Oconee Nature Keepers

December 27, 2024

Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers:

Do you have a favorite spot—perhaps a waterfall you gravitate towards, a scenic retreat on the river, or somewhere on the lake you always go to—that holds a special place in your heart and deserves to be clean and maintained? Maybe you know of an outdoor setting that’s been trashed or overlooked and could use some attention? It can be sad and depressing to see litter when you’re out enjoying public land. It’s become commonplace to walk by, half-heartedly thinking “That’s not my trash. Hopefully someone else will get it.” But guess what? Chances are if you walk past it, so will all those who come after you. Or the leaves will fall and hide the litter…out of sight out of mind…But depending on what it’s made of, that piece of trash could stick around for a very long time.

Oconee Nature Keepers

Oconee Nature Keepers is a stewardship program initiated by Visit Oconee SC. We realize our natural attractions are popular destinations that can be negatively impacted by humans. We want to remind everyone to tread lightly and leave places even better than you found them.

The Mission:

“To promote and advance the cultural, economic, ecological, and historical significance of Oconee’s waterfalls, rivers, and lakes; to serve as an educator and advocate; and to preserve these natural treasures while facilitating their enjoyment for generations to come.”

We encourage everyone not to shy away from litter. If you see it, and it’s safe to do so, please pick it up. Think ahead and pack gloves and trash bags to be ready anytime you find trash on trails, near waterfalls or while you’re on our rivers and lakes. Together, let’s combat litter, maintain trails, and safeguard flora and fauna that thrive in our outdoor settings.

How it works

The intent of this program is to make a positive impact by caring for outdoor destinations and scenic places. As an Oconee Nature Keeper, you’ll visit “your” spot (waterfall, river, lake, trail) whenever possible.

Pick up trash. On your own or with a group.

If you encounter places that are really bad, difficult to get to, or otherwise problematic, let us know. Depending on the location, we will reach out to the Sheriff’s office or U.S. Forest Service and report the condition of trails and areas that need more concentrated effort.

Trash is everyone’s problem. Oconee Nature Keepers aims to engage local residents and visitors to combat litter countywide, with special focus on our natural areas.

We are keeping track of trash clean ups to get an idea of the overall impact Oconee Nature Keepers are having in Oconee County.

Program Perks

If you’re wondering “What’s in it for me?”

It’s a chance to join a community of people looking to get a handle on litter in Oconee County, SC
Feel good about caring for natural sites and scenic settings
Have another reason for getting outdoors and connecting with nature 🦎

Oconee Nature Keeper Requirements:

Get out and pick up trash at least 4 times a year.
Share your cleanup efforts on social media using #oconeenaturekeepers.
Record the number of bags and or pounds of trash collected after every clean up effort.
If possible, share photos of your cleanup experience using this link to show others we’re tackling trash throughout Oconee County. (Uploaded photos will appear in the Oconee Nature Keepers Gallery and possibly on our social channels to highlight the program.)
Try to join Visit Oconee SC on one of our quarterly Cleanups where we’ll tackle places that require more of a group effort.

Oconee Nature Keepers – Best Practices

Most people who visit Oconee’s waterfalls, rivers, and lakes love the outdoors and would never intentionally do anything to cause harm. However, we might not always realize that some of our actions can be harmful.

Here’s a quick list of do’s and don’ts to help minimize the impact we have on natural places.

“Our Oconee” Initiative

A well-maintained county instills pride among residents, business owners, and the community at large. Oconee County is committed to being a place everyone can take pride in and continues to work towards becoming a litter-free community by encouraging local organizations and residents to take part.

The Oconee County Council launched the Our Oconee initiative, designed to clean up 25% of the county’s roads annually. With a strong emphasis on litter reduction, education, and recycling, the Our Oconee program works alongside Keep Oconee Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep South Carolina Beautiful.

The “Our Oconee” Program Rewards Local Nonprofits

Through the Our Oconee Environmental Program, Oconee County is offering nonprofit organizations $250 for every mile of roadway litter picked up, up to a maximum of $2,500 per year. This is an excellent fundraising opportunity for school groups, churches, civic groups, or any other 501(c)(3) organization. Pre-registration with Our Oconee is required, and all participants must be at least 16 years old. To learn more about this litter abatement program, and to find an online copy of the application, visit www.oconeelaw.com/ouroconee.