The Friends of Callawassie Island (FOCI) have awarded a $3,000 grant to the Port Royal Sound Foundation (PRSF) to assist in the purchase of a floating boat launch for the Maritime Center located on the Chechessee River.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<a href="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PRSF-Grant-e1539890977111.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-37906" src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PRSF-Grant-e1539890977111-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="310" height="639"></a>The PRSF naturalists use a small boat for water safety purposes and to aid in the collection of natural samples for educational programming. This boat launch will make it safer and easier for PRSF to store, use and maintain the boat.

Marietta Dennis and Jerry Nerad presented the check to PRSF Executive Director Jody Hayward and PRSF Director of Development Alicia Powell at the Maritime Center in late September.

“The Port Royal Sound Foundation is so honored to receive this important grant from the Friends of Callawassie Island,” Hayward said. “Callawassie Island has been a strong supporter since our inception four years ago. This grant helps us to improve our infrastructure and makes it easier for us to collect marine and plant specimens for the Maritime Center. This will enhance our educational programming for children and families and insure safe boat launching for our naturalists. We appreciate the financial and volunteer support that we receive from the wonderful people of Callawassie Island.”

The Port Royal Sound Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is dedicated to the betterment and conservation of the waters and lands of our unique salt marsh ecosystem that is the Port Royal Sound estuary system. Their mission is to advance the awareness of Port Royal Sound as a unique ecosystem that contributes to the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of our area, the region and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Maritime Center opened in November 2014 and serves as an educational museum with over 20 exhibits and live animal displays that help to build a greater appreciation for the Port Royal Sound. More than 60,000 visitors have visited the Maritime Center and experienced many of the tours and programs that are offered.

The Maritime Center is open to the public Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission to the Maritime Center is free. More information can be found at www.PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org and on Facebook.