MISSION
The Lowcountry Estuarium promotes conservation and preservation of the Lowcountry's marshes, creeks, rivers, and sounds by providing educational and recreational experiences to residents and visitors.
VISION
The Lowcountry Estuarium will be a respected and viable community educational resource and environmental advocate. We will create an open, embracing learning atmosphere, celebrating our coastal biological heritage by partnership and cooperation with other groups.
HISTORY
The Lowcountry Estuarium Board formed in the summer of 2000. A few Beaufortonians met and shared their common interest of having an Aquarium in Beaufort that was large enough to accommodate multiple groups of school children and visitors to the Lowcountry, at one time. Beaufort had a small Aquarium for many years, called the North Street Aquarium. Bob Bender ran the aquarium and showed school children and visitors to Beaufort many of the animals found in our local estuaries. The Lowcountry Estuarium grew from the efforts of the Board and Bob into its current facility which opened its doors to the public on October 5, 2002. The Lowcountry Estuarium is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
What’s an estuarium?
An estuarium is similar to an aquarium. Aquariums usually have live specimens and exhibits that showcase freshwater or marine species. An estuarium exhibits terrestrial and aquatic specimens that live in brackish water and saltwater environments.
What are estuaries?
Estuaries are areas where fresh water from the land and salt water from the ocean meet and mix, such as in our coastal rivers. An estuary can be as small as a tidal creek or as large as a bay. Port Royal Sound and St. Helena Sound are estuaries located in Beaufort County, South Carolina.
For more information about estuaries, please visit www.urbanestuary.org
