The
Bluffton Blufft n Sun April 1, 2025 • Volume 28, Issue 7 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
New Bluffton law to protect wetlands 4A
May River cleanup to feature new adopt-a-stream program By Gwyneth J. Saunders Contributor
The May River flows through the heart of Bluffton, and has played an integral role in the town’s history and development. One of the ways the town maintains the health and beauty of the river is through its two annual cleanup events. Since 2000, Bluffton has held an annual spring sweep, and since 2008 has participated in the state-wide South Carolina Beach and River Cleanup program that is held in the fall. Nicole Wright, the stormwater technician in Bluffton’s Watershed Management Division who oversees the program, said this spring’s cleanup will feature something special. “For the first time at the event, South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream will also hold a mini-Tidal Saltwater Workshop where volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about the program and how they can help monitor local waterbodies and preserve water quality,” she said. “Beaufort County and Bluffton have large expanses of salt marsh, tidal rivers and deep channels that provide for a high level of biodiversity, allowing wildlife such as oysters, dolphins, and cobia, to flourish.” The new workshop will be in addition to the many other educational displays that will be on hand during and after the cleanup. Coastal Kingdom, a local nature show, is once again partnering with the town and M. C. Riley Elementary to host the School Participation Challenge. Students that participate in the May River Cleanup will be given an animal presentation at the end of the school year. “Spring is always a bigger event because we partner with the schools, and it’s fun to watch the kids interact and learn,” said Wright. “We’re hoping for some really good weather.”
Beaufort Memorial gives $17.5k to Beaufort County high schools 32A
RBC Heritage Schedules & Policies 68A
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN OF BLUFFTON
Volunteers of all ages participated in Bluffton’s annual South Carolina Beach and river sweep in September.
This past September’s beach sweep resulted in a waste collection total of 1,719 pounds picked up by 200 volunteers of all ages. A year earlier, the collection resulted in nearly 600 pounds, but the difference is not because there was more to pickup but the number and kinds of volunteers who showed up. “We’re really lucky. Since we’ve partnered with the Bluffton Paddle Club, they’ve been really active, and I think
CLEANUP CONT. ON PAGE 3A
Brooks Cobb: Renaissance man
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