HGTC and SCDNR launch coastal restoration partnership with community oyster roast

Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) officially launched a new environmental partnership between its Wildlife Society Chapter and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) on Friday, Feb. 20. The collaboration, facilitated through the South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (S.C.O.R.E.) Program, was celebrated during a kickoff event at the Georgetown Campus.

The event featured a commemorative oyster roast, sponsored in part by SCDNR, which served as a hands-on networking opportunity for students, faculty, and local environmental professionals. Attendees gathered at the Building 100 patio to learn more about ongoing coastal restoration efforts specifically targeting Horry and Georgetown counties.

Pictured (L-R) Dr. Lori Heafner, HGTC Vice President for Academic Affairs; Shannon Detzler, HGTC Foundation President & CEO; Charles Granger, HGTC Department Chair, Forestry; Al Mosely, HGTC Forestry Professor; Kevin Swain, SCDNR Biologist; Holly Sommers, SCDNR Shell Recycling Coordinator; and Mac Altman, HGTC Assistant Chair & Forestry Professor.

Under this new partnership, the HGTC Wildlife Society Chapter will work directly with the S.C.O.R.E. Program to strengthen oyster reef restoration initiatives within the region’s brackish and saline ecosystems.

“This partnership represents the kind of experiential learning that defines HGTC,” said Al Mosley, professor of forestry at HGTC. “Our students will not only gain valuable field experience but will also directly contribute to improving water quality, reducing shoreline erosion, and strengthening marine habitats in our own backyard.”

The collaboration grew from years of volunteer work with SCDNR’s S.C.O.R.E. Program, particularly in the Charleston Harbor area, and a shared recognition that expanded oyster recycling and reef restoration efforts were needed along the Grand Strand and Georgetown coastlines.

As part of the initiative, the HGTC Wildlife Society Chapter will:

• “Adopt” local restaurants in Horry and Georgetown counties that generate recyclable oyster shells.
• Coordinate shell collection and transportation to designated S.C.O.R.E. drop-off locations.
• Construct Manufactured Wire Reefs (MWRs) to support shoreline stabilization and oyster habitat restoration.
• Assist in reef deployment in areas impacted by erosion and water quality challenges.

The program aligns with SCDNR’s growing efforts to increase volunteer engagement and expand oyster recycling in coastal communities.

Beyond environmental impact, the partnership is expected to create additional internship and professional networking opportunities for HGTC students pursuing careers in forestry, wildlife management, marine sciences, and environmental conservation. By joining forces with SCDNR, HGTC students are now positioned to take an active role in preserving South Carolina’s vital coastal resources while gaining essential professional skills in the field of wildlife and forestry management.

For more information about the HGTC Wildlife Society Chapter partnership with SCDNR, please contact Al Mosley, professor of forestry at HGTC, at [email protected].