South Carolina
List of Sustainability-Focused Extension Programs
Program: 4-H2O: Exploring South Carolina Waterways
Institution: Clemson Cooperative Extension
Category: Water
Range: South Carolina statewide
Description: 4-H2O is a youth education program that has been held annually across the state for more than 12 years. It is a water-based science camp that runs in more than 15 counties across South Carolina, allowing students an opportunity to learn and experience this state’s water resources first-hand. 4-H2O is a hands-on science inquiry program that provides children and adults with knowledge about their local water resources and teaches them the field, analytical and critical thinking skills they need to intelligently participate in making decisions that affect the quality of these aquatic systems. Most of all, the youth will have a FUN and enriching experience on South Carolina’s scenic waterways!
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings
Program: Carolina Rain Garden Initiative
Institution: Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
Category: Water
Range: South Carolina statewide
Description: Rain gardens are a popular and attractive way for homeowners to manage erosion and moisture control issues, beautify the home landscape, create wildlife habitat and protect clean water downstream. The Carolina Rain Garden Initiative provides diverse tools and resources to assist with the installation of rain gardens. The following resources can be found at clemson.edu/raingarden:
The Virtual Rain Garden provides a step-by-step tutorial on rain garden design, installation and maintenance. Locate a nearby rain garden using the list of demonstration rain gardens located throughout South Carolina. Rain gardens can be showcased using the Rain Garden Tracker tool. Through this initiative, landscape design and installers are trained, certified and highlighted as “go to” professionals able to install a rain garden for residents. Past and upcoming rain garden workshop opportunities are listed. And links to useful resources including the free download of the Carolina Clear Rain Garden manual and links to the Carolina Yards plant database.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Certification, Video tutorials, Demonstration sites.
Program: Carolina Yards
Institution: Clemson Cooperative Extension
Category: Land, Water
Range: North Carolina statewide
Description: Carolina Yards was designed to assist and guide South Carolina homeowners in conserving water in the landscape and in making positive changes in the environmental quality of their yards, neighborhoods, and surrounding waterways by implementing and maintaining low impact and low maintenance yard practices.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Website, Information, Certification
Program: Master Pond Manager
Institution: Clemson Cooperative Extension
Category: Water
Range: South Carolina statewide
Description: Master Pond Manager is a hybrid, online and field course that provides pond owners and managers with integrated recreational and stormwater pond management training to protect pond function and the health of downstream waterways.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Certification
Program: South Carolina 4-H Natural Resources
Institution: Clemson University
Category: Land, Water
Range: South Carolina statewide
Description: The field of natural resources, including ecology and conservation biology, is becoming an increasingly important area of study as we learn more about the influences of human activities on ecosystems and seek to build a more sustainable society. The world is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, but the problems associated with their conservation are immense. Protecting rare and endangered species, preventing and controlling invasive species, preserving old-growth forests, restoring degraded ecosystems, and balancing the resource demands of industry and the public are just some of the environmental issues we face! As a 4-H’er involved in natural resources programs, youth learn methods for confronting some of the world’s most pressing problems, become advocates for the environment, and understand the science behind the issues! Several state-level projects are offered in the area of natural resources including wildlife, pollinators, gardening, forestry, water, and shooting sports!
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Information, Record books
Program: Post-Construction BMP Inspector Hybrid Course
Institution: Clemson University
Category: Water
Range: Regional
Description: The Post-Construction BMP Inspector course aims to train professionals in methods and strategies for conducting routine and thorough inspections of post-construction stormwater management practices. We include traditional BMPs, such as ponds, as well as green infrastructure practices. The course blends an online course with an in-person field day.
Program Offerings: Face-to-face trainings, Certification, Online/ Hybrid course
