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3rd ANNUAL FRANCIS MARION NATIONAL FOREST CLEANUP NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          Media Contacts:

January 13, 2010                                            Palmetto Pride: Sarah Robinson, 803-758-6034

                                                                        Francis Marion National Forest: Gwyn Ingram, 803-561-4007

3^rd ANNUAL FRANCIS MARION NATIONAL FOREST CLEANUP NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Cleanup and Lunch Planned for Saturday, February 6, 2010

Columbia, SC – PalmettoPride and the USDA Forest Service have announced the 3^rd Annual Francis Marion National Forest Cleanup planned for Saturday, February 6, 2010.  This annual event brings together national, state and local governments and volunteers to clean up litter and illegal dumpsites from our forest lands. 

Volunteer cleanup activities are an important part of protecting the wildlife habitats of the forests.  Trash is left behind from carelessness or placed there intentionally as illegal dumpsites.  From cups to tires to boats, these items create dangerous and toxic environments for wildlife, visitors and water systems.  Since the first cleanup in 2003, more than 520 volunteers have helped remove more than 100 tons of trash, illegal dumpsite materials and tires form the forest floor.

The Francis Marion National Forest covers 250,000 acres in Charleston and Berkeley Counties and provides wildlife enthusiasts with an abundance of activities such as hiking, paddling, bird watching and hunting.

Volunteers will meet at Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center (5821 Highway 17 North, Awendaw, South Carolina) at 8 a.m. and will be given directions to cleanup sites. Cleanup supplies will be provided.  Lunch will be served at noon for all volunteers. Local sponsors include Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Sewee Outpost, Domino's, Jersey Mike's, SE Wildlife Expo.

To volunteer for the cleanup, please contact Gene Campbell at 803-758-6034.

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PalmettoPride is a statewide non-profit dedicated to reducing litter in South Carolina and promoting beautification in our communities.  Their focus is a 4-pronged approach: education, enforcement, awareness and pickup.  For more information on PalmettoPride, please contact 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.