1. Habitat restoration & green infrastructure projects that advance coastal resilience

Where:
Public lands and waterways, including parks, greenways, forests, wildlife refuges and management areas, and wetlands and rivers across the SC Lowcountry

What:
We specifically focus on 5 conservation activities: (1) Salt marsh restoration, including cultivating and planting Spartina and restoring oyster reefs and constructing living shorelines; (2) Building rain gardens; (3) Water quality monitoring, testing and data collection (salt and fresh water); (4) Planting native trees and plants; (5) Constructing, maintaining and repairing trails, bridges and boardwalks.

2. Home weatherization and energy conservation workshops that promote energy & water savings

Where:
Low-wealth neighborhoods in the greater Charleston metro area, including Charleston, Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties.

What:
Home repairs and efficiency upgrades to help families significantly reduce energy use and utility bills, including air sealing the building envelope; installing insulation in attics and crawl spaces; installing smart thermostats; retrofitting lighting; installing water saving devices; and installing safety devices such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. We use an innovative “performance approach” that includes diagnostic testing on the home before, during, and after repairs and using equipment such as blower doors, duct blasters, and infrared cameras to detect problem areas within the home.

We also facilitate community workshops that train and empower families to conserve energy and water in their homes and significantly reduce utility costs. Families that attend workshops receive a home energy + water savings kit.

Both sets of activities represent important environmental conservation work that makes our communities more resilient.

AmeriCorps members are recruited directly from local Charleston communities and universities and participate in service terms ranging from 3-months (300 hours) to 6-months (900 hours) to 1-year (1,700 hours) service terms. During their service, they receive training and certifications that direct align with our conservation work and are in-demand by the federal, state and local partners we work with.

OYSI AmeriCorps members earn a living stipend while they serve and receive assistance in transitioning to postsecondary education or the workforce. Upon completion of their term of service, all AmeriCorps members receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.

A 2020 study by economists at ICF found that every $1 in federal taxes invested in AmeriCorps and Senior Corps returns $17 to society, program members, and the federal government!