Volunteers make sure MarshWalk continues thriving, environmentally & economically

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. (WPDE) — Judging by the amount of leftover beer cans and trash, plenty of people seemed to enjoy their holiday weekend partying on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk.

On Monday, some spent their morning holiday picking it all up.

Murrells Inlet 2020 held their annual community cleanup following the 4th of July festivities, with dozens pitching in to help.

“This is a perfect way to kind of...have our community members come together, see what we do, but then also make their place where they live better," Meredith Harrison, the executive director for Murrells Inlet 2020 said.

Harrison said beyond just making sure the MarshWalk stays easy on the eyes, these events make sure a local economic hub continues to thrive.

“Murrells Inlet’s very blessed to have the local estuary here where we have the best oysters around, we have great fishing, so it’s very important to our economy and our local businesses to keep it clean," she said.

Adele Short was among Monday morning's volunteers. The Lakewood Elementary teacher came out to help because she knows how vital the ecosystem is to Murrells Inlet.

“This environment, everything that happens (on the MarshWalk ) affects that saltwater estuary...which is like a breeding ground for what happens out there in the ocean," she said.

Having lived in the area for more than 40 years, Short wants to make sure future generations can enjoy the MarshWalk the way she has.

“If we ruin that we’re ruined," she said. "Not just the tourism piece, but what happens for the kids that come after us, the people that come after me. It's a posterity’s sake kind of thing.”

So, even if you weren't out there, you can still take the spirit of these volunteers with you going forward. 

“Pick up after yourself and don’t say 'that’s not mine, I didn’t do that,'" Short said. "If someone else has done it, it’s okay, take care of it. Just do a little bit extra when you can.”

For more information on Murrells Inlet 2020 and its upcoming events, click here.

Read complete article originally published at https://wpde.com/news/local/volunteers-make-sure-marshwalk-continues-thriving-environmentally-and-economically