BEAR ISLAND - ADOPTED BY MEL COKER
ADOPT-A-WATERWAY PROGRAM - KEEP THE MIDLANDS BEAUTIFUL


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Bear Island

I live on beautiful Lake Murray, have enjoyed the lake since childhood (many years ago) and sell real estate on and around the lake. When a friend of mine started working with the KEEP THE MIDLANDS BEAUTIFUL organziation, I took a quick look at their website. I read about their important work and found the Adopt-a-Waterway program to be very interesting. Then I found a nearby Lake Murray island, Bear Island, that was "unadopted."

So, I did my civic-minded duty and decided to get involved. I did THREE things: I submitted an application and was approved to adopt BEAR ISLAND to work to keep this beautiful place clean. I've agreed to do two clean-ups per year over a two year period. The island is located in the Bear Creek/Stinking Creek area of Lake Murray near Chapin, SC. Then, I joined the Keep the Midlands Beautiful organization to financially support their work in the Greater Columbia area. Finally, I created this webpage to give publicity to Keep the Midlands Beautiful.

Bear Island is a beautiful island. I've done a good bit of research on this beautiful island. It is 16 acres in size and rises from 360 feet elevation to a maximum elevation of 403.7 feet above sea level in just 260 feet distance (the shortest route). That's an elevation grade of about 16.8% - fairly steep. The island was likely named by Ed Fetner - Lake Murray's first cartographer.

And, there are other beautiful islands on Lake Murray. Free camping is available on most of the islands. But, it is really disappointing to find so much trash left behind on the islands and shoreline by inconsiderate jerks. When you visit or camp on an island at Lake Murray, be sure to remove all of your trash and even consider picking up the litter left by the jerks of the world.

Bear Island in Lake Murray, SC
Bear Island - Adopted by Mel Coker
Adopt-a-Waterway - Keep the Midlands Beautiful
CLICK for larger image size

What can you do?

  • Don't litter! Pick up litter when you see it.
  • Volunteer to clean up litter during organized events
  • Visit the KEEP THE MIDLANDS BEAUTIFUL website to read and learn
  • Become a member of KEEP THE MIDLANDS BEAUTIFUL to provide at least financial support (only $25 per year)

    You may be surprised to learn that pedestrians and motorists account for less than half of all litter - the top five sources account for between 50-80% of all litter!
    Seven primary sources of litter: 1.) Households due to improper handling of trash and it's placement on the curb for collection, 2.) Dumpsters used by businesses, 3.) Loading docks, 4.) Construction and demolition sites, 5.) Trucks with unsecured loads, 6.) Pedestrians, 7.) Motorists

    click to visit Keep the Midlands Beautiful

    CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE SIZE

    Thanksgiving Day 2016 Island Cleanup by Barbara & Mel Coker

    More Lake Murray Information:

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    Bear Island | Adopt-a-Waterway | Keep the Midlands Beautiful | Keep Lake Murray Clean!