About Us

The Mission

For a Sound Future

The Port Royal Sound Foundation’s mission is to conserve the Port Royal Sound for the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of our area.

a
1970

Port Royal Sound Environmental Study

Port Royal Sound Environmental Study was commissioned by the governor as a result of BASF’s plans to build a chemical plant on the Colleton River.

See study here

a
1995

Beaufort County & Clean Water Task Force Formed

In reaction to the state’s closure of 500 acres of shellfish beds in various Beaufort County waterways

a
1997

The Task Force Published…

A Blueprint for Clean Water: Strategies to Protect and Restore Beaufort County’s Waterways

See document here.

a
1999

Beaufort County’s Special Area Management Plan Developed

To focus on implementing 10 (out of 50) recommendations from “A Blueprint for Clean Water: Strategies to Protect and Restore Beaufort County’s Waterways”.

See document here.

a
2000

Friends of The Rivers Formed…

As a stewardship group in response to the Special Area Management Plan to carry on the mission of water-quality protection and land planning.

a
2011

Name Change to The Port Royal Sound Foundation

After 11 years of successfully educating the county and municipalities on the importance of protecting the marine waters of Beaufort County, the board of directors of Friends of the Rivers chose to expand its effort to include all of the natural, cultural and historical resources of the Port Royal Sound system. Because the mission, bylaws and directors were to stay and due to the need to maintain a tax-exempt status, the IRS and the state of South Carolina approved a simple name change to the Port Royal Sound Foundation.

a
2014

The Foundation’s Maritime Center Opened

As a storefront and education center for the nonprofit organization.

a
2021

The Maritime Center is renamed

The Maritime Center is renamed the “Sharon and Dick Stewart Maritime Center” after years of generosity and leadership from the Stewart family

Text "Happy" to 243725 to donate $7.00 in honor of the Maritime Center turning 7!
Donate Online
close-image
Today is #GivingTuesday. Join the movement of generosity - donate now!
Donate Online
close-image
Book a Program Book a Program