Portfolio
FOGC PORTFOLIO
This portfolio illustrates 10 examples of FOGC’s approach to artful activism by members including passionate scientists, designers, an oysterman, a radio show host, students, educators, and naturalists. We work across mediums including visual art, digital illustration, music, performance art, and more to foster care for Gadsden Creek and the Gadsden Green community.
LETTERS OF SUPPORT
June 30, 2021
SC State Rep. Wendell Gilliard Warns Against Overdevelopment at Gadsden Creek
Excerpt: “I fear for the City of Charleston peninsula and the surrounding communities’ quality of life because of the ongoing flooding and density problems in that area … Historically we know when you build on or around wetlands it doesn’t end well.”
June 19, 2018
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Excerpt: “The NMFS finds the proposed filling and dredging of salt marsh and intertidal habitat would adversely affect EFH [Essential Fish Habitat] and HAPC [Habitat Area of Particular Concern].”
June 18, 2018
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Excerpt: “…the project as currently proposed would result in significant impacts to important estuarine resources. Avoidance and minimization of impacts has not been adequately demonstrated…”
May 30, 2018
United States Fish and Wildlife Service letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Excerpt: “The Service does not agree that the proposed fill of salt marsh is necessary to create a viable mixed use development at this site. The applicant has not demonstrated that the marsh must be filled in order to create a development to serve the Medical University or any other entity… Replacing the salt marsh wetlands with impervious pavement and buildings will merely exacerbate existing flooding issues, while restoration of the existing salt marsh would help alleviate or minimize the flooding.”
VIDEO
NowThis - fighting environmental racism to save south carolina wetland
In March 2021, NowThis News published a 5-minute feature on the FOGC campaign.
Tour of gadsden creek (2021)
30-minute guided tour, that walks through the history of environmental racism inflicted by the City of Charleston upon the Gadsden Green community. We connect the traces of this harm that are still observable today, to raise awareness around how the WestEdge development continues this pattern.
We Are Gadsden Creek!
Tonisha speaks up on behalf of a growing community initiative in Charleston, SC, to save the Gadsden Creek watershed, an Essential Fisheries Habitat, from being filled in and paved over for a development project. Community volunteers organize to clean the trash which has accumulated on the creek's banks and carried there by stormwater run-off.
Charleston Development Academy 8th Graders - On A Mission
On A Mission Music - "What We CDA Students Have to Say about Flooding in Our Community"
paddling gadsden creek
On May 16, 2015, four friends paddled the majority of Gadsden Creek, the last remaining tidal creek in Charleston's Old City District, on an urban expedition.
PRESENTATIONS
gadsden green community summit
In Feb 2024, Friends of Gadsden Creek hosted a two-day Gadsden Green Community Summit. The first day, hosted at Burke High School, featured panels including Joshua Robinson, Friends of Gadsden Creek, Gadsden Green Residents, Housing Justice & Tenant Rights, and Black Activist & Alternative Futures. Click the link above for a Youtube playlist containing all presentations.
US Water Prize talk (49:30 - 1:11:50)
In Sep 2021, Friends of Gadsden Creek accepted the 2021 US Water Prize for “Outstanding Artist”. At the awards ceremony, we spoke with Benny Starr (US Water Alliance Artist-in-Residence) and Tis (Salmon Speakers).