MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (PRESS RELEASE) The Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER®, iHeart Media, Conway Parks & Recreation, Coastal Carolina University’s Faculty & Students, Ripley’s Aquarium’s Conservation Team, Gator Bait Adventure Tours, Black River Outdoors Center, Sierra Club’s Winyah Group and a multitude of eager volunteers came together to help pick up litter, trash and flood debris.
In 2015, a total of 5,000lbs of waste was collected by Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER®’s Adopt-A-Landing program and at the annual spring and fall cleanups. This years’ 2016, ‘Clean Our Local Waterways’ initiative collected over 11,200lbs of discarded waste from 4/23 through 5/7. All of the waste collected was from our local waterways and surrounding wetlands. The majority of the items collected was recyclable: plastic water bottles, glass bottles and aluminum cans.
Efforts this year were focused on the public landings along the Waccamaw River and surrounding wetlands most heavily hit by this Fall’s flooding. Between J. Todd Landing & Cox Ferry almost 4,000 pounds of trash were collected.
“This was my first time participating in a cleanup event, and while the amount of trash is disturbing, the enthusiasm and eagerness to improve the cleanliness of the river that the volunteers displayed is a testament to the heart of the people who love this river,” said a local student from Coastal Carolina University.
“I want to thank all the volunteers and the folks from the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER® Program who gave up their Saturday morning to come clean our backyard wetlands. We’re still recovering from the flood and we’re so thankful to you all,” said Lynn Cox a local resident whose home flooded on three separate occasions this fall.
“Came to my favorite Landing to see Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER® collecting over 10 large bags of trash! I haven’t been here in a while and to see it finally clean again is amazing!” Review by Matthew Gillis.
“Once again, the community came out to support this event and we were able to pick up a record amount of garbage and debris” said Emma Boyer, the Waccamaw Riverkeeper.
This has been a great initiative that truly demonstrates how community efforts matter in keeping our rivers swimmable, drinkable and fishable for our families and our future.
Every day Winyah Rivers Foundation and the Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER® program are working for you. Our mission is to PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO CLEAN WATER by protecting YOUR waterways.
Winyah Rivers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization with the mission to protect, preserve, monitor and revitalize the health of the lands and waters of the greater Winyah Bay watershed. www.winyahrivers.org.
