Charleston Waterkeeper thinks big to protect Lowcountry waterways

For Charleston Waterkeeper founder Cyrus Buffum, idealism is the foundation of a great organization. The Cape Cod native, who came to the Lowcountry in 2002 to attend the College of Charleston, serves as Charleston Waterkeeper's executive director and waterkeeper.

"I truly believe that in order to start anything, one must have a strong, yet grounded, sense of idealism; without idealism, it's nearly impossible for an idea to be given the true potential it deserves," he says.

Buffum discovered the Waterkeeper movement while exploring career options after graduation.

"I wanted to find a job that combined my three passions: water, science and people," he says. "I looked at every end of the spectrum, from graduate programs in environmental policy and international business to jobs with coastal engineering firms and state agencies. Throughout my pursuit to find a real-world job, I came across 'The Riverkeepers,' a book about two activists (Robert Kennedy Jr. and John Cronin) fighting to 'reclaim our environment as a basic human right.' I quickly learned that a waterkeeper was one who uses the power of science and the law to protect the public's right to our most essential natural resource: clean water."

The book sparked an entrepreneurial spirit Buffum didn't know he had. He contacted the international Waterkeeper network, Waterkeeper Alliance, to find out how to start a program in Charleston. Once he knew the requirements, he began drafting a proposal while also teaching sailing. "Having spent the majority of my time in Charleston on, in or around the water, I felt personally responsible for seeing that this resource was protected," he says.

The proposal took eight months and 50 pages, but in September 2008 Charleston Waterkeeper was born as the 183rd member program in the Waterkeeper Alliance. "That's when the real work began," Buffum says. "Since then, I've been spending every waking moment growing the organization to assure that it delivers the mission we have set forth from day one: to measurably improve the quality of Charleston's waterways."

To make sure that happens, Buffum is responsible for providing the organization with the bricks and mortar of a startup nonprofit organization. "From setting up initial governing components, such as establishing a board of directors and drafting a strategic plan, to building a strong grass-roots constituency, my role as founder has been focused on providing the organization with the best foundation possible," he explains.

In addition to the duties inherent in being the organization's founder and executive director, Buffum also juggles his waterkeeper responsibilities.

"The waterkeeper is the full-time advocate and spokesperson for the representative waterbody," he says. "Because there are so many communities dependent on our waterways, I have made a point to establish strong relationships with as many of these communities as possible; from sailors who use our harbor as their playground to fishermen who depend on our waterways for their livelihood, every single one of us deserves a voice to assure that our right to this resource is protected. As waterkeeper, it is my job to see that all of these voices are heard."

It's a big job, and one that keeps Buffum busy from sunup to sundown, but he does have help. He credits the existence of the organization to the hundreds of people who supported his idea. Charleston Waterkeeper currently has more than 200 members, many of whom supported the organization even before it had any accomplishments under its belt. Buffum says he is also grateful to the organization's board of directors and the committed volunteers who assist with graphic design, fundraising and more.

"It is my goal to surround myself with as many individuals as possible who are smarter and more experienced than I," Buffum states. "Our organization is driven by two things: data and our community. As a result, it is essential that we involve the brightest and most creative individuals possible."

Those who want to get involved should get connected to the organization's Web site (www.charlestonwaterkeeper.org), Facebook page and Twitter feed. Charleston Waterkeeper provides information to the community through these outlets, as well as speaking engagements and events. There are opportunities to volunteer, but Buffum says that for now, what the young organization needs most is financial help to make its programs sustainable. Local citizens also can help by becoming more aware of the issues troubling Lowcountry waterways.

While these issues are many, Buffum says the most pressing include stormwater runoff, industrial polluters and Charleston's busy marine community, including recreational and commercial users. "Most, if not all, of these issues require a two-fold solution: prevention and reaction," he says. "Often, education is the best defense; however, when an issue already exists, it's important to devise the most effective way to react to it."

Another issue is abandoned boats, which can leak fuel and toxic chemicals into the water and pose dangers for waterway users. With help from local photographer Joey Grob, Buffum created a Google map that shows the location of abandoned boats throughout the Lowcountry. The map is available on www.charlestonwaterkeeper.org, and users can mark where they have seen abandoned boats.

"After setting up the map, we published it on CharlestonFishing.com and within 24 hours, the map had nearly 40 abandoned boats identified throughout the tri-county area. This crowd-sourcing tool revealed the true power of the public," Buffum says.

Charleston Waterkeeper's iPhone app is another tool that empowers individuals. Created by Warmwinds Software's Brian Criscuolo, a local supporter who donated the Charleston Waterkeeper's patrol boat, the app includes Tweets, blog posts, a map that shows the location of abandoned boats, industrial polluters, historical landmarks and more, and a report function that allows users to send Charleston Waterkeeper a visual report and description of suspicious activity. It is available at www.charlestonwaterkeeper.org/iphone.

"Our ability to defend our waterways from polluters increases as the number of watchdogs increases. If we can use technology and other tools to empower individuals, we as a community have a greater chance at protecting our right to clean water," Buffum says.

With so much to do, the past two years have been a wild ride for Buffum. "I can safely say that it has been the most exhausting two years of my life," he says. "However, it has been the most amazing and educational experience of my life, something I am so grateful to be experiencing."