South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Society

06/24/2026

Many places in South Carolina are experiencing severe (or worse), impacting and vegetation statewide.

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?SC

06/23/2026

On , we recognize the public servants who work tirelessly to protect South Carolina's aquatic resources. From & habitat restoration, to protection & public utilities, your efforts make a lasting difference for our state's waterways & our communities.

Thank you!

06/23/2026

Planning a day at the lake or river? Make water safety part of your summer routine.

✔️ Avoid swimming with open cuts or wounds.
✔️ Keep water out of your nose when jumping or diving into freshwater.
✔️ Stay out of water that appears discolored, has a foul odor or contains visible algal mats or foam.
✔️ Keep pets away from areas where harmful algal blooms may be present.
✔️ Always supervise children and wear life jackets when appropriate.

A few simple precautions can help keep your summer fun and safe.
Learn more at des.sc.gov/safeswimming.

06/22/2026

The NC is a fantastic outdoor education program that challenges middle and high school students in Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, Soils & Land Use, and Current Environmental Issues. If you work with this age group, their study resources are well worth bookmarking!

https://sites.google.com/site/envirothonnc/study-resources/high-school/aquatic-ecology/standard-nc-aquatic-species

Standard Aquatic Species, Profile Set & Aquatic Plants for High School Envirothon Teams Common names will be used for the North Carolina Envirothon competition. Standard Aquatic Species The following Aquatic Species profiles are to be studied by students every year. Students must know: ID

06/20/2026

If you're out & about in nature this weekend, bookmark this link from NCSU & take it with you - it's their field guide to common wetland plants! A great resource for in-service staff training, too!

https://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/plantguidedb/

NC Division of Water Resources. 2018-2024. North Carolina Wetlands Information. https://www.ncwetlands.org. Published by the North Carolina Division of Water Resources, Water Sciences Section.

06/15/2026

🥵Extreme heat kills more people in the USA than any other weather anomaly. And as proceeds, the danger grows. Know what to do to keep yourself & your crew safe!

https://yaleclimateconnections.org/heat-guide/

These resources can help you plan how to protect yourself, your family, and your home during a heat wave.

06/02/2026

Giant salvinia is an invasive that poses a threat to much of the USA. USDA scientists are testing a naturally-occurring fungus as a method of to stop its growth & spread.

https://scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/tellus/stories/articles/fungus-fights-oxygen-sucking-water-weed

Giant salivnia damages aquatic ecosystems by outgrowing and replacing native plants.

05/28/2026

📣 NC Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking volunteers to restore native in reservoirs across the Piedmont.

https://www.wnct.com/news/nc-wildlife-commission-seeks-volunteers/

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The NC Wildlife Resources Commission will be planting native aquatic vegetation in reservoirs across the Piedmont and needs volunteers. The goal of the project is to…

05/26/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of one of our past leaders and honorary members. Mr. Eric Barkemeyer passed away on May 20, 2026 at the age of 75 after a long, hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s disease. Eric was involved in the aquatic industry from 1979 – 2019.

Through this career, he dedicated hours of commitment and provided significant contributions to the Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS) and its regional chapters. Eric joined Pennwalt Corporation as a Product Manager in 1979. He became the Southern Region Manager for the AgChem Division, assuming responsibility for the aquatic herbicide product line in the Southern United States in 1984. In 1999, he joined Cygnet Enterprises as a Regional Manager. Eric became Aquatic Market Manager for Alligare in 2011, a job he held until his retirement on January 31,2019.

Eric served on the board of the South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Society in 1995. In 1998, he was elected to the board of APMS. He was elected as president of Mid-South APMS in 2003. and as President of APMS in 2004.

During his service as Aquatic Market Manager for Alligare, Eric served as the Alligare representative to the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation (AERF) when they joined as a gold member. Throughout his professional career, Eric was a consistent supporter and participant of APMS and its regional chapters. For that, we are grateful. Please keep the family and friends of Eric in your thoughts and prayers.

05/26/2026

Hanging out in a young tupelo swamp featuring swamp tupelo (Nyssa biflora). This species is native to southeastern North America and enjoys getting its feet wet 🌳🌳🌳