Even as they glisten, it's hard to know what lurks within Charleston waters unless we take a closer look. Local scientists have been exploring Charleston’s waterways for decades. Our community is also invested in these questions, but how much crosstalk occurs? Jesseca Kusher, a Master’s Candidate in the College of Charleston Marine Biology Graduate Program, is focused on identifying the overlaps and gaps between scientific investigations and stakeholders’ interests. Kusher has been part of the DiTullio lab’s efforts to better understand changes in local algal communities, nutrients and environmental factors impacting health and ecosystem function. Could nutrient runoff and algal blooms be feeding high bacterial counts and low oxygen for fish and other critters? Through a partnership with Charleston Waterkeeper the DiTullio lab began monitoring these important variables in weekly sampling of 20 sites, adding an important layer to the bacterial measurements Waterkeeper uses to notify the public. Kusher will share how she is also using local water samples to ground truth satellite measurements of algae and carbon compounds. These are just some of the many measurements scientists investigate using public funds with the goal of informed stakeholders.

We invite you – the community stakeholders – to be part of the discussion on the intersections of science, public use and policy-making with respect to our waterways. To assist in this community-centric focus, teaching artist Marielena Martinez, will give us an overview of street art’s history bringing community voices into the public’s eye. Martinez will guide participants in repurposing maps to add gradients of color representing information and overlay with graphics and words to convey messages.

We are excited to have Charleston Waterkeeper joining us to share information on their efforts to protect our waterways.  

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NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!  $15 in-person general admission, $10 for educators, FREE for students. Bohemian Bull will be donating 10% of the evening’s sales to support more  Cultivate Community Science + Art.