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FRANCIS MARION NATIONAL FOREST HOSTS SATURDAY CLEANUP

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Region 4931 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29212 (803) 561-4000 www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms

Media Contacts:       

PalmettoPride: Sarah Robinson, 803-758-6034

Francis Marion National Forest: Michelle Burnett, 803-561-4091

Columbia, SC – USDA Forest Service and PalmettoPride have planned a fun-filled cleanup day in the Francis Marion National Forest this Saturday, February 2. Volunteers are needed to clean up illegal dumpsites and litter from one of this country's most beautiful natural resources. 

Working with Berkeley County, Charleston County, SC Department of Natural Resources and US Fish and Wildlife Service, these groups have pulled their resources to identify littered areas, organize volunteers and provide supplies and resources needed to remove the litter.

“We are excited to have people volunteer to help with this cleanup,” said Orlando Sutton, district ranger on the Francis Marion National Forest. “While it is unfortunate that the actions of a few irresponsible people has made Saturday's cleanup necessary, the support we are receiving shows that lots of people out there care about our environment.”

Other participating organizations and sponsors include:  Boys Scouts of America, Carolina Pride, Coca Cola, DERST Baking Company, Fennell Container Company, Keep Charleston Beautiful, Nature Adventure Outfitters, Palmetto Jeep Club, Piggly Wiggly, Sewee Association, The Home Depot and Wal-Mart. 

“The Francis Marion National Forest is one of South Carolina's top natural resources and an absolute Lowcountry treasure.  We are fortunate to have the volunteer services of caring citizens who take time out of their schedules to help return our forest to its original litter-free condition,” said Dickie Schweers, Charleston County Council. “It will be a wonderful day for the Lowcountry when those responsible for dumping debris and carelessly discarding trash along forest roads finally realize the error in their ways.  Until then, the efforts of our citizen volunteers are greatly needed and tremendously appreciated."

Participants are asked to meet at 8 a.m. at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center located at 5821 Highway 17 for registration and orientation. The Visitor Center is located approximately 12 miles from Mount Pleasant. Cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon. Supplies and lunch will be provided to all volunteers. Participants are encouraged to enjoy the forest's outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking which will be available free to all volunteers on Saturday afternoon.

PalmettoPride and USDA Forest Service hosted a cleanup of Francis Marion several years ago.  That cleanup resulted in 100 tons of debris being removed from the forest in one day and spurred a wave of dedicated volunteers who continued to remove 100% of all illegal dumpsites in the forest.  PalmettoPride has also worked with Manchester State Park, Sumter National Forest, Lake Conestee and the Mill Race Rapids at Riverbanks Zoo. 

PalmettoPride is the state anti-litter and beautification organization.  For more information on this cleanup and other programs, please visit www.palmettopride.org.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more information on the Francis Marion National Forest, please visit www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms.

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