Okatie, SC – Environmental author Charles Seabrook says the efforts of the Callawassie Island Ecology Committee could serve as a model for other Lowcountry communities in preserving the region’s natural beauty and healthy ecosystems.

Following an afternoon tour of Callawassie Island’s backyard habitat program and a discussion of the committee’s outreach efforts to area schools and neighboring communities on Thursday, July 23, Seabrook praised the obvious outcome of Callawassie’s ongoing programs to preserve its natural flora and fauna.

“Can I suggest anything you could do to become more eco-friendly? I think you’re writing the book on that. If people ask me what can we do to improve our neighborhood, I say, ‘Go to Callawassie Island,’” Seabrook said during his afternoon presentation in the Callawassie Island clubhouse. “My definition of sustainable growth is growth that doesn’t overwhelm the natural systems. When you have wood storks congregating on the golf course, I think you’re doing something right.”

South Carolina native Seabrook, author of two books and the Wild Georgia nature column in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, has returned to his native state to research his third book, which will focus on coastal ecosystems and the role of salt marshes in the Lowcountry environment.

Sweeping his hand toward the view of the salt marsh just beyond the Callawassie Island clubhouse windows, Seabrook likened the interdependent ecosystems of the Lowcountry to a living creature.

“I look at all this, the barrier islands, the estuary, the salt marsh, the hammocks, the little tidal creeks, as one benevolent being,” Seabrook said. “I look at all this as one pulsating organism. The tides are the heart. If you look up there, the tidal creeks are like our arteries that bring in the water. The tide comes in bringing oxygen and nutrients. It comes in and brings in all this stuff. Then, the tide goes out and carries out all this waste and this other stuff. All of these things are tied together.”

Seabrook stressed the importance of the protections salt marshes offer both developing sea creatures and coastal communities.

“One of the great values of the marsh is that it’s a great hiding place for young animals to escape predators,” he said. “People once wrote this off as a wasteland. Well, we know it’s not a wasteland. The marshes protect us from storms.”

Through the efforts of Callawassie’s dedicated Ecology Committee, the island was the first area in South Carolina – and one of only 15 nationwide – to achieve the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat certification. Ongoing conservation efforts and programs guided by the Ecology Committee will help protect Callawassie’s natural beauty for future generations while enhancing residents’ knowledge and appreciation of its Lowcountry habitat. The Wildlife Federation was so impressed with Callawassie Island’s environmental program, it featured Callawassie among nine communities nationwide in its annual report for 2008.

Callawassie Island’s 880-acre development contains almost 500 homes. Its recreational amenities complement the extraordinary natural surroundings, which include 11 miles of coastline, ancient live oaks, fertile salt marshes and an abundant population of Lowcountry wildlife. The 18,000-square-foot clubhouse couples panoramic salt marsh views with dining, meeting and mingling space. Nearby, the River Club offers additional meeting and mingling options including its graceful dock extending into the Colleton River.

For more information, visit http://www.callawassieisland.org/.