Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
As the morning sun rises over the Georgia coast, a group of volunteers climbs aboard fishing boats and skiffs, trading a day of leisure for a day of service. Their destination isn’t a fishing hole or a day on the water. It’s a stretch of beach on St. Catherine’s Island where they will spend the day collecting everything from plastic bottles and discarded fishing line to old tires and other marine debris.
For nearly two decades, these volunteers have shared one goal: protecting one of Liberty County’s most beautiful natural treasures. On Saturday, August 15, Keep Liberty Beautiful (KLB) will host its 19th Annual Beach Sweep, continuing a tradition that began in 2007. The annual cleanup depends on generous volunteer boat captains who transport participants to the island, where they work together to remove litter before it can harm wildlife or wash back into Georgia’s coastal waters.
Every year I’m amazed by the generosity of our volunteers. Our boat captains donate their boats, their fuel, and their time because they believe these beaches are worth protecting. When our community comes together like this, we’re not just picking up trash, we’re preserving the natural beauty and wildlife that make Liberty County such a special place to call home.
Although St. Catherine’s Island is relatively isolated, its shoreline collects debris carried by tides and ocean currents. Items left behind by beachgoers also contribute to the problem, creating hazards for both wildlife and the environment. Marine debris is more than an eyesore. Discarded fishing line, ropes, plastic bags, six-pack rings, abandoned nets, and other trash can entangle sea turtles, birds, fish, and other marine animals. Many animals mistake floating plastics for food, often leading to injury or death. These materials also damage sensitive coastal habitats that support healthy fisheries and wildlife populations.
For many of the volunteers, however, the Beach Sweep is about much more than collecting trash. “There’s something special about seeing families, students, military personnel, and longtime residents working side by side,” said Amanda Jeffers, volunteer coordinator for Keep Liberty Beautiful. “You leave tired, but you also leave knowing you made a real difference.”
Michael Mack, one of the volunteer boat captains who has participated in several Beach Sweeps, said the event has become one of the highlights of the year. “It’s rewarding to use my boat for something that gives back to the community,” he said. “Every bag of trash we bring back is one less threat to our waterways and wildlife. That’s something everyone can feel proud of.”
Liberty County’s connection to water runs deep. From Sunbury Boat Ramp and Riceboro Boat Ramp to Half Moon Marina, South Newport River Boat Ramp, and Bryant Commons, residents enjoy countless opportunities to fish, kayak, boat, and experience nature. More than 40 percent of Liberty County is made up of marshes, wetlands, rivers, creeks, and ponds, making clean water essential to the community’s quality of life.
Protecting these waterways begins long before litter reaches the coast.
Residents can make a difference every day by placing trash in proper receptacles, recycling whenever possible, picking up litter they encounter, and ensuring fishing line and boating waste are properly disposed of after every outing. Choosing reusable products instead of single-use plastics also helps reduce the amount of waste that can eventually become marine debris.
This year’s Beach Sweep is also seeking additional volunteer boat captains willing to help transport cleanup volunteers to and from St. Catherine’s Island. Whether you’re an experienced boater or someone looking to volunteer on shore, Keep Liberty Beautiful welcomes your support.
Our volunteers prove that one person really can make a difference. When dozens of people each do a little, together we accomplish something extraordinary. That’s what Keep Liberty Beautiful has always been about, neighbors helping neighbors protect the place we all love.”
Start getting ready for Keep Liberty Beautiful’s Recycle It! Fairs on Saturday, August 22, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Recycling collections will take place at the Liberty County Community Complex in Midway and Walthourville City Hall, with free document shredding available at the Walthourville location. Visitors to the Liberty County Community Complex can also participate in activities celebrating the Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
To learn more about the Beach Sweep, volunteer opportunities, or other Keep Liberty Beautiful programs, visit www.keeplibertybeautiful. org, call (912) 880-4888, or email klcb@libertycountyga. gov. Sometimes making a difference begins with something as simple as picking up one piece of litter. On August 15, that simple act will help keep Liberty County’s coast beautiful for generations to come.