BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – The 2020 Francis Marion National Forest cleanup is right around the corner. This will be the 13th annual event, which brings together more than 300 volunteers in one-day to pick up litter from one of the state’s most popular outdoor recreational areas.
The Francis Marion National Forest cleanup will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 starting at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers of all ages are asked to join together at U.S. Forest Service Office, located at 2967 Steed Creek Road, Huger, SC, to make a big difference in just a few hours.
PalmettoPride and the USDA Forest Service look forward to another successful event to help clean up the forest visited and enjoyed by thousands of people each year.
“Since our first cleanup in 2003, we have been tracking how routine pickup can impact litter reduction rates,” said Sarah Lyles, Executive Director of PalmettoPride. “As of last year, the average pounds per person picked up has reduced from 400 in 2003 to an astonishing 37.29.”
Individuals and groups will be directed to various roadside locations for roadway pickup of trash and debris. Larger groups and partner organizations will be directed into the forest with trucks, Jeeps and other equipment to tackle the illegal dumpsites. Any volunteers who wish to participate in a water cleanup can join the Blueway Adventures group and clean up the river on Kayaks or canoes.
The 2019 cleanup efforts removed 12,220 pounds of trash, including a half-ton of tires and two boats from the forest. Each year, PalmettoPride sees the numbers of overall trash decreasing, which is a good sign. Consistent litter cleanup leads to less litter over time.
For more information about the cleanup or ways to get involved please visit PalmettoPride’s website or contact Scott Morgan at [email protected].
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