We caught up with one of our all time favorite conservation warriors!

HP: Why do you choose to support Charleston Waterkeeper?

Mary Edna: In 2012 I began to get sick when I swam in James Island Creek, so I went to every group in town to see if they could help me figure out what was polluting the waterway. Charleston Waterkeeper was the only responsive reply to the dilemma! Now they use my dock to monitor the bacteria causing the demise of our creek. It is a long arduous battle involving local authorities and DHEC in the cleanup of this favorite recreational activity. Only twice this year was it safe to jump in the brackish flow and explore my swimmable neighborhood. Aquatic exercise is a delight and dolphins have muscled by more than once. You can hear the shrimp clicking and witness birds above. Canoeing has allowed me to explore further reaches of one of the dirtiest creeks in South Carolina. Charleston Waterkeeper is leading the way to clean it up for future generations to enjoy.