Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
At Keep Liberty Beautiful, we have a lighthearted but familiar policy regarding the “R Word” - we try not to say it! Because so many of our events take place outdoors, the weather plays a major role in whether they can move forward. Of course, the “R Word” means rain, and when it does arrive, we carefully evaluate conditions to determine if it’s safe to proceed.
One of Keep Liberty Beautiful’s biggest ongoing efforts is hosting community cleanups throughout the year. We are nearing the completion of the 2026 Greatest American Cleanup, and the impact has been incredible. For upcoming clean ups, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook.
A major part of this success comes from our dedicated volunteers, especially those in our growing Adopt Liberty program. These groups give their time on weekends to help keep our community clean, and we are truly grateful for their commitment. While we’ve made great progress, there are still many roadsides and ponds across Liberty County that need attention.
When rain does fall, it doesn’t just water our landscapes, it also carries litter along with it. Trash left on streets and sidewalks often washes into storm drains and eventually ends up in local ponds, like those at Bryant Commons in Hinesville. These areas become collection points for debris, highlighting a problem we all share responsibility in solving.
Items like cigarette butts, cups, bottles, cans, and fast-food packaging may seem small, but together they contribute to a much larger issue known as nonpoint source pollution (NPS). This type of pollution doesn’t come from a single, identifiable source. Instead, it builds up from everyday activities across our homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and roadways.
When it rains, stormwater flows over surfaces, picking up pollutants such as oil, chemicals, sediment, pet waste, and litter. This runoff carries contaminants into creeks, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and even underground drinking water supplies. This process, known as stormwater pollution, is one of the most significant threats to water quality today.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nonpoint source pollution remains the leading cause of water quality problems in the United States. It affects not only our drinking water, but also wildlife habitats and recreational and commercial fisheries. As our communities grow, so does the impact, unless we take action.
The good news is that each of us can make a difference. Simple changes in our daily habits, combined with community efforts like the Greatest American Cleanup and the Adopt Liberty program, can create lasting, positive change.
There’s still time to get involved. You can organize a neighborhood cleanup through the end of June as part of the Greatest American Cleanup 2026, or join the Adopt Liberty program. Keep Liberty Beautiful provides all necessary supplies, including garbage bags, safety vests, gloves, litter grabbers, and even water, to support your efforts.
We deeply appreciate every volunteer who helps keep Liberty County clean and beautiful. For more information, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 880-4888 or email klcb@libertycountyga.gov.
When you understand nonpoint source pollution, you can help stop it, and be part of the solution.