Spartina Grass Restoration: A Team Effort For A Better Marsh

Throughout the Lowcountry, people are working every day to protect the waters, wildlife, and landscapes that make this coast so special. At the heart of it all is the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), keeping watch over and stewarding our local ecosystems. And, while oysters tend to get a lot of well-deserved love in the coastal conservation conversation, there’s another quiet hero in the mix—one you’ve probably seen a thousand times without even thinking twice.

Meet Spartina Grass. This tall, swaying salt marsh grass might seem like background scenery, but, like our beloved oysters, it’s absolutely essential to the health of South Carolina’s coastal ecosystems. On June 12, we joined our partners at SCDNR for a Spartina planting at their historic Maryville site in Charleston, SC. This was a special day—not just because we got to get our hands dirty restoring the marsh, but because we were able to make a big donation to DNR, through the Toadfish Conservation Coalition, that will help their Spartina restoration efforts for years to come. 

Let’s take a closer look at why this hardy grass matters, and how a simple tool—paired with a shared mission—is helping bring degraded marshes back to life.

On June 12th, we headed out with DNR to their Maryville restoration site - a part of the historic Ashleyville/Maryville community along the Ashley River. This area has faced long-term “marsh dieback” since severe droughts in 2012 and 2016, and it hasn’t bounced back on its own. So SCDNR and their partners—including local leaders and conservation organizations—are taking action. And it’s not a quick fix. Restoration at this scale involves replanting thousands of Spartina plugs, cutting new tidal creeks by hand to bring back water flow, and even installing protective oyster reefs. It’s gritty, hands-on work. But it’s also hopeful—reviving an ecosystem that’s woven into the community’s identity, history, and future.

If you’ve ever walked through pluff mud, you know how sticky, slippery, and exhausting it can be. Now imagine carrying trays of delicate Spartina plugs and planting tools through it. In restoration, access can be one of the biggest challenges—and in places like Maryville, traditional boats often can’t reach the shallow, winding channels where marsh grass is most needed.

That’s where paddleboards come in.

Through the Toadfish Conservation Coalition, we were able to purchase and donate 6 LIVE Watersports paddleboards from SUP Customs to SCDNR for their use in marsh restoration projects. The unique design of these boards offers unmatched stability, load capacity, and maneuverability—perfect for getting into tight spots without damaging fragile habitat.

You might be thinking, why paddleboards? Well, here’s why:

•  Less trudging, more planting:  Paddleboards help volunteers reach target zones without disturbing the marsh beneath them.

•  Bigger hauls, fewer trips.  With up to 700 pounds of capacity, these boards carry tons of plants and tools with ease.

•  Precise access.  Shallow, narrow channels are no match for these agile boards—getting teams right where the work is needed most!

•  Low impact.  Most importantly, they minimize disruption to sensitive areas, giving the newly planted Spartina the best shot at survival.

The right tools, like these paddleboards, can mean the difference between a project that works—and one that truly flourishes.