Savannah Standard

Volunteers are being sought for the Rivers Alive Cleanup scheduled for October 19 in Savannah. This initiative is part of a larger statewide effort aimed at protecting and preserving local waterways.

The cleanup will concentrate on Harmon and Hayner’s Creek, located at the end of Hurst Avenue, south of Montgomery Crossroads at River’s End Landing. The event is set to commence at 9 a.m.

Residents interested in participating should gather at River’s End Landing to begin their efforts on the targeted waterways. Wilderness Southeast will provide a limited number of kayaks for volunteer use, though participants are encouraged to bring their own kayaks or small boats.

Historically, significant amounts of litter, primarily plastic bottles and Styrofoam cups, have been removed from these creeks which serve as headwaters to the Vernon River. In 2021, "the City’s Water Resources Department and The Ogeechee Riverkeeper installed and started maintaining four litter traps" to prevent debris from entering the Vernon River.

This cleanup is part of Georgia's October Rivers Alive campaign and represents the largest single volunteer effort dedicated to enhancing Georgia's waterways. The event is sponsored by Clean Coast, Ogeechee Riverkeeper, and City of Savannah Water Resources and Sanitation Departments.