USC Upstate’s Watershed Ecology Center, founded by the late Dr. Jack Turner, seeks to promote scientific research on the watershed ecology of the region, community outreach, and educational programming for local schools. The Center reaches children in grades K-8 with hands-on standard based science education at no cost to the schools thanks to the generosity of donations from community organizations. With participation of 3,800 children in 2001, the Center now reaches over 25,000 each year for a current life-time contact total of over 250,000 children and their outreach continues to grow.
The Adopt-a-Steam (AAS) program trains and equips adults to monitor the water quality in a local stream. They also sponsor Rain-Barrel-Give-Away events to promote water conservation. The Center’s goal in all its activities is to promote water conservation and to increase awareness of the importance of water and water quality.
