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A National Ocean Service/National Center for Coastal Ocean Science Program

Phytoplankton Monitoring Network

Promoting a better understanding of harmful algal blooms by way of volunteer monitoring

Volunteers

South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston, SC

  • Site: SC Aquarium, Charleston Harbor
  • Group Volunteer: Rachel Kalisperis
  • Description:A diverse group of six volunteers make the South Carolina Aquarium monitoring group a success: high school students, Helen German and Ashley Bateman; retired science teacher, Beth Baldwin; Red Cross volunteer, Colleen Rumble; tennis fan, Nancy Heinz; and Labrador puppy servant, Carolyn Anderson. These wonderful women also help out as exhibit guides, tour leaders and lab assistants at the aquarium. Rachel Kalisperis, a staff member at the aquarium, helps by entering data and organizing sampling schedules. When asked what volunteering with PMN means to them, a common answer was that it's fun and rewarding because our contribution can help improve aquatic environments for future generations.