Saving Seeds with Sea Grant

It was a brisk but successful day on the marsh this morning! Coastal Expeditions employees met with Sea Grant to participate in the fun, hands-on, Seeds to Shoreline program. 

If you have ever passed through or by our coastal marsh environment, you have interacted first-hand with the tall grass, Sporobolus alternifolius. This plant shines a vibrant green in the summer and warms the coastline with shades of orange and purple in the winter. This plant is so successful on the shoreline because it can grow in both fresh and salt water! 

This plant not only looks fabulous, but serves many important ecosystem services. For us, the grass works like a sponge to absorb water from tides and storms, protecting our houses inland.

The Seeds to Shoreline program works to restore our coastal environments by collecting Sporobolus seeds, growing them in controlled environments, and replanting them back into the marsh.

Today we started step one: seed collection, and we had a blast! Our CEXy seeds will now spend some time in the fridge as we head off to winter break, and they will come out of hibernation early next year. Could there be a better way to start off 2022?

Keep an eye out for our CEXy seed updates as we work our way through the Seeds to Shoreline program. If you are interested in participating or know a school group or community program that this would be a perfect fit for this activity, reach out to us or Elizabeth Bell at Sea Grant [elizabeth.bell@scseagrant.org]. 

Be wilder! Love your coastal environment.
-Sophie Kruetz, Coastal Expeditions Naturalist Guide

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@coastalexpeditions

St. Phillips Island & Beaufort Rentals

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Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant Rentals

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Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.

Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.

Outpost Location

Need A Guide?

If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.

Check out our Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant tours.

Rent a Kayak or Paddleboard Click to Book via Text