SHORELINES

17 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2015 Vol :1 throughout the week to pick up trash and litter. "Last year, we were overwhelmed with the number of volunteers who showed up the first Saturday and continued to come back to clean throughout the week," said Linda Ruethemann, president of LMLPA. "They would ask, 'Where can I get more bags?' and remained involved until the final cleanup day." In addition to bringing the community together, LMLPA seizes the opportunity to teach school groups and organizations about environmental education through Renew Our Rivers. In the weeks leading up to the cleanup, LMLPA volunteers visit classrooms in local schools to educate students about conservation and stewardship. After one of these visits, Shirley Skeivelas, a teacher at Eden Elementary School, jumpstarted the cleanup week by leading 28 third- and fourth-grade students on a field trip to pick up trash. "Our students have taken nature class for several years," Skeivelas said. "They have learned to become more aware of what we need to do to keep our environment viable. By engaging the students in the cleanup, we are getting them on the right path to become more conscious of our lake and what they can do to keep it clean." Skeivelas explained that the students are more mindful of the amount of litter by living so close to Top: Photo by nik layman — Alabama Power Renew Our Rivers team members Mike Clelland, Patrick Graham and Brian Scivley lead volunteers at the Logan Martin cleanup. Above: Photo by nik layman — Dr. Charles Alexander with a truckload of trash removed from Logan Martin.

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