2026 S.C. Marine Educators Association Conference
November 6th - 8th, 2026 in Charleston, SC
S.C. Department of Natural Resources: Marine Resources Research Institute (Fort Johnson)
217 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
S.C. Department of Natural Resources: Marine Resources Research Institute (Fort Johnson)
217 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
Lessons from the Lowcountry: Changing Coasts and Cultural Connections
This year’s conference theme, Lessons from the Lowcountry: Changing Coasts and Cultural Connections centers on how we educate about our dynamic coastal ecosystems, and the connection to our cultural histories of the Lowcountry.
2026 Keynote Speaker
Katie Luciano, SCGS Coastal Geologist
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Katie Luciano is a coastal geologist with the South Carolina Geological Survey (SCGS) and a licensed professional geologist in the state of South Carolina. She's been hooked on coastal and salt marsh research since she was a 19-year-old NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer intern on a multidisciplinary project in Massachusetts. Katie has an undergraduate degree in geology from the College of William and Mary and a master’s in environmental studies from the College of Charleston. She has worked for the SCGS since 2014, and is based at SCDNR’s Fort Johnson campus in Charleston, SC. Katie is passionate about interdisciplinary research, outreach, and science communication. Her research interests include coastal geomorphology, barrier island and shallow marine stratigraphy in the US Southeast, geoarchaeology, and geochronology.
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Included in Conference Registration
Please visit the Registration Page for an overview of registration tiers and to register for the conference.
Friday, November 6th, 2026
Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Thanks to Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), we are pleased to offer the following post-conference field trips free of charge to participants. Registrants will receive more information about registering for their field trip selections via their registration confirmation email. Choose between:
- Welcome Event from 6:30 pm - 9 pm: Marine-themed Trivia at Cannon Distillery
- Trivia will begin at 7 pm, Non-conference attendees welcome join and play!
- Conference day at S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute
- Keynote speaker, concurrent presentations, and poster session
- Conference day meals, including a light breakfast and lunch
- Evening banquet with silent auction at SCDNR's Outdoor Classroom overlooking the Charleston Harbor*. *Guest tickets for folks not registered for the conference are available for $40/person.
Sunday, November 8th, 2026
Thanks to Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), we are pleased to offer the following post-conference field trips free of charge to participants. Registrants will receive more information about registering for their field trip selections via their registration confirmation email. Choose between:
- Guided Cultural History Tour at McLeod Plantation Historic Site: Established in 1851, McLeod Plantation Historic Site is a 37-acre Gullah Geechee heritage site that reflects some of the most significant chapters in American history. Once sustained by sea island cotton and the labor of enslaved people, the plantation now stands as a powerful place of remembrance and learning, honoring the lives, resilience, and lasting cultural influence of those who lived and worked here. This guided tour will highlight the impact of the Freedmen’s Bureau, the development of Gullah culture, and the evolving relationships among residents over time. Read more about McLeod Plantation Historic Site via CCPRC's website.
- Guided Bird Walk at Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve: Located at the northeastern tip of Folly Island, Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve offers a unique blend of coastal beauty, rich history, and diverse wildlife. Once a strategic site during the Civil War and later used by the U.S. Coast Guard, the preserve is now a scenic destination ideal for viewing the iconic Morris Island Lighthouse, beachcombing, wildlife observation (including birding), and photography. Portions of the property serve as critical nesting grounds for threatened loggerhead sea turtles and Wilson’s plovers, as well as important migratory stopover and wintering areas for piping plovers. To preserve this environment, pets are not permitted. Read more about LIHP via CCPRC's website.
Thank you to our 2026 Conference Sponsors!
Conference Host Site
Conference Field Trip Support
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Level Sponsors
