“Pick Up Your Parks” initiative combats litter in local parks and green spaces with free clean up kits
September 7, 2023
The Charleston Parks Conservancy, alongside South Carolina Aquarium and Keep Charleston Beautiful, introduces a proactive initiative to combat litter in local parks and green spaces. The “Pick Up Your Parks” Clean up Kits campaign, powered by a PalmettoPride grant, offers households up to two complimentary kits featuring essential tools for cleaning up litter. Residents can use these kits individually to clean City of Charleston parks or join organized efforts, like the September 24 “Pick Up Your Parks” litter sweep of the West Ashley Bikeway led by the Parks Conservancy and Keep Charleston Beautiful. The Parks Conservancy will partner with Lowcountry Land Trust for a litter sweep at Angel Oak Park on October 2. Register for a free kit and to participate in a litter sweep at charlestonparksconservancy.org/pickupyourparks.
“This campaign marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to fostering a healthier environment, safeguarding habitats, and preserving wildlife,” said Devon Andrews, Director of Partnerships and Engagement at Charleston Parks Conservancy. “The fight against litter underscores the shared responsibility each resident, business owner, and visitor bears in nurturing our community’s parks and green spaces. It symbolizes the collective pride we hold for our community and the legacy we endeavor to pass on to future generations.”
The Charleston Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing and preserving 25 of Charleston’s parks and green spaces, has been proactively addressing the litter challenge. Collaborating with the S.C. Aquarium, Keep Charleston Beautiful, and other organizations in 2022, the Conservancy engaged 490 dedicated volunteers in a series of litter sweeps, resulting in the removal of over 1,800 lbs. of debris from parks, greenspaces, and marsh areas.
“While litter prevention is PalmettoPride’s primary objective, litter pickups are still vital to keeping South Carolina beautiful. Volunteers are crucial to our mission of achieving a litter-free South Carolina,” said Sarah Lyles, Executive Director at PalmettoPride. “Our grant programs help our mission reach every corner of the state by providing financial and logistical support to local stakeholders and volunteers.”
Residents are encouraged to utilize the clean up kits which include a reusable tote, litter grabber, trash bags, safety vest, gloves, and user-friendly reporting instructions, to embark on individual or organized clean up missions within the City of Charleston parks. The Charleston Parks Conservancy, in conjunction with its partners, invites the community to join its “Pick Up Your Parks” events at West Ashley Bikeway on September 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on October 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Angel Oak Park on Johns Island.
To amplify the impact of this initiative, the Conservancy will collate litter reports from participants and document the data in the South Carolina Aquarium’s Litter Journal—a vital resource for developing innovative solutions to mitigate litter. Additional “Pick Up Your Parks” litter sweeps are planned in the coming months. Learn more and register for a complimentary “Pick Up Your Parks” clean up kit and litter sweeps.
Photos of the 2022 litter sweep. Photo credit: Justin Falk Photography.
About the Charleston Parks Conservancy
The Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the people of Charleston to connect with their parks and create stunning public places and a strong community. For more than 13 years, the Conservancy — through public-private partnerships — has had a hand in renovating and beautifying more than 20 parks in the City of Charleston. In 2020, renovations were completed at Moultrie Playground and St. Julian Devine Community Center & Park. Other notable projects include the complete renovation of Colonial Lake, the renovation of the Rose Pavilion at Hampton Park, Magnolia Park and Community Garden, and Medway Park and Community Garden. For more information, visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org, Instagram: @charlestonparks, and Facebook / YouTube: @CharlestonParksConservancy.
About Keep Charleston Beautiful
Since 1977, Keep Charleston Beautiful has been dedicated to preserving the area’s beauty and enhancing public cleanliness. Through initiatives centered around litter clean up, beautification, and education, they foster a sense of community pride reflected in the cleanliness of Charleston. By uniting residents, businesses, and government, they’ve formed effective outreach programs addressing litter, sustainability, and beautification. Their school-based efforts instill litter-free habits, environmental consciousness, and youth volunteerism. From combatting pet waste and cigarette litter to promoting recycling and zero-waste events, Keep Charleston Beautiful strives for a cleaner, greener future. Their year-round collaboration with volunteers of all sizes revitalizes local spaces, safeguarding property values, aesthetics, and the well-being of children and wildlife.
About Lowcountry Land Trust
Lowcountry Land Trust—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—permanently protects land throughout coastal South Carolina that is foundational to the area’s coastal ecosystem and residents’ quality of life. Having protected over 150,000 acres of land since its founding in 1986, Lowcountry Land Trust is one of the leading local land trusts in the United States. More information about Lowcountry Land Trust is available at www.lowcountrylandtrust.org.
About South Carolina Aquarium
The South Carolina Aquarium is committed to conserving water, wildlife, and wild places through education, research, and community engagement. The Aquarium fosters positive change for the natural world through its conservation efforts.
About Palmetto Pride
PalmettoPride is working towards a litter-free South Carolina. Created as a legislative initiative to fight litter and help beautify South Carolina by engaging citizens to take action in their communities through education, enforcement, awareness, and pickup.
