LEEP is scheduling naturalist classes now! If you would like to become a naturalist, please call LEEP at 800.732.9625 for more details.  

We are preparing to conduct LEEP classes in schools.  Our schedule is filling quickly. If you are interested in holding a LEEP class, call us at 800-732-9625.  The LEEP bus is available for rental to organizations as well as schools. The biodiesel bus teaches kids about alternative energy.

LEEP had a fun and productive summer.  Our fundraiser at Whole Foods Market 5% day in Mt. Pleasant was a terrific success.  Our director, Ian Sanchez, and enthusiastic volunteers manned a booth at the store.  Whole Foods contributed 5% of that day’s sales to LEEP.  Thank you so much Whole Foods for sponsoring the event.  Ian also taught Upward Bound classes at the College of Charleston.  This is a new partnership for LEEP, and we are pleased with the success of the program.  We also held classes at Camp Canaan over the summer, and took a group of campers on a field trip to Folly Beach.   The kids loved the trip!  LEEP had a booth at the First Day Festival in Charleston as well.  We were pleased with the great turn-out. 

Exciting Update

LEEP is preparing for the fall release and promotional tour for the WOW (Web of Water Expedition) DVD.  The DVD chronicles a month- long kayak expedition from Table Rock State Park to Charleston, highlighting the environment, history, and science of South Carolina.  We are excited to realize this long-time vision.

News to Note

LEEP is getting ready for the new school year!  Call 800-732-9625 if you would like to schedule LEEP classes.  The LEEP biodiesel bus is also available for use.  Call 800-732-9625 for details.   Volunteers are also wanted!  We are seeking volunteers for events, web tech work, grant-writing, and more.  Email Diana@scleep.org for more details.  We have received a matching grant to match all donations! Donate now by clicking on the Supporters tab on the top of the website.  Also, please note our email addresses have changed.   Email Ian Sanchez at Ian@scleep.organd Diana Bristow at Diana@scleep.org.  For general questions, email info@scleep.org. Thanks for all your support and please join us for a great school year!

It is time to catch up with whats been going on with LEEP. I am sure you all know that we have completed our WOW expedition. Ian and the crew finished up on April 1st. This year we teamed up with OPP and SCETV. We were awarded a grant from the Heritage Corridor and the SC Department of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and the US Department of Interior to complete this WOW trip. This year we completed a video of the entire trip complete with schools, beautiful pictures of nature and interviews with many specialists. We are now putting together the first WOW DVD! You can see the webisodes at www.scleep.org or at www.riverventure.org.
We are now getting ready for something new with LEEP. We are having summer camps with various organizations and school programs throughout the summer. We are looking for people to assist with these classes, so if you are interested please give Diana a call at 800.732.9625.
The LEEP bus is getting around more these days. We are booking various trips with organizations as well as school trips all over Charleston. So be on the look out for that huge blue LEEP Bio-diesel bus around town.
LEEP has also ventured into another program. We have been the first to launch Leave No Child Inside in the state of SC We are very excited and ready to get this rolling. We help our first community event at Park Circle on Earthday. We were also at Earthfare that following week. If you are interested in finding out more please go to www.scnaturekids.com.
We have had a few fund raisers by businesses in the community. In March we had “Move for a Change” host an event at The Village Tavern in Mt.Pleasant. That was a great crowd. We also had the Mellow Mushroom host and art show for LEEP. Tomorrow is another event held by Mellow Mushroom for LEEP which is a boat cruise. Proceeds from these events went to LEEP.
Ian continues to teach classes along with our wonderful Naturalists. I will be posting pictures of some of these classes soon.
We continue to seek volunteers to assist with grant writing, editing, entering data base info and event help. If you are looking for something to do this summer just call us at 800.732.9625 and I am sure we can help you!
Until next time please have a safe spring!!

Think about these questions as you watch the Webisode:

We saw a number of different types of trees as we paddled through the Congaree. One of those trees was the Red Maple. Can you describe the life cycle of a Red Maple tree?

As we pass the Fall line and head toward the coast we can see the effects of erosion and deposition. What are erosion and deposition and how do they shape the waterways?

Limestone was formed by the skeletons of ancient sea creatures.  Why can limestone be found in the coastal plains?

Fossils of Sharks Mastadon teeth and Trilobites can be found through out the coastal plain.  What are trace, cast, mold, petrified, and preserved fossils?

What is the difference between a park and a wildlife refuge?

Who was Francis Beidler and why is he important in our history?