More than 60 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help protect the Apalachicola National Forest during Wakulla County’s kickoff of the Keep America Beautiful Greatest American Cleanup, hosted locally by Keep Wakulla County Beautiful in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service.
The event also highlighted the organization’s Leaders Against Litter initiative, which encourages community leaders to set an example by participating in litter prevention efforts. Earlier this month, the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing both the Greatest American Cleanup and the Leaders Against Litter initiative, reinforcing the county’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Greatest American Cleanup (GAC250) is Keep America Beautiful’s nationwide effort to cleanup and beautify America’s parks, public spaces, and waterways by July 4, 2026, making America look its best for our nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
During the cleanup event hosted at Hudson Park in Crawfordville, volunteers filled two full dumpsters of illegally dumped debris from the forest.
Among the items collected were way too many tires, mattresses, photos, construction debris, broken concrete believed to have come from a driveway or sidewalk, a refrigerator, a camper, and a freezer that had clearly been sitting in the woods for quite some time.
“The freezer was still full of chicken,” said organizers. “Let’s just say the smell made it very clear it had been there a while.”
Volunteers also encountered an unusually high number of deer carcasses left behind in the forest, raising concerns about environmental impacts and proper disposal practices.
Participants included local residents, ROTC students, and U.S. Forest Service staff, all working together to restore the forest.
Community leaders also stepped forward to lead by example. Wakulla County Clerk of Court Greg James and County Administrator David Edwards joined volunteers in the field and helped collect trash from the forest.
“This is exactly what Leaders Against Litter is about,” said organizers. “When community leaders show up and get their hands dirty, it sends a strong message that protecting our environment matters.”
The cleanup also highlighted a troubling trend organizers have observed. “I have never seen so many tires removed from the forest during one cleanup,” organizers said. “What’s frustrating is that we’ve secured grant funding for the past four years to offer a Tire Amnesty program, allowing residents to dispose of tires for free and legally. Why risk the penalties for illegal dumping on Federal land?”
Despite these efforts, illegal dumping continues to occur in remote areas of the forest. KWCB would like to remind residents that illegal dumping is not only harmful to wildlife and water quality but also illegal. If offenders are identified, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers can issue citations and fines.
At the same time, another large cleanup effort was taking place nearby. The Florida Dog Hunters Association organized a simultaneous cleanup effort in the Apalachicola National Forest, removing multiple dumpsters of trash and tires from areas in north Wakulla and Leon County, showing the power of community collaboration.
Volunteers participating in the cleanup were also invited to sign a pledge committing to do their part to keep Wakulla County’s environment litter-free.
“The Apalachicola National Forest is one of our region’s most important natural resources,” organizers said. “Keeping it clean protects wildlife, preserves water quality, and ensures future generations can continue to enjoy its beauty.”