Carolina bays have long captured the human imagination. From asteroids to whale wallows to melting glaciers, origin stories of these unique elliptical depressions found throughout the Atlantic Coastal Plain continue to provide intrigue.
Magazine
Coastal Heritage – Writing Toward Place: Inspiration From The World Around Us
South Carolina’s Nikky Finney writes toward place—incorporating environment, Black history, generational histories, social justice, and culture into her work.
Coastal Heritage – The Way Water Behaves: Rain Gardens and Native Plants
Curbing flooding, encouraging native species, and reducing stormwater runoff through native-plant landscaping and the understanding of how water moves. By mimicking local ecosystems, green spaces attract native wildlife while also mitigating flood risks.
Coastal Heritage – Early Europeans in America: Hurricanes Steer the Course of History
Since Europeans began settling North America, hurricanes have altered the course of history. Hurricanes helped determine which nations would settle the Atlantic coast and where they would build the first colonial outposts. From the Chesapeake Bay to the Carolinas to Florida, the dreams of explorers and colonialists were often capsized by giant storms, which created long-lasting impacts on our heritage.
Coastal Heritage – Pfiesteria Hysteria: Just When You Thought It Was Safe
Over the past two decades, scientists have discovered dozens of new species of nuisance algae that raise havoc around the world, killing huge numbers of fish and causing human illnesses. The most famous new species is Pfiesteria piscicida, found in estuaries from Delaware to Florida. Although Pfiesteria is often described as a bizarre, freakish phenomenon, it is just one small part of an international problem.
Coastal Heritage – You Are Here: New Horizons for Geography
In recent years, researchers have described the importance of geography in our daily lives. Where we live, geographers say, profoundly affects how we live. Now a growing number of government planners are using new geographic tools to manage development, conserve natural resources, and protect lives and property during hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Coastal Heritage – Nature’s Lessons: A Closer Look
A growing number of schoolchildren are learning important lessons about complex controversies such as global warming and acid rain, educators say, and the real problem is that children are being used as pawns in political conflicts.
Coastal Heritage – Storm Front
Government programs have helped reduce the public’s vulnerability to hurricanes. Now citizens must take steps to protect themselves before giant storms strike.
Coastal Heritage – Riches to Ruin: Pharaohs of the New World
Reigning over the Lowcountry for almost two centuries, rice planters created the South Carolina coast’s distinctive culture and its most enduring conflicts.
Coastal Heritage – Reviving Eden
Ecological restoration reflects the American spirit—our constant utopian desire to rehabilitate the world. Are ecological restorers bringing back long-lost landscapes—or creating an artificial, costly “nature”?