RCE Georgetown
Overview
Georgetown County, South Carolina, is located along the Grand Strand area of the Atlantic Coastline of the United States and is part of the IntraCoastal Waterway. It houses part of the UN Man and Biosphere Reserve along the Atlantic Coast and has some of the most pristine waters along it. The population of the County increased 20.5% between 1990 and 2000 to 60,158. It is predicted to increase by 25% by 2025. The county has a rich history and culture of Gullah Geechee ancestors who were slaves from West Africa. It is now part of a National Heritage Corridor for this unique and diverse population. Compared to all but one of the neighbouring counties, Georgetown has lower average income and higher poverty rates that disproportionately affect the African-American residents in the county. The UN RCE Georgetown is a joint effort among public and private stakeholders to collectively impact change in the county through the utilization of the UN SDGs as a framework toward comprehensive planning and strategic planning for the future.
We are located along the coast in Georgetown, SC where 5 rivers flow into the third largest water basin on the East Coast to the Atlantic Ocean. We are also located within the National Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor.
Photo credit: Pamela Martin
Vision:
The vision of RCE Georgetown is to use an evidence-based approach to develop Georgetown County by protecting its vast natural resources, unique heritage, and rich cultural diversity into an equitable and healthy community with a thriving economy for today and future generations.
Goals and objectives:
- Goal 1: Economy
- Goal 2: Natural Resources, Climate Change, and the Environment
- Goal 3: Sustainable Community with High Quality of Life
- Goal 4: Community Partnerships and Collaboration
Photo credit: Pamela Martin
Coastal Carolina University
Name of organisation: National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Role: Collaborating Secondary Host
Contact name: Maeve Snyder
Contact email: msnyder@belle.baruch.sc.edu
Activities
- Youth Corps
- Climate Adaptation
- Curriculum Building for the SDGs
- Clean and Affordable Energy
Mayor Brandon Barber speaking with UN RCE Georgetown Youth Corps students (Photo credit: RCE Georgetown)
- Spring and Summer 2021 Youth Corps Paid Internships (35 in total)
- Georgetown County Resilience Task force
- Building a Dashboard for the County that aligns with the UN SDGs and measures them yearly
- New Sustainability and Coastal Resilience Major that embeds the RCE in its activities and UN SDGs on campus and community in active/experiential learning
- Solar Ambassador Program – installing solar panels on nonprofits and training new energy leaders
Town Administrator Sel Hemingway with UN RCE Georgetown Youth Corps students on a bus tour of sustainable development and Georgetown (Photo credit: RCE Georgetown)
- Outstanding Flagship Program for Coastal Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
- Outstanding Flagship Program for Youth Corps Program
- CCU Solar Ambassador Program – installed solar panels on 2 community nonprofits and won 4 grants to train students on energy certification; travel to Kauai, Hawaii to research battery storage; travel to Denver, CO to install solar panels on low income homes
- $400,000 grant for Youth Corps paid internships
- $100,000 NOAA Climate Adaptation Grant
- Established new Sustainability and Coastal Resilience Major in collaboration with RCE
Photo credit: Pamela Martin
Projects
Communication Channels
Contact Details
plmartin@coastal.edu
msnyder@belle.baruch.sc.edu
Pamela Martin
Coastal Carolina University
125 Chanticleer Dr.
Conway, SC 29528
Office Brtittain Hall 350
