Mar

Local Students Restore Wetlands and Oyster Beds

Eco Challenge is a national competition sponsored by Lexus to students nationwide create and implement an environmental service project in their community. Our very own Hanahan Middle School Eco Challenge Team was one of the two middle schools that won in the southern region for Challenge 2. The Hanahan team earned this accolade for their “Hanahan Blackout” energy conservation initiative in which the school and community participated in a 1 hour lights-out. With a proclamation from the Mayor of Hanahan from 12-1PM on January 8th, the entire school and participating homes and businesses turned off all the lights, remarkably reducing their energy consumption.

As they prepare to enter the final challenge against winning schools across the country, they thought long and hard about how they wanted to use their “Captain Planet” like powers. Well, Hanahan Middle, we approve! The Eco Challenge Team lead by 7th Grade Science teacher, Alexandra Davis, will focus on wetland restoration and oysters. The students will be working with DNR to monitor local oyster beds and preparing signs to post at local marinas alerting boats of the issues affecting our local beds. They even thought up that snazzy slogan, “Reduce your Wake for the Oysters Sake!” Charleston Waterkeeper will be supporting this team every step of the way, it is always great to see young Waterkeepers in action!!! Keep it up guys!

To view and download a brochure the team made for this project, click here.