GUIDEPOSTS
Paddling with a Purpose: Alge Island Cleanup
Lowcountry Land Trust, Keep Charleston Beautiful, Evans Contractors, and The Coastal Expeditions Foundation’s Coastal Warriors
On the morning of April 18th, 2025, the Coastal Warriors team geared up 2 trucks and a trailer of 14 kayaks and began their journey to West Ashley for a kayak cleanup. Hosted by Lowcountry Land Trust in partnership with Keep Charleston Beautiful, Evans General Contractors, and The Coastal Expedition’s Foundation’s Coastal Warriors, the kayak cleanup was more than just a scenic paddle – it was a powerful display of community working together with purpose.
Over 40 participants spent the morning paddling the serene waterway around Alge Island with litter grabbers, trash bags, and gloves – picking up any litter that has been pushed into the creek. By the end of the cleanup, volunteers filled over 10 trash bags with debris, helping protect the delicate creek off of the historic Stono River.
This island, saved from development in 1986 thanks to the grassroots efforts of Mr. Bill Alge and his neighbors continue to be a symbol of what’s possible when community members unite for a cause. This collaborative kayak cleanup not only honored that legacy – it carried it forward.
Events like these remind us that conservation starts with connection – to nature and each other. Thank you to everyone who joined us on the water and all of the organizations that spearheaded this project!
Photo credits: John Jamison with Evans General Contractors
Want to participate in an upcoming volunteer event? We’d love to have you!
