Suwannee Waterways Cleanup

Despite the stormy forecast on November 19, the Suwannee Waterways Cleanup only had light sprinkles- great weather to gather garbage. Folks often overlook trash while pleasure boating but when 18 kayak, canoe and power boat volunteers searched... they found 429 pounds! It is tricky to find a spot to disembark near Suwannee due to slippery mud banks but the litter payoff is huge when you walk the high-water line. The most unusual find was a message in a bottle.

The Suwannee Community Center was filled with 34 guests who enjoyed a pot-luck meal featuring smoked chicken by Jerry Everett, owner of the Waterfront Market. After lunch, Tom McLaulin, from the Florida Paddling Trails Association, talked about Suwannee’s role as a Blueway Community. It is also a stop on the FPTA’s Circumnavigation Trail. The Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys Refuges ended the afternoon with their monthly board meeting.

Four non-profit groups joined together during this event in one effort: The Suwannee Chamber of Commerce, The Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys Refuges, Florida Paddling Trails Association and Paddle Florida.

Ann Herman turning stones searching for trash.

A bottle with its message- the most unusual find of the day.

Gathering Styrofoam by kayak.

Greg Lang is so happy to get all this garbage out of his fishing waters.

Tom McLaulin speaks to the Suwannee Blueway community.

Debbie Meeks and a full trailer of litter.