Sea Beyond Foundation

✨ 250 YEARS OF FREEDOM — CELEBRATE LIKE IT MATTERS ✨

This isn’t just another Fourth of July… this is America’s 250th Independence — a once-in-a-generation moment. Let’s make it unforgettable for all the right reasons. https://america250.org/

This year, we celebrate BIG… and we celebrate RESPONSIBLY:
💙 Skip the balloon releases
💙 Leave no litter behind
💙 Honor our communities, our coastlines, and our wildlife
Because here’s the truth — what goes up doesn’t just disappear. It comes back down into our oceans, our marshes, and the places we love most – as dangerous litter.
Let’s show what 250 years of freedom really looks like:
✨ Caring for our environment
✨ Protecting our wildlife
✨ Coming together with purpose
This is our moment to lead. To inspire. To celebrate in a way future generations will thank us for.
🎆 Make it meaningful.
🌊 Make it beautiful.
💙 Make it count.

Salute from the Shore

🇺🇸We can't wait for 1pm on Saturday! Please like, share and help us get the word out!

Gather your family, setup your displays and help us honor those who have served and continue to serve. 🇺🇸

Be sure to tag us in your photos and videos!

🌅 Clean Beaches, Bright Futures 🌅

When we look out at the ocean, we aren't just looking at a beautiful view—we’re looking at the future we are leaving behind for the next generation. 🌊👧
Protecting our coastlines starts with the small choices we make every single day. Whether you're spending a weekend at the shore or just minding your daily footprint, every action adds up.

Let's commit to these simple promises:
• Love Our Beaches: Treat our shores with the respect they deserve.
• Celebrate Responsibly: Enjoy today, but protect tomorrow.
• Dispose of Waste Properly: Bin it. Don't leave it behind for the tide to wash away.
• Leave Only Footprints: Take only memories, leaving the sand pristine.

A clean beach today means a better world tomorrow. Let’s keep our oceans blue—for me, for you, and for them. 💙

Together, we make a difference. 🤝

We want South Carolina lawmakers to pass bill H3047 to classify balloon debris as litter - please sign our petition https://www.sea-beyond.org/balloons

S.C. Sea Grant Consortium

We are celebrating World Ocean Month by talking about different facets of conservation ecology. One of the less popular topics of ocean conservation is marine debris. Marine debris includes many different items we use on a daily basis that end up in our waterways and harm marine ecosystems. Single-use plastics, fishing gear, metals, paper, and rubber are all human-made contaminants that entangle and injure marine animals. In fact, in the North Pacific Ocean there is a region called the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” containing a high concentration of marine debris that can be seen from space.

The plastics that end up in waterways break down into smaller pieces called microplastics; these are small pieces of plastic that are 5 mm or smaller. They exist in two forms including primary microplastics, like plastic pellets or microbeads, or secondary microplastics that break down from larger plastics. Smaller marine animals can mistake these microplastics for food causing microplastics to travel up the food chain and even to our diet. They can even carry pollutants in the water and impact the physiology of a variety of marine animals we adore.

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium aims to decrease the amount of plastics being introduced in marine ecosystems through a variety of different research programs, one of which being the From Blue-Gray to Blue-Green project. This project facilitates the transition to non-plastic, natural material use within the coastal zone ecosystems. This is completed in three different sectors: coastal restoration, oyster aquaculture, and water quality applications. This is done through lab/field work and outreach and education throughout the state to help support our coastal ecosystems! Click the link in our bio to learn more

💙 Happy Father's Day 💙

On the longest day of the year, we're reminded that time is one of the greatest gifts we can share.

Today, we celebrate the fathers and father figures who teach us how to care for our families, and also how to care for our beaches, waterways, wildlife, and community.

Spend some extra time outside today:
🌊 Visit the beach
🐢 Look for wildlife
🚶 Take a nature walk
🎣 Go fishing
🌅 Watch the sunset
🧹 Pick up litter along the way

Together, we can leave behind a legacy of love—not litter.

Happy Father's Day from Sea Beyond Foundation. 💙🌊

Our Marsh Counts

We want to take a moment to congratulate Sandra Bundy on her powerful opinion article, "Commentary: Expand the Fight Against Plastic Pollution." 🌎🌾

In her article, Sandra highlights the growing threat of plastic pollution in our marshes and waterways. This threat goes beyond just our wildlife but ultimately impacts human health. As she explains, “Microplastics have infiltrated our food, our water, and our bodies. Adults are now estimated to inhale and ingest more than 71,200 microplastics every day.”

Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue; it is a public health issue. To help address this growing problem, Sandra encourages community members to contact their federal representatives and senators and ask them to co-sponsor the Farewell to Foam Act and the Microplastics Safety Act.

Link below 🔗
https://bit.ly/beaufort-plastic-ban

This is an exciting opportunity to get involved in a local oyster wire reef deployment.

Join us on Monday, June 22nd for another MWR Deployment! If you are interested, register at the link here: https://coastalconservationleague.org/events/

📆 June 22nd, 2026
⏰ 9:00am - 11:30am
📍Murrells Inlet Public Boat Ramp

**Please note that the reef deployment is labor-intensive, and you must wear closed-toed shoes.**

🌎🐢 June 16 is World Sea Turtle Day! 🐢🌎

💡 Did you know?
A balloon drifting in the ocean looks almost identical to a jellyfish. For sea turtles, that’s a deadly mistake. What goes up doesn’t disappear—it comes back down as harmful debris, often ending up in the stomachs of the marine life we’re trying to protect.
💙 Let’s celebrate differently.
🌊 Looking for ideas?
Visit https://www.sea-beyond.org/ and discover simple ways to celebrate responsibly! AND make a real impact by signing our “Balloons Blow” petition for South Carolina at https://www.sea-beyond.org/balloons

Together, we can keep our oceans—and turtles—safe. https://www.seaturtleweek.com

Eco-friendly alternatives to balloon releases help prevent environmental harm and protect wildlife — while still creating beautiful, meaningful moments. 🌎✨
If you’re planning a celebration or memorial, consider these sustainable options that offer the same (or even more memorable) visual impact:
🌬 Bubbles – Blowing bubbles creates a quiet, magical “release” effect. Try giant bubble wands or a bubble machine for an extra wow factor.
🌱 Planting – Plant a tree, flowers, or even create a memorial garden in honor of a loved one or special event. A living tribute lasts for years.
🎏 Wind-Based Decor – Use pinwheels, ribbon wands, wind socks, or colorful bunting. They create beautiful movement without littering — and can be reused.
🕯 Lights & Water – Float candles or flowers in a stream, or light eco-friendly luminaries for a peaceful, glowing tribute.
🌸 Natural Confetti – Toss birdseed, dried flower petals, or leaves that break down 🌱🌱naturally or can be easily cleaned up.
🪁 Sky Alternatives – Fly kites or use tissue paper pom-poms for a vibrant and uplifting display.
Small changes make a big difference. Let’s celebrate with love — not litter. 💙❤️❤️