Since May 2007 PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON, SC PERMIT NO. 137 POSTAL PATRON
Volume 22 • Issue 5
FREE
March 6, 2026
Photo courtesy of the Conservancy of the Sea Islands.
Photo by Pamela Cohen.
Photo by Paul Roberts.
Marsh Madness: A Month of Adventure in the Salt Marsh
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BY JENNIFER WILSON | For The Island Connection
long our South Carolina Sea Islands, water doesn’t just frame the land; it connects and defines it. As rivers make their final saunter to the ocean, they divide into winding creeks and spill into expansive tidal marshes, nourishing one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. The salt marsh is more than scenery. It is a living system shaped twice daily by the tides, where spartina grasses anchor shifting banks, oysters build reefs that soften wave energy and wading birds, fish, and crabs depend on its shelter. These marshes filter water, buffer storm surge and serve as nurseries for countless species that support both wildlife and coastal communities. This March, the Conservancy of the Sea Islands (formerly Kiawah Conservancy) is spotlighting this extraordinary habitat through Marsh Madness, a month-long celebration designed to deepen
understanding and appreciation of the ecosystem that shapes and sustains our Sea Islands. Through guided field experiences, creative workshops and expert-led programs, participants are invited to experience the marsh up close — from pluff mud flats and oyster reefs to the hidden creatures that thrive between the tides. Each program reveals how daily tidal cycles sculpt the coastline and how plants and wildlife adapt to constant ebb and flow. “Marsh Madness is about helping people slow down and truly see the marsh,” said Katie Jonjevic, educational outreach specialist for the Conservancy. “When you understand how the tides, grasses, oysters and wildlife all work together, you begin to appreciate just how essential this ecosystem is — not just for nature, but for our coastal communities.” Programs are designed for both lifelong natu-
ralists and those who are simply marsh-curious. The celebration continues online throughout the month with wildlife spotlights, native plant features, marsh facts and behind-the-scenes looks at local conservation work. The Conservancy of the Sea Islands invites you to step into the rhythm of this landscape. Go beyond admiring its beauty; become part of its story. Become part of its story. Join in caring for the land and water that sustain life here, and help ensure the magic of our Sea Islands endures. To learn more about programs and ways to get involved, visit conservancyoftheseaislands.org and follow @kiawahconservancy on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. Please note: Some opportunities may be full. New programs and volunteer events are added regularly at conservancyoftheseaislands.org/programsandactivities.