The Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission (KOCBC) is dedicated to encouraging environmental stewardship and citizen awareness of environmental issues. KOCBC is asking the citizens, businesses, community and civic leaders of Oconee County to join their efforts by participating in the “GREAT OCONEE CLEANUP,” a part of Keep America Beautiful's “Great American Cleanup” (the nation's largest community improvement program involving an estimated 3 million volunteers and attendees annually).

KOCBC participates each year in the Great American Cleanup by holding a local Cleanup Day. This year, the KOCBC is inviting the citizens of Oconee to think bigger and better. This year, the KOCBC has spearheaded the “GREAT OCONEE CLEANUP,” during April and May, encouraging Oconee citizens to get together with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, civic organizations, etc. to clean up Oconee County until it shines.

In April, Oconee citizens worked individually and in groups to clean litter from roads, parks & creeks around Oconee County. More than 30 bags of trash and recyclables have been gathered and disposed of properly.

The Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission urges everyone to participate in the GREAT OCONEE CLEANUP throughout May and beyond. We hope citizens will continue to organize their own cleanup/beautification events so as to keep Oconee County, as reported in The Progressive Farmer magazine, one of the most desirable places in our nation. Recommended activities include picking up litter in your neighborhood, beautifying parks and recreation areas, cleaning waterways, recycling materials, or planting trees and flowers.

On Saturday, May 14, KOCBC will hold its second major Cleanup Day starting at 9 am. In order to participate, you can schedule your own event or you can meet up with KOCBC members at Harris Shoals Park to get a cleanup assignment for either an Oconee County road or riverbank.

On May 14, as part of the “Rivers Alive” waterway cleanup, one group will pick up debris along the banks of the Apalachee River just off Highway 78. Other annual cleanup efforts in Oconee County include Bogart’s Dumpster Days and Watkinsville’s Democrats vs. Republicans cleanup challenge.

For more information, or to report your cleanup efforts or sign up for a cleanup project, please contact Angela Helwig at 706-769-5120 or e-mail to ahelwig@oconee.ga.us.