Since May 2005 PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON, SC PERMIT NO. 137 POSTAL PATRON
Volume 21 • Issue 2
FREE
June 27, 2025
Turtle Population Threatened By Erosion, Litter And Boaters By Mary Pringle Project Leader, Island Turtle Team Sea turtles face numerous threats to their survival and nesting. The recent increase in their population along the South Carolina Lowcountry coast is causing traffic concerns and posing multiple dangers to our state reptile, the loggerhead sea turtle. Here are a few examples: Decreased nesting habitat - In areas such as Wild Dunes and south of the fishing pier on the Isle of Palms, as well as many dunes on Sullivan’s Island, extreme erosion and sharp drop-offs have made it difficult for nesting females to access dry areas above the high-tide line. Dune restoration projects – using pumped, trucked and scraped sand – have helped some locations, but many remain damaged. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a new dune from 2nd Avenue to 10th Avenue and will continue pumping sand and mud below the high-tide line with heavy equipment on the beach until around October. These activities could prevent hatchlings from reaching the ocean if nests are laid nearby. Deep holes dug on the beach - Despite signs urging visitors not to dig,
Photo provided by the Island Turtle Team.
many people – especially over holidays such as Memorial Day weekend – bring large shovels and dig deep holes. Though (Continued on page 3)
Fort Moultrie Set To Host Carolina Day Celebration
By Joshua Uys At the recent Sullivan’s Island Town Council meeting, the Council officially designated June 28 as Carolina Day on the island. The meeting featured remarks from National Park Service representatives Christopher Reid and Brett Spaulding, chief of interpretation at Fort Moultrie, who outlined the commemorative events planned for the day. Carolina Day honors the 1776 Battle of Sullivan’s Island, one of the first major Patriot victories in the American Revolutionary War. This year, the National Park Service will host an all-day event on June 28 at Fort Moultrie. Admission is free for the entire day, with standard Fort Moultrie fees resuming the following day. Programming will begin at 10 a.m. and continue through the evening, with activities scheduled every half hour. Highlights include Patriot and British navy and army re-nactments, musket and artillery firing demonstrations, historical talks and archaeology experiences, colonial-era games such as cricket and a presentation by representatives of the Catawba Nation, a Native American tribe that was allied with South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. Visitors can also enjoy food trucks, educational booths from national park sites across the Carolinas and a booth from the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center. Local author Norm Rickeman will be in attendance to discuss his book on Col. William Moultrie and the historic Battle of
Carolyn Murray Is Next Up For The LENS Foundation Speaker Series
Photo by Rob Byko.
Sullivan’s Island. “We hope to have a lot of people come out, support local businesses, spend some time with us and then migrate over and support the fish fry,” Reid said. This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, formed in 1775. The regiment played a pivotal role in defending Fort Sullivan, later renamed Fort Moultrie, during the battle. Its legacy will be honored throughout the day. In addition to celebrating this milestone, the event will serve as a dress rehearsal for next year’s major commemoration, a two-day celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. Organizers are currently coordinating with CARTA and Sullivan’s Island officials to facilitate transportation to the island for the anticipated crowds.
By Christian Senger The Isle of Palms Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support Foundation will host the next edition of its Leadership Speaker Series at 6 p.m. July 8, at the IOP Exchange Murray Club. The featured speaker will be Carolyn Murray of WCBD News 2. The Emmy Award-winning journalist will discuss her decades-long career, which has included interviews with President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and Coretta Scott King. Following her presentation, she will answer questions from the audience. To register for the event, visit lensiop.org.