Consortium Board of Directors Re-Elect Chair and Vice-Chair

Clemson University Provost Dr. Robert H. Jones was re-elected chair of S.C. Sea Grant Consortium’s Board of Directors and S.C. Department of Natural Resources Director Robert H. Boyles, Jr. was re-elected vice-chair by unanimous votes on November 3, 2022. Both one-year terms began on January 1, 2023.

“I am honored to continue to serve as chairman of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium,” Jones said. “It is a pleasure to work with such an impressive board and outstanding staff, and to build on the Consortium’s successful record of achievement.”

Visit the Consortium’s website to learn more about Clemson University Provost Jones and S.C. Department of Natural Resources Director Boyles.

Photo: Provost Robert H. Jones, Ph.D., Clemson University.

FY24-25 Request for Proposals Now Open

The Consortium's FY2024-2025 Request for Proposals is open and deadlines are fast approaching. Concept Letters are due February 17, 2023 and Full Proposals are due May 19, 2023.

Approximately $1,000,000 from NOAA is anticipated to be available, which will support five to seven one- or two-year projects that have applied outcomes for end users. Please review the Consortium’s draft 2024-2027 Strategic Plan for research and outreach priorities, and contact Susannah Sheldon, Research and Fellowships manager, at (843) 953-2083 to discuss proposal idea(s).

Photo: The Citadel undergraduate students prepare a plastics degradation study.

Consortium Welcomes Science Writer

Erica Hussey recently joined the Consortium as the science writer and editor. Erica will write Coastal Heritage, the award-winning quarterly publication. She also will coordinate the agency’s annual report, and proofread, edit, and develop content for other products.

Erica holds a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Austin, a M.A. in science writing from Johns Hopkins University, and a M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Alabama. Prior to joining the Consortium, she has worked as an editor and writer, a medical research specialist, and an instructor for higher education institutions.

Marine Educator Wins Prestigious Award

E.V. Bell, Marine Education specialist, was awarded the 2022 S.C. Marine Educators Association (SCMEA) President’s Award at the annual meeting in November 2022. Courtney Gerstenmaier-Felton, formerly with the South Carolina Aquarium, chose E.V. because she has gone above and beyond for SCMEA and its members by providing mentorship to many marine environmental educators, guidance to the SCMEA board of directors, and was instrumental in planning the 2022 meeting.

Blue Carbon Database to be Developed

First Horizon Foundation is contributing funds toward the development of a Blue Carbon database for the Southeast and northern Gulf of Mexico coasts. The Consortium will lead the creation of a GIS-based tool that will provide a regional inventory of potential Blue Carbon projects, including those that may allow for carbon offsets to support net zero commitments across the U.S.

First Horizon hosted a Blue Carbon Roundtable that brought together leaders in the scientific and private sectors to discuss current challenges and advance understanding of emerging climate solutions. The roundtable culminated in the development of a Blue Carbon Working Group and the need for a database of Blue Carbon projects.

The publicly available database, expected to be completed by spring 2024, will identify potential pathways for private sector investment in coastal natural resources through Blue Carbon crediting. Additional benefits could include protecting coastal wetlands, sustaining biodiverse habitats, and community resiliency to natural hazards and climate change effects, including sea-level rise. For more information, contact Brita Jessen, Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Research and Partnerships lead, at (843) 953-6417.