Ecological Corridor
To join Charleston’s ecological corridor, please fill out the following:
With the support of Mayor Cogswell, Charleston city officials and you!, we are designing our ecological corridor across the peninsula—from Gadsden Creek to Halsey Creek allllll the way to Newmarket Creek. This grassroots effort aims to unite neighborhoods and fragmented habitats with vibrant native plantings, more tree canopy, and restored tidal creeks. We’re hoping to create spaces where our community and wildlife can thrive together, setting a model for urban landscapes across the country.
By joining you are helping us visualize our ecological corridor. This data helps us understand the network of contributors, track progress, and ensure inclusive community involvement in creating a sustainable and interconnected ecosystem.
Ten little asks.
1. Love your Local Nature
Whether in your yard or around your neighborhood—think of this as your “Homegrown National Park,” à la Prof. Doug Tallamy. Nature is everywhere and we are nature, let’s act accordingly.
2. Plant native species—trees, shrubs, grasses, & flowers—in your yard
Native plants provide valuable habitat to support our pollinators and birds, particularly the native-plant- eating caterpillars that songbirds depend on to feed their chicks. The goal is to transform 70ish% of our yards to native plants!
3. Replace Non–Native Plant Species
— especially ecologically invasive plants — in your yard with native plants.
4. Reduce or Eliminate the Use of Harmful Chemicals
— especially pesticides and herbicides — in your beautiful yard. These run directly into the marsh during a big rain event!
Instead leave your leaves where they fall or use compost and organic slow-release fertilizer (such as Espoma) instead of soluble fertilizers. This action protects water quality and increases soil health!
5. Slow Rainwater that Falls on Your Property & Help it Sink Into the Soil
by adding rain gardens, aerating the soil, mulching under trees and shrubs, and replacing your paved areas with gravel. The goal is to keep the water that falls on your property on your property. This helps reduce flooding and protects water quality for shorebirds, fishies, and other marine life.
6. Keep your Property Free of Trash & Debris & Help Sweep the Neighborhood
If we keep our neighborhoods trash-free, people are less likely to litter! A productive cycle of positive reinforcement.
7. Compost Your Food Scraps & Use Them to Enrich Your Soil
Build a backyard composter or drop-off at a FREE City of Charleston site near you. Composting is Mama Earth’s way of recycling. With minimal effort, you can reduce your household waste by 25%, protect the climate, and conserve water.
8. Support Community & City Efforts to Create More Access to Nature
We are surrounded by salt marsh and water, but access to our creeks and rivers is limited. We need more pocket parks and greenspaces to connect our community to our waterways!
9. Turn Off your Outdoor Lights
Turn off lights at night, or use motion sensors or yellow bulbs, which are less likely to attract nocturnal insects and distract nocturnal/migrating birds.
10. Share with Friends & Neighbors
Share what you learn and encourage them to become Eco-Corridor Members, too! Corridors are all about connectivity, so let's spread the love.