Beach Sweep/River Sweep is South Carolina’s largest one-day volunteer cleanup event of its kind. Every 3rd Saturday in September, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., thousands of South Carolinians clear beaches, rivers, lakes, marshes, and swamps of aquatic debris. The cleanup, organized by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and S.C. Department of Natural Resources, has taken place annually since 1988 – when Sea Grant first started it. The Sweep takes place in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup, coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy. Once the Sweep is over, the Ocean Conservancy tallies all of the debris data. This data helps us learn the sources of litter so we can stop pollution before it starts.

Why pick up trash?

There’s always going to be garbage, right? What difference does it make?

Aquatic debris is dangerous. Seeing the effects of it first-hand, by participating in the cleanup, can demonstrate that. Litter is a danger to our wildlife, our safety, and our economy.

South Carolina is lucky to have such a vast amount of wonderful aquatic resources. We are home to a diverse wildlife population. Our state’s economy thrives on the tourism industry. However, if we don’t care for our natural resources, they simply won’t be there. Can you imagine a future in which your children or grandchildren won’t be able to enjoy our beaches? Won’t fish? Or boat? If we don’t address the consequences of our throwaway, disposable lifestyle now, these grim possibilities could become our reality, experts tell us. Don’t let it happen!

Want to be a site captain?

Perhaps you know of an area that needs attention. Why not coordinate a cleanup for that site? Check the list of sites cleaned below, and remember that not all of the site may have received attention. If your place is not listed, we could use your help. It’s not hard; we have site captains who have been with us since the very first cleanup! We provide all the supplies you need, detailed instructions and information, volunteers, publicity, and a free Beach Sweep/River Sweep t-shirt. Contact Beach Sweep, to learn how. There is no better feeling than knowing you’ve made a difference where it counts.

Have other ideas about how to help? Want more information? E-mail Beach Sweep at susan.ferris.hill@scseagrant.org or call (843) 953-2078.

Beach Sweep captains around the Charleston area include:

Isle of Palms

• Stacey Johnson
• (843) 886-0687
• staceysusanne@yahoo.com

Sullivan’s Island – Cleanup starts at 10:00 a.m.

• Olivia Williams
• (843) 883-3123 x50
• olivia_williams@nps.gov

Land-based cleanup on the Vickery’s side of Shem Creek, down Mill Street, towards the boat landing.

• Kelly Cousino
• (843) 884-1229
• kcousino@tompsc.com

Water-based cleanup on Shem Creek

• Kathie Livingston
• (843) 697-2075
• woodswoman62@yahoo.com

Pickett Recreation Area (Old Pitt St. bridge)

• Kent Prause
• (843) 884-1229
• kprause@tompsc.com

Ben Sawyer Causeway

• Dionna Ebeling
• (843) 375-5462
• cell (843) 870-4364
• debeling@mpwonline.com

Charleston Waterfront Park

• Edward Evans (843) 762-0625
• edwardevans@knology.net

Ashley River Coast Guard base to Bristol Marina

• Stuart Robertson
• (843) 278-4934
• SRobertson@megadock.us

Marsh areas under Cosgrove Bridge – Cleanup starts at 2:00 p.m.

• Jennifer Scales
• (843) 579-7501
• scalesj@charleston-sc.gov

Marsh area under Harborview Rd. exit, James Island

• Pam Ferguson
• (843) 437-7513
• epidemiologydoc@hotmail.com

Ashley River at Middleton Place

• Luke Pope
• (843) 300-8706
• charlestonkayak@gmail.com

Longbranch Creek out to Stono River and marsh area behind Clemson Experimental Station

• Clyde Umphlet
• (843) 343-7074
• LibertymarineSC@aol.com

Upper Wando River to Horlbeck Creek – 526 bridge to 41 bridge

• Brad Kerr
• (843) 991-2626
• bradley@carolinaboatyard.com

Folly Island Folly Beach

• Marty Morganello
• (843) 343-7790
• mmorganello@bellsouth.net

Mariner’s Cay Racket and Yacht Club

• Howard Christiansen
• (843) 670-8005
• hrchristiansen@comcast.net

Kiawah Island

• Bradley Schmoll
• (843) 819-1071
• bradley_schmoll@kiawahresort.com