Water matters for all of us. We cannot survive without it. I doubt most of us give any thought in our daily lives about how much we use water. We just take for granted it is safe and healthy enough for us to drink, bathe and even play in. Water does matter — clean and safe water really does.
That is why, I hope you will join us and more than 70,000 others across the nation this fall in participating in the annual Rivers Alive Cleanups.
Last year, more than 25,000 volunteers picking up 708,000 pounds of litter and debris from 2,395 miles of waterways in our state. We had our first official Rivers Alive events in Liberty County last year with about 70 volunteers picking up a ton of litter and debris from three locations.
Upcoming effort
This year, we need a couple hours of your time Oct. 20 to clean even more water areas in our community.
We plan to target several locations. In the eastern part of the county, we will have cleanups at South Newport River near exit 67 on I-95 as well as the community fishing area at Riceboro Creek on Highway 17. This year, we also want to clean certain creeks in Hinesville, Flemington, Walthourville and Allenhurst.
I know someone is wondering why we want to do these cleanups in town at an event called Rivers Alive. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia’s water resources. Rivers Alive targets cleanups across all waterways in the state, including streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and the ocean.
A significant percentage of our community population lives in what we deem our “urbanized area” in Liberty County, including Hinesville, Flemington, Walthourville and Allenhurst. Because of this, we have to be concerned about the amount of litter and debris that accumulates in small creeks such as Peacock Canal.
Cleaning up around these local waterways is important because ground litter eventually makes its way into our larger waterways. Even if trash is not directly thrown into a waterway, it can eventually be washed by rain into creeks and streams. Whatever ends up in these creeks and town storm drains eventually ends up in our rivers and ocean. In some ways, it is even more crucial to keep these areas cleaned and monitored than waterways further downstream.
Litter is devastating, not only to the water where we fish and play but also to the fish and marine life in our waters and birds that feed in our waters. They can mistake litter for food. They can become entangled in litter, such as six-pack rings or discarded fishing line. And they can become sick from polluted and littered waters. Periodic cleanups like Rivers Alive help us keep our waterways cleaner.
Although Oct. 20 may seem like a long way off, now is the time to talk to your friends, family, organization or church group to make plans to be involved. Rivers Alive is a great project for scouts and youth groups as well as civic clubs and church groups. Rivers Alive volunteer hours can be used for community service credit at our local schools. It is also an event that can be used for environmental projects and credit for local Boy and Girl Scout patches.
Water cleanups are important for our environment — and fun. We had a number of families participate last year. It is a great way for your family to make a difference together. Talk to your group or faimly now.
Contact information
For more information on Rivers Alive in Liberty County, contact me. You can also check out the state Web site at www.riversalive.org.
For more information on Keep Liberty County Beautiful programs, contact me at 368-4888 or klcb@libertycountyga.com
That is why, I hope you will join us and more than 70,000 others across the nation this fall in participating in the annual Rivers Alive Cleanups.
Last year, more than 25,000 volunteers picking up 708,000 pounds of litter and debris from 2,395 miles of waterways in our state. We had our first official Rivers Alive events in Liberty County last year with about 70 volunteers picking up a ton of litter and debris from three locations.
Upcoming effort
This year, we need a couple hours of your time Oct. 20 to clean even more water areas in our community.
We plan to target several locations. In the eastern part of the county, we will have cleanups at South Newport River near exit 67 on I-95 as well as the community fishing area at Riceboro Creek on Highway 17. This year, we also want to clean certain creeks in Hinesville, Flemington, Walthourville and Allenhurst.
I know someone is wondering why we want to do these cleanups in town at an event called Rivers Alive. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia’s water resources. Rivers Alive targets cleanups across all waterways in the state, including streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and the ocean.
A significant percentage of our community population lives in what we deem our “urbanized area” in Liberty County, including Hinesville, Flemington, Walthourville and Allenhurst. Because of this, we have to be concerned about the amount of litter and debris that accumulates in small creeks such as Peacock Canal.
Cleaning up around these local waterways is important because ground litter eventually makes its way into our larger waterways. Even if trash is not directly thrown into a waterway, it can eventually be washed by rain into creeks and streams. Whatever ends up in these creeks and town storm drains eventually ends up in our rivers and ocean. In some ways, it is even more crucial to keep these areas cleaned and monitored than waterways further downstream.
Litter is devastating, not only to the water where we fish and play but also to the fish and marine life in our waters and birds that feed in our waters. They can mistake litter for food. They can become entangled in litter, such as six-pack rings or discarded fishing line. And they can become sick from polluted and littered waters. Periodic cleanups like Rivers Alive help us keep our waterways cleaner.
Although Oct. 20 may seem like a long way off, now is the time to talk to your friends, family, organization or church group to make plans to be involved. Rivers Alive is a great project for scouts and youth groups as well as civic clubs and church groups. Rivers Alive volunteer hours can be used for community service credit at our local schools. It is also an event that can be used for environmental projects and credit for local Boy and Girl Scout patches.
Water cleanups are important for our environment — and fun. We had a number of families participate last year. It is a great way for your family to make a difference together. Talk to your group or faimly now.
Contact information
For more information on Rivers Alive in Liberty County, contact me. You can also check out the state Web site at www.riversalive.org.
For more information on Keep Liberty County Beautiful programs, contact me at 368-4888 or klcb@libertycountyga.com