The Sustainability Institute

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The Sustainability Institute

Advancing Sustainable & Resilient Communities Across South Carolina Our goal is to create the next generation of conservation leaders.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sustainabilityinstitutesc

Mission: Advancing sustainable and resilient communities while building the next generation of conservation leaders. Programs and Services:

Environmental Conservation Corps ("ECC") -
The ECC is an innovative and award-winning program affiliated with AmeriCorps (The Corps Network) that provides individuals the opportunity to serve their com

munities while learning new skills and gaining new experience in the field of environmental conservation. The ECC provides workforce training and conservation service experience for young adults (ages 17-24), including those experiencing barriers, such as poverty and past court involvement. Members will restore wildlife habitat and ecosystems, construct rain gardens, build urban gardens to increase food access, plant native species plants, perform erosion control and water quality monitoring, construct and repair trails, bridges, and boardwalks, and retrofit houses with energy and water conservation measures. The Program also provides “soft-skills” training, teaching participants new skills while honing existing skill sets to enable them to thrive both personally and professionally following their service experience. Weatherization and Critical Home Repair -
Our Weatherization and Critical Home Repair Department provides no-cost services to homes that meet HUD’s FY 2024 income limits. We focus on providing sustainable, lasting upgrades through two initiatives:

1. The Sustainability Institute’s Energy Assistance Program, which is offered to Santee Cooper customers located in Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry Counties (see below for more information and to apply); and

2. Charleston County Critical Home Repair Program, which delivers services to eligible households in Charleston County. At the Sustainability Institute, our weatherization services adhere to industry-leading standards to support homeowners in improving energy efficiency, lowering utility costs, and enhancing home comfort and safety. Our holistic approach to weatherization is designed to save homeowners anywhere from 10% to over 30% on their energy bills, often translating into hundreds of dollars in savings annually. Charleston RISES - RISES certification promotes new construction projects that are at least 30% more energy and water efficient than projects that are simply code compliant, and projects that are constructed using materials and products that do not adversely affect the health and well-being of building occupants. The RISES tag is an acronym for the building ingredients that industry-leading and responsible projects focus on and adhere to: Resilient; Innovative; Sustainable; Efficient; and Safe. Charleston RISES is the regionally appropriate certification choice, designed to address the specific green building needs, priorities and strategies of the South Carolina region. Contact Us:
(843) 529-3421
[email protected]
http://sustainabilityinstitutesc.org/

05/22/2026

We collected 90 pounds of trash and 30 pounds of recycling by Noisette Creek in North Charleston in just a couple of hours! BIG BIG Thank you to for donating drink tickets to all who participated. Something cold is a perfect ending to this hot day!

See you all at the next one on June 26th.
Registration in the link in our bio!

05/08/2026

Who says you can't be on your phone and enjoy nature at the same time?

Our 22 volunteer participants proved that "screen time" can be "science time." We logged a massive 464 observations on iNaturalist, documenting 170 different species (in only two hours) right in our backyard in -Charleston, SC part of the LowCountry Alliance for Model Communities, the vibrant community in Charleston's ‘Neck’ that is at the center of an integral resilience and restoration plan.

Whether it was a blurry photo of a beetle or a perfect shot of a native wildflower, every upload helps us understand and appreciate each of our communities even more! Thank you to Nolan Schillerstrom - Biohabitats, who worked hand in hand with us to plan this awesome experience, and to all of our Experts who made the morning such a great success! Kristina Wheeler- Charleston County Parks, Sharleen Johnson - Native Plants to the People, LLC and many others who lent a hand, some eyes, ears, and immense knowledge. Biodiversity is a critical part of resilience!

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌍✨

There’s something special about the Lowcountry, and it’s up to us to keep it that way.

Today, we’re looking back at how far we’ve come and looking forward to the future we’re building together. By advancing sustainable and resilient communities and lifting up the next generation of conservation leaders, we’re ensuring a secure, vibrant future for our environment.

The Lowcountry needs us this week. Let’s show up for the home we love. Check the schedule below and sign up.

🌍 Earth Week Lineup:

April 23 | Rosemont Bioblitz
North Charleston (9:00 AM)

April 23 | Marsh Cleanup
Charleston (5:00 PM)
Join us, , and the at !

April 24 | Noisette Creek Cleanup
North Charleston (1:00 PM)
Help us cleanup, then join us for a post-cleanup hangout at !

April 25 | Oyster Reef Build
Beaufort (9:30 AM)
Get hands-on (and a little muddy) building oyster castle reefs with us and to fight erosion and create vital habitats.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to sign up!

04/09/2026

We’re hosting a DIY Energy Savings workshop to help you prep for the SC heat.

Here’s what you need to know:

Living in the Lowcountry means heavy humidity and high energy bills are right around the corner. Is your home actually ready for it?

Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, we’re showing you the DIY secrets to a more efficient, affordable, and comfortable home.

What’s in it for you?
We’re breaking down the "Building Science" of the South in plain English.

You’ll learn about:

Air Sealing & Insulation: Keep the cool air in and the humidity out.

Duct Leakage: Stop paying to cool your attic!

HVAC & Appliances: Hacks to make your systems run smarter, not harder.

Utility Bill Deep-Dive: Finally understand what those charges actually mean.

The Best Part? 🎁
Every participant has the chance to walk away with a FREE Energy Conservation Kit to start saving the moment you get home!

The Details:

📅 Date: Thursday, April 16

⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Location: Wando Mount Pleasant Library

🤝 Hosted by: Charleston County, The Sustainability Institute, & the Town of Mt. Pleasant.

🎟️ Cost: FREE

🔗 How to join: Click the Link in Bio to secure your spot.

03/26/2026

Spring into action! 🌸

Ready to make a real impact in the Lowcountry? Our upcoming volunteer calendar is live! Whether you want to get muddy building oyster reefs or help us keep our waterways clean, our Spring Volunteer series has a spot for you!

🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS:

🦪 Oyster Reef Builds
March 27 | 9 AM
March 28 | 10:30 AM
April 25 | 9:30 AM
May 12 | 9 AM
May 15 | 11 AM
May 26 | 9 AM

🛠️ MWR Fabrication
April 6 | 9:30 AM – 12 PM
April 21 | 9:30 AM – 12 PM

🗑️ Community Cleanup Events
April 23 | 5 PM – 6:30 PM
April 24 | 1 PM – 3 PM
May 22 | 1 PM – 3 PM
June 26 | 1 PM – 3 PM
July 17 | 1 PM – 3 PM

🔗 HOW TO SIGN UP:
Click the link in our bio to head to our volunteer page and grab your spot!

Let’s build a more resilient Lowcountry together. 🌎✨

03/13/2026

The future of conservation is here! This , we’re honoring the dedication of our Fall 2025-2026 Environmental Conservation Corps (ECC) graduates.

They came, they served, and they made a world of difference.

They’ve spent the last few months getting their hands dirty to protect the places we call home. From the Lowcountry’s salt marshes to our neighborhood schools, their hard work has left a lasting footprint on our community.

Just look at what they’ve accomplished:

🍎 1,320 produce boxes assembled for Headstart schools to keep our kids healthy.

🗑️ 2,085 pounds of trash prevented from entering our local waterways.

🌊 346 feet of living shoreline installed to protect our coasts from erosion.

🔨 1,100 manufactured wire reefs (MWRs) fabricated to help our local ecosystems thrive.

🦪 14 tons of oyster shells recycled from the restaurants we all love.

The best part? The work doesn't stop here. We’re so proud to share that three of these graduates are returning for our Spring 2026 Cohort to continue their service to our community.

To our graduates: thank you for your grit, your heart, and your service. You’re making the Lowcountry more resilient every single day.

03/03/2026

We’re officially recruiting for our Summer 2026 Restoration Crew!

The Environmental Conservation Corps (ECC) engages young people as AmeriCorps service members in a variety of nature-based restoration activities that advance coastal resilience and protect essential habitat throughout our Lowcountry region. Our goal is to create the next generation of conservation leaders.

If you’re a young adult looking to break into the conservation world, the ECC is your chance to make a real difference.

What a day on the job looks like:

🦪 Building oyster reefs and restoring salt marshes.

🌳 Planting native species and rain gardens.

🛠️ Constructing trails, bridges, and boardwalks.

💧 Water quality testing in our local waterways.

The Perks:
✅ Professional certifications (for free!)
✅ Bi-weekly living stipend + Segal Education Award.
✅ Networking with top gov & nonprofit pros.
✅ Real-world leadership experience.

🔗 Ready to join the crew? Head to the link in our bio or visit bit.ly/JoinSIECC to apply!

01/23/2026

1,300+ pounds lighter! 🗑️🌎

This Monday, we saw greatness in action. From youngest to oldest, our community showed up to serve the environment we all call home.

We spent two hours on Battery Island Drive and Folly Road turning a "day off" into a "day on," and the results speak for themselves.

Special thanks to our partners , and Together, we’re making Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community” a reality.

Swipe to see our team in action and the sheer amount of debris we kept out of our local waterways! 🌊✨

01/10/2026

Ready to kick off the new year with purpose?

Celebrate the spirit of unity and service this MLK Day! Join us and for our annual MLK Day of Service Litter Sweep.

This isn’t just about picking up litter; it’s about picking up our community! It’s a rewarding way to honor a legacy of service while protecting our local environment.

Supplies are provided, all ages are welcome, and the impact will be visible. Let’s show the Lowcountry some love!

🗓 When: Monday, January 19th, 1-3 PM
📍 Where: James Island / Battery Island (intersection of Battery Island Dr. and Folly Rd.)
👟 Wear: Closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty

🔗 Registration link in bio.

“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

12/16/2025

The Sustainability Institute is now recruiting for our SPRING 2026 RESTORATION CREW MEMBERS!

The Environmental Conservation Corps (ECC) is an AmeriCorps-accredited workforce development and service-learning program for young adults pursuing careers in conservation and environmental fields. Through this program, participants can expect to gain desirable field skills and training while addressing coastal resilience and habitat restoration needs in the Lowcountry region. Crew Members engage in habitat restoration activities in public parks, forests, and waterways, including, but not limited to, activities such as restoring salt marshes and building oyster reefs; constructing rain gardens; planting native plants and trees; performing water quality testing and monitoring; and constructing and repairing trails, bridges, and boardwalks. Crew members also play a critical role in leading SI-hosted community volunteer events and connecting local community members to meaningful, conservation service work in their own backyard.

Benefits include:
Trainings: Build knowledge and skills in a diversity of conservation and sustainability jobs

Certifications: Receive free professional certifications relevant to the field

Compensation: Earn a living stipend, paid bi-weekly, and a Segal Education Award upon successful completion of AmeriCorps term

Connections: Meet and work with a wide variety of governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations

Teamwork: Experience working in a team of peers and within a nonprofit organization

Leadership: Help lead critically important conservation projects to combat climate change

For more information on position descriptions or to apply, please visit our website (https://sustainabilityinstitutesc.org/ecc/join-americorps/) and/or the link in our bio!

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T & T Horticulture

Address

3973 Rivers Avenue, Suite 101
North Charleston, SC
29405

Telephone

+18435293421

Website

http://www.sustainabilityinstitutesc.org/, https://linktr.ee/sustainabilityinstitutesc

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