Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
“As summer winds down and school gets back into full swing, there is one time of year I especially look forward to at Keep Liberty Beautiful: returning to the classrooms,” said Amanda Jeffers, volunteer coordinator for Keep Liberty Beautiful.
Our educational program is one of the cornerstones of Keep Liberty Beautiful’s mission. We work with Liberty County public and private schools, as well as homeschool groups and local after-school programs, to help students understand the importance of litter prevention and eradication, recycling and waste reduction, stormwater pollution and conservation, beautification, and community improvement.
We offer a variety of hands-on, in-person activities that can be customized to fit each grade level. Many of our classroom visits also connect with events and environmental observances happening that month, giving students an opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in their own community.
“Education is where change begins,” Jeffers said. “When we walk into a classroom, we are not just talking to children about recycling, litter, or protecting our waterways. We are giving them knowledge, tools, and guidance that they can take home and share with their families. These children are our future, and what we teach them today can influence the way they care for our community for generations to come.”
And believe me, these students are paying attention! Children are like little sponges. They soak up what we teach them, and when that knowledge is shared with parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends, it spreads throughout the community.
The enthusiasm these young people show is one of my favorite parts of the job. Have you ever started your day by receiving hugs from 100 kindergarteners while dressed as a giant raindrop named Mrs. Drop? Or received high-fives while dressed as a recycling bin? I have, and I can assure you that you will have a great day after that!
Those experiences also remind me that little eyes are always watching. I can be at the grocery store, a park, a community event or simply out in public and suddenly get a little tap on the shoulder, a hug, or a wave from a child saying, “Hey, I know you! You’re with Keep Liberty Beautiful. You came to my school!”
Sometimes they remember my name. Sometimes they don’t. But one of my favorites is when they simply smile and say, “Hi, Mrs. Keep Liberty Beautiful!”
Those moments are reminders that what we do matters. Amanda and our entire KLB team understand that environmental education is not just about teaching facts. It is about planting seeds. When we give a child the opportunity to understand why recycling matters, why litter hurts our environment, or why clean water is important, we are helping that child become an environmental steward. Those lessons can grow into lifelong habits and inspire entire families to make better choices for our community.
As we begin another school year, our classroom lessons will also connect with several important August activities.
Recycle It! Fairs, where batteries are among the items we receive in large quantities. While single- use alkaline batteries are no longer made with added mercury and are not classified as hazardous waste under federal regulations, throwing them into household trash still means valuable materials are lost, and batteries can take many decades to break down in a landfill. We also accept rechargeable lithium, Ni-Cd, and Ni-MH batteries, as well as automotive batteries, for proper recycling.
Remember to take precautions when preparing batteries for recycling. Cover the metal terminals of 9-volt batteries with electrical or duct tape. For AA, AAA, C, and D batteries, clear tape can be used to cover the terminals. Taping the terminals helps prevent batteries from coming into contact with other metal objects, which can create a spark and potentially cause a fire. The Walthourville location will also host Shred It! Day, giving residents a secure way to dispose of old legal, financial, and medical records. The shredding truck will operate from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., but participants must be in line no later than 12:45 p.m.
On Saturday, August 22, KLB invites the community to participate in the reading garden behind the Midway Library from 9 a.m. to noon for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
Children are especially enthusiastic about pollinators. I love hearing their answers when we talk about bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. They also enjoy creating pollinator kits to take home, giving them something they can watch grow and care for.
Georgia’s Coast Is Not an Ashtray is a way Keep Liberty Beautiful educates students and residents about preventing cigarette litter in preparation for Georgia’s Coast Is Not an Ashtray Night on Friday, August 28. Be on the lookout for special drink coasters at participating coastal community bars, coffee shops, hotels, breweries, and restaurants. These coasters will help spread an important message: cigarette butts are litter, and keeping them off our streets, sidewalks, parks, and waterways is everyone’s responsibility.
Our educational program is about much more than a single classroom visit or event. It is about creating a connection between what students learn and what they see happening around them.
When a child recognizes a recycling bin, reminds a family member not to litter, learns why pollinators matter, or understands that stormwater can carry pollution into our waterways, we are seeing the results of environmental education in action.
For more information about Keep Liberty Beautiful educational programs, upcoming events, or volunteer opportunities, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 880-4888, email klcb@libertycountyga. gov, or visit www.keeplibertybeautiful. org. Follow Keep Liberty Beautiful on Facebook for the latest event updates and volunteer opportunities.