Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2021

31 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.VOICEofMPpodcast.com $245,000 needed for the project. Crab Bank’s revitalization begins in Fall 2021, and completion is expected by the 2022 nesting season. When finished, it will restore approximately 28 acres of prime nesting habitat above the high tide line for coastal birds. “The Crab Bank restoration effort is a perfect example of what agencies, nonprofits, businesses, local leaders, students and citizens can accomplish for conservation when they work together,” remarked CCL Executive Director Laura Cantral. While this specific endeavor will save Crab Bank, the CBCP’s creation means that this collaboration was about something bigger, noted both Crolley and Riggin. The CBCP is an interest-bearing trust developed to fund coastal bird conservation in perpetuity. “Crab Bank is not the only time we will do this,” Crolley said. “[The CBCP] may be the most important conservation work that we do in our lifetimes.” Part of the NFWF grant is also allowing Coastal Expeditions to offer guided Crab Bank boat charters and kayak tours to provide educational outreach on the seabird rookery at no cost to participants. Crolley said providing these trips addresses the issue of how to keep the community involved in the process. Coastal Expeditions, which is based in environmental education, takes out school and conservation groups as well as the public. For Crolley, this partnership afforded the opportunity to help spearhead the preservation of a place of profound personal significance to him. “I have an intimate relationship with Crab Bank,” he said. “It’s part of my life’s work. Being able to do something about it was very important to me.” Additional Sources: Save Crab Bank, SC Ports Authority and the SC Picture Project. Photo by Christy Hand . Aerial photo of Crab Bank and its seabird nesting areas captured in 2011. around town THE ONLY SLEEPER SOFA YOU CAN SLEEP ON