Satilla Riverkeeper will hold a river cleanup from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 14. This cleanup is part of a larger, coordinated cleanup week and trash awareness campaign that Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates of the Gulf and South Atlantic states are taking part in for Earth Week.
Satilla Riverkeeper and volunteers will focus efforts on Ava Lightsey Landing at Highway 82 in Atkinson (Brantley County), removing single-use plastics, cigarette butts, tires, electronics, recyclables and more. Volunteer efforts on the Satilla River will have an immediate local impact and a larger regional impact as results will be combined with the results from other cleanups organized by fellow Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates throughout the Gulf and South Atlantic states. Results will be used to raise awareness about pollution sources, advocate for solutions to trash issues, and educate about consumer habits.
“The Satilla River faces many environmental offenses, but trash is one of the most prevalent and noticeable environmental issues,” says Satilla Riverkeeper, Laura Early. “It’s also an issue for which an individual’s actions can make a real impact.”
This year, organizers are particularly concerned about single-use, disposable plastics (plastic drink bottles, straws, plates, plastic bags) because once they enter the environment they stay around for hundreds of years. As plastics break down, they are ingested by wildlife, causing harm throughout the food chain.
“This is an event for the whole family. We’re encouraging school, church, and other groups to come and join us,” says Laura Early. Let Satilla Riverkeeper know if you plan to attend: riverkeeper@SatillaRiverkeeper.org or 912-462-5094.
If you can’t make it to this cleanup Satilla Riverkeeper invites you to follow along on social media as they’ll be posting updates on their Facebook (@Satilla.Riverkeeper) and Instagram (@satillariverkeeper) and using the region-wide hashtag #waterkeepercleanup
River cleanups have been an essential part of the Satilla Riverkeeper’s mission since the early years of the organization. Since 2014, the Satilla Riverkeeper hosts an annual river-wide cleanup in partnership with Rivers Alive. Through this partnership, the Satilla Riverkeeper has been able to track the success of river-wide cleanups and in three years has removed over 12,000 pounds of trash from the Satilla River. Look for Satilla Riverkeeper’s river-wide cleanup again in Fall 2018.
The Satilla Riverkeeper is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2004 whose mission is to protect, restore, and educate about the unique and beautiful, blackwater Satilla River. To learn more about the Satilla Riverkeeper, membership opportunities, and how you can get involved with protecting YOUR Satilla River, visit www.SatillaRiverkeeper.org.