James Island, S.C. (WCIV) — Members of Preserve the Gullah Task Force and the South Carolina Aquarium worked together to clean up the Mosquito Beach Marsh in James Island on Saturday morning. The group filled countless bags with trash like beer bottles and plastic forks. Linda Rowe, with the Conservation Department of the South Carolina Aquarium, was one of the volunteers. She feels it's important for people to think about how littering affects not only people, but animals as well; "People don't realize how much of a problem cigarette trash really is, that stuff doesn't biodegrade, it actually stays in the environment, and gets eaten up by animals."Willie "Halo" Heyward, CEO of Preserve the Gullah Task Force, hopes today's pick-up will inspire residents to protect the Lowcountry's environment; "We think doing it here will spark sort of a ripple effect just like the water would, and make other people see we do need to do our sea animals and our friends and family better."
To learn more about Preserve the Gullah Task Force and how to volunteer with the group click here.