Armed with trash bags, gloves and bright orange safety vests, volunteers will spend the morning of Sept. 19 collecting litter along the May River and nearby waterways during Bluffton's annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep.
The 37th Annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep will be held from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Oyster Factory Park at 63 Wharf Street on the May River.
“The Town of Bluffton, Lowcountry Stormwater Partners, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, Beach Sweep/River Sweep, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) invite all greater Bluffton residents and business owners to participate in the 37th Annual Beach Sweep/ River Sweep,” a Town of Bluffton spokesperson said.
Since 1988, the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium and the South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources have organized this annual event. The Beach Sweep/River Sweep takes place in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup, coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy.
The Ocean Conservancy tallies all the debris data from each location worldwide. The data helps those in charge of environmental protection to identify the sources of litter so they can make recommendations which may help prevent and reduce the amount of litter polluting our waterways.
The event will take place on land and in the water with the use of kayaks. Litter pickup will be taking place around the Historic District and on the May River. Local kayak club members will be assisting with cleanup efforts on the water.
Cleanup supplies for the event, including gloves, bags, vests, water, sunscreen, and bug spray will be provided for those participating in the event.
No registration is required for the event, and free coffee will be provided for participants.
The Town of Bluffton will also be providing lunch and snacks for participants.
For more information about the event, please contact Hannah Quast at 843-540-6958 or at hquast@townofbluffton.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Beach Sweep/River Sweep set for Sept. 19 in Bluffton
