit your community’s environment and beyond. By incorporating a few simple practices listed below, whether it’s managing lawn care more efficiently, reducing the need for […]