Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2021

108 www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com | www. ReadMPM. com | www. I LoveMountPl easant . com managed fund that can receive donations, draw interest and help finance critical projects to safeguard coastal birds. It was formed because SCDNR needed a mechanism to accept Crab Bank’s monetary contributions, but it will fund future coastal bird conservation endeavors as well. The NFWF grant was intended to cover Crab Bank’s rebuild costs, but Norfolk’s accepted construction bid required a considerably lower than expected $132,000 local match, noted Schillerstrom. Those leftover $568,000 in funds are being reallocated to SCDNR, which owns and manages Crab Bank and is primarily responsible for its stewardship. But they will have assistance, working with conservation partners such as Audubon SC. Sanders called it “one of the most exciting things in her career” to witness the partnerships that Crab Bank created, relationships that will result in “more eyes on the colony and more people invested in protecting our birds.” Once restoration is finished, SCDNR will use remaining grant funds to conduct biological monitoring — counting bird nests through aerial photography to avoid disturbing the breeding colonies — and physical monitoring, such as evaluating changes in size to Crab Bank. Additional monitoring will assess economic factors such as quantifying recreational value and wave and storm mitigation value. A grant fund portion will continue covering complimentary guided trips to Crab Bank provided through Coastal Expeditions, which increase community awareness of the sanctuary’s significance. Additionally, the grant is paying for a videographer to document the project. Schillerstrom expressed hope that Crab Bank’s collaborative partnership approach will serve as a conservation model to replicate throughout the state. “It’s great to see it finally coming to fruition,” he said. feature Photo by Tanya Dales Design & Photography. Photo by Christy Hand courtesy of SCDNR. Photo by Tanya Dales Design & Photography. ® 843.270.2586 holly@ @charlestonluxurygroup OVER $60 MILLION IN SALES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS! Holly was extremely creative and worked tirelessly to help us secure our dream home in this market while working with extremely low inventory East Cooper Top Producer 2008-2021• Realtor Of Distinction 2008-2021 OVER 15 YEARS AS A TOP PRODUCING REALTOR IN OUR LOCAL MARKET