COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM

From its inception, the Museum has remained committed to its roots of preserving the local environment and interpreting history, culture and the arts. These areas will continue to be our primary focus, but will have greater impact as stories about our local environment also inspire our visitors to take positive action in their own communities.

Together, CDM and its visitors discover connections between air, land, water, and living things, for greater environmental awareness; explore history, culture, and art to better understand ourselves and increase empathy toward others; and take action to create a more sustainable and inclusive future. The Coastal Discovery Museum strives to be a national model for demonstrating how local stories inspire action for better stewardship.

Coastal Discovery Museum reaches over 10,000 students per year, most through free or scholarshipped programs.
CDM is an advocate for clean water and sanitation and leads by example
CDM helps protect our environment below and above water through reducing pollution, participating in litter clean-ups, tracking the sources of litter, and educating the public about these eforts.
CDM is concerned with inequal access to nature and focuses our outreach on underserved communities
CDM believes that there are systemic issues of inequality related to changing climate and works with community groups to address these.

We reach over 100,000 people yearly and educate them about these issues. With a small staff of 8 people we also strive to lead by example on our 70-acre property.

We have made steady progress, adding new components every year. As an example, through a partnership with SCDNR and the Outside Foundation we are now Hilton Head Island's only location where oyster shells can be recycled to replenish our oyster reefs!