Press release from Transylvania County Tourism:
Transylvania County Tourism (TCT), through its sustainability initiative Transylvania Always, will be launching the next stage of their “Leave It Better” campaign on February 4. The new phase encourages locals to step up and actively participate in protecting Transylvania County’s public lands through the creation of Clean-up Crews.
“We’re excited about this new element to our “Leave It Better” initiative,” shares TCT Executive Director Clark Lovelace, “It reflects our board’s commitment to go above simply marketing and promoting our destination. This initiative is the latest from our Transylvania Always program, which was created over four years ago to address the impact of users on the incredible parks, forests, and waterways we’re blessed to have here in Transylvania County.”
The Clean-up Crew program provides a fun and interactive way for local businesses, organizations and groups of individuals, to host a clean-up event in Transylvania County’s public lands. After signing up online, Clean-up Crew organizers are outfitted with a free SylvanSport Hacky Pack filled with gloves, litter bags, a sustainable first-aid kit and sunscreen, and a token for a free gift for each crew member to be redeemed at the Brevard/Transylvania Visitor Center. As they collect trash, Clean-up Crews are encouraged to post hashtagged photos of their efforts to Facebook and Instagram. The Clean-up Crew that collects the most bags of trash in 2021 will be awarded a $2,500 grant toward a green initiative at their business/organization or otherwise completed by their group.
To make a clean-up as easy as possible, Transylvania County Tourism worked with officials and representatives from Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest, Gorges State Park and waterways including sections of the French Broad River. and compiled a list of high-visitation locations that need extra attention, as well as tips and safety information. All of this information is readily available on the Explore Brevard website at www.explorebrevard.com/clean-up-crew.
“We at DuPont State Recreational Forest have long relied on our committed volunteers and nonprofit partners like the Friends of DuPont Forest to protect our natural resources against the impacts of littering. It is important for public lands to have local partners, such as Transylvania County Tourism and their “Leave It Better” Clean-up Crew program, who continue to inspire others to take positive on-the-ground action,” says Jason Guidry Forest Supervisor DuPont State Recreational Forest
Inspired by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, the “Leave It Better” campaign was built around promoting outdoor responsibility and preservation with a sustained focus on the challenges of litter. Each year, millions of pounds of garbage are left behind in America’s forests, streams and rivers as visitors enjoy public lands. The “Leave It Better” initiative is designed to educate and encourage people to take responsibility for protecting and preserving these fragile natural assets for generations to come.
When it launched in August 2020, the first phase of “Leave It Better” addressed the critical need for visitor responsibility and stewardship in the wake of increased public land visitation, particularly during Covid-19, through innovative messaging and direct public engagement.
As “Leave It Better’s” focus shifts from public education to facilitation, the Transylvania Always committee hopes it will encourage responsibility and stewardship as a part of the recreational experience.
“So many people want to make a difference. The Clean-up Crews make it easier than ever to do something meaningful for the public lands and waterways we all love. It’s really as simple as getting a group together and signing up online. The impact we have today can preserve these beautiful places for generations to come,” says Aaron Baker, Transylvania Always Committee Chair.
For more information, or to put together your own clean-up crew please visit www.explorebrevard.com/clean-up-crew.
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