Coastal Ecosystems Unit Study

Coastal Ecosystems Unit Study

The majority of the class sessions will be outdoors!  This is not a drop off class, parents must accompany their children for each class session for the duration of the period.

By enrolling in this course your students will not only learn about the importance of this critical coastal ecosystem but they will also help to actively restore areas of salt marsh which will allow them to have a hands-on way to learn, serve our local communities, and have fun in the process! The coastline, maritime woodlands, marshes, creeks, and coastal grasses will be explored along the animals that thrive in these habitats.

Included in the course is the From Seeds to Shoreline curriculum that will focus on the cultivation of Sporobolus alterniflorus, the dominant plant in southeastern salt marshes. S. alterniflorus can be seen as the anchor – without this foundational plant, the salt marsh ecosystem would not be able to establish itself along our coastline.

The Seeds to Shoreline program includes five main steps: seed collection, seed storage, seed germination, seedling cultivation, and seedling transplantation. All five steps are done over the course of the academic school year, starting in the fall with seed collection and ending in the spring with a Restoration Day when students transplant their young Sporobolus alterniflorus seedlings.” SC Seagrant.org

“The course will provide students with the opportunity to study the salt marsh tidal creek ecosystem that is crucial as a nursery ground for some estuarine animals, such as mud minnows and snails, that complete their life cycle within this ecosystem. Others, such as white and brown shrimp, red drum, mullet, and blue crab as well as many other recreationally and commercially valuable fish species spawn in the open estuary and ocean where initial developmental occurs. Students will become aware of the many species of birds that feed on the small fishes and invertebrates that live in the salt marsh. We will look closely at birds that nest in Southeastern salt marshes as well as reptiles, amphibians and mammals that live and thrive there and depend upon the Spartina grass and its role in the marshes.” SCDNR

The lessons in the course will meet many of the national and state ecosystem science standards for the elementary and secondary grade levels. Other activities during the course will include oyster shell collection and recycling, beach sweeps and observing and possibly participating in the building of artificial oyster reefs. We participated in a reef building last month and look forward to future building events.

Field Trips

Port Royal  Cypress Wetlands 2-15-24

Lady’s Island  Crystal Lake Park 3-14-24

Spanish Moss Trail  4-18-24

Nemours Plantation and Nature Preserve  5-16-24

Dates subject to change

Registration Fee is reduced for multiple children enrolled.  Returning families receive a loyalty discount listed as "returnee".  Both new and returnining families receive a sliding reduction for multiple student registrations.    

Class supplies needed:

Each student will need a journal or a notebook to make drawings, collect data and jot down thoughts about the class.

Drawings could be of the specimen, plants, animals and the shoreline. Pencils, markers, pens.

The majority of the classes will be outdoors so comfortable, sturdy, weather appropiate shoes and clothing should be worn.

Insect repellent

Sunblock or Sunscreen

Sunglasses* (not required)

Sun hat or bandanna could be helpful

Backpack 

Snacks/Water

Binoculars* (each public library has binoculars available to borrow)

Waterproof boots for activities near marsh, creeks or other areas with water or mud.

Wipes, facial tissues may come in handy but not required.

List may be expanded.