By TAMMIE NASON
Of KWCB
In a remarkable display of community spirit, 94 volunteers and local leaders collaborated with Keep Wakulla County Beautiful and the U.S. Forest Service to clean up the Apalachicola National Forest on Saturday, March 2.
The annual event, supported by the U.S. Forestry Service, marked the kickoff for Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup.
Identifying 40 sites with excessive litter or illegal dumping, the volunteers collected two Dumpsters full of debris, ranging from tires and furniture to appliances and more. The Leaders Against Litter initiative, involving community leaders like Commissioner Mike Kemp, Commissioner Chuck Hess, KWCB Board member and Supervisor of Elections Joe Morgan, Property Appraiser Ed Brimner, County Administrator David Edwards, and Sopchoppy Mayor Lara Edwards, aimed to raise awareness about Florida’s litter problem, emphasizing civic responsibility.
Tammie Nason, the Executive Director of KWCB, highlighted the significance of the initiative: “Keeping Florida beautiful is a civic responsibility that rests equally on all our shoulders,” she stated.
The cleanup effort contributes to Keep America Beautiful’s Greater American Cleanup Pledge, striving to reduce litter by 25% across 25,000 communities by July 4, 2026, the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The focus is on grassroots community service projects engaging volunteers, businesses, and civic leaders.
The Apalachicola National Forest, spanning 573,521 acres, hosts diverse wildlife, including Florida black bears, eagles, and endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers. The cleanup aims to protect this fragile environment from the direct and indirect consequences of litter.
Litter poses risks to both wildlife and the ecosystem, with toxins affecting soil and water, injuries to wildlife, and increased fire hazards. The community’s vigilance is encouraged, with a request to report any litter sites or dumping to the Wakulla Ranger District.
The success of the cleanup is attributed to the support of Wakulla County, WastePro’s donation of dumpsters, and the dedication of volunteers.
“We are so fortunate to have the beauty of the forest and its wildlife right here and accessible to us,” said Nason. “It is such a shame that not everyone respects our fragile environment.” The call to action remains for everyone to play their part in preserving the natural treasures that surround us.
