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The Port Royal Sound is a rare and unique estuary in the Lowcountry that saturates over 50% of Beaufort County. The watershed is 1,500 square miles, extending 70 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, and encompassing more than 100,000 acres of salt marsh - almost a third of all salt marsh in South Carolina. Its extraordinary natural beauty, rich culture and history, and recreational allure is unparalleled. It drives the health of our community and economy.

The Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF) is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Beaufort County, SC, formed in 2011 with the mission “to conserve the Port Royal Sound for the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of our area”. We pursue our mission through three interdependent strategies - Education, Research, and Conservation – to help safeguard the health of our watershed.

Our Education Programs make an extraordinary impact by engaging residents, visitors, and new generations as caretakers of the Sound. Our Maritime Center is a free museum with aquariums, Lowcountry animals, and exhibits focused on ecology, art, recreation, culture, and history. Each year, thousands of students enjoy our interactive, curriculum-based field trips and summer camp. Programs like our lecture series, watershed walks, and kayak tours provide opportunities for adult residents and visitors to learn more and engage with their unique ecosystem.

Our Research Program supports and facilitates science-based inquiry, monitoring, and advocacy to ensure the Sound remains healthy. PRSF has a leading Citizen Science Program in SC, and we work with partners to advance the collection and sharing of scientific data to develop a comprehensive understanding of the health of the Sound.

Conservation of the Port Royal Sound is at the core of our mission and all we do. PRSF is a trusted resource that provides leaders and residents with vital information on issues related to watershed health, and encouraging environmentally-sound decisions as our community grows.

Advancing our mission to conserve the Port Royal Sound impacts the health of our environment, our community, and our economy. This important work is made possible through the support of individuals, foundations, businesses, partnerships, and grants that understand the value of a vibrant Port Royal Sound.

To learn more about PRSF, visit our website at: www.PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org. We also invite you to enjoy a series of short videos we have entitled “The Sound Effect”, which highlight the treasure that is the Port Royal Sound: https://portroyalsoundfoundation.org/the-sound-effect/.

Photographic Art Piece by Jackie Schletter - Calla Coastal Images