Fecal Matters: The Ins and Outs of Poop in Our Watershed
Poop is a fact of nature and it’s everywhere! But did you know that poop can enter our waterways and cause negative impacts to water quality? Come join us at the 2020 Waccamaw Conference to learn what all the stink is about!
Hosted by Winyah Rivers Alliance’s Waccamaw RIVERKEEPERⓇ, North Inlet- Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium, and Horry County Museum, the Waccamaw Conference is an annual educational conference for the public about the importance of our natural water resources and efforts to protect them. This year our theme is Fecal Matters: The Ins & Outs of Poop in Out Watershed. This free family friendly event will focus on the sources and impacts of poop in the greater Winyah Bay Watershed and what you can do to help. Topics include pet and wildlife waste, stormwater runoff, industrial farming operations, septic systems, impacts to water quality, and more.
The agenda features a keynote speaker, interactive educational exhibits, expert panel discussion, and student poster contest. Held at the Horry County Museum, the conference also presents an opportunity to explore the museum’s exhibits displaying the history of our watershed.
Join us for the “No. 2” Conference on the Grand Strand! You won’t want to miss it!
2020 Waccamaw Conference
Fecal Matters – The Ins and Outs of Poop in Our Watershed
Saturday, February 1, 12pm-4:30pm
Horry County Museum
Agenda
12:00 – 1:00pm: Soft Opening & Exhibitor Session
1:00 – 1:15pm: Official Welcome
1:15 – 2:00pm: Keynote Speaker Presentation
2:00 – 3:00pm: Exhibitor Session & Student Poster Contest
3:00 – 4:00pm: Panel Discussion
4:00 – 4:30pm: Awards & Closing
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Susan Libes of the Coastal Marine & Wetlands Studies Program at Coastal Carolina University will discuss ongoing research concerning fecal bacteria in our local waterways.
PANEL DISCUSSION
The Power of Poop: Getting to the Bottom of It
We will get to the bottom of the issue with our diverse panel of experts! Our panelists will answer your pressing questions about poop and how it impacts our waterways. Our experts include Chelsea Cogliano (Horry County Stormwater Management), Bryan Rabon (SC Department of Health and Environmental Control), Dr. Amy Scaroni (Clemson University), and Jefferson Currie (Winyah Rivers Alliance).
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITORS
Visit our exhibitors’ booths throughout the museum to learn even more about poop in our waterways. You can even vote on your favorite exhibitor booth! Visit with our amazing exhibitors including: American Rivers, Black River Outdoors, BioBlitz, Center for Oceans and Human Health and Climate Change Interactions (OHHC2I), Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium, Goose Masters, Horry County Stormwater Management, Huntington Beach State Park, North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Sierra Club Winyah Group, SouthWings, South Carolina Environmental Law Project, Sustain Coastal, Waccamaw Audubon Society, Waccamaw RIVERKEEPERⓇ, Waccamaw Volunteer Water Quality Monitors, and Coastal Carolina University’s Waccamaw Watershed Academy.
STUDENT POSTER CONTEST
Students (K – 12th grade and post-secondary) will participate in a poster contest that will showcase the work of individuals or groups within the categories of science and art. Posters will be displayed during the conference. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the poster presenters and ask questions. Awards will be given for the best posters in each age group. Want to enter your poster? You have until January 15th! Email Lisa Swanger to learn how to enter your poster!
ADDITIONAL PARKING
While the museum has a small shared parking lot with the library, St. Paul’s Anglican Church has graciously agreed to let us use their parking lot for overflow parking. The church is located at 710 Main Street in Conway, just across the street from the museum.