It's a dirty job, ...but some folks did it
Volunteers clean up Gills Creek Watershed
By John Dixon

Mark Cotterill is up to his knees in muck.

The Gills Creek Watershed is one of the most impaired waterways in the state and it runs right through Columbia. The Adopt- A- Waterway project is an all- out effort to rehabilitate the Gills Creek Watershed.

On October 4, four groups, Forest Lake Presbyterian, Grimball Cotterill & Associates, Upper Rockyford Lake Homeowners Association, and Healthy Steps, cleaned up the watershed in one large sweep. Each group adopted a section of the waterway in order to assist with this major ecological project.

Members of Forest Lake Presbyterian cleaned up the shoreline of Gill's Creek near the Forest Lake Shopping Center. The folks from Grimball Cotterill & Associates were in charge of the area behind Trenholm Plaza and the area of shoreline near Gregg Park. Members of Upper Rockyford Lake Homeowners Association cleaned the shores of Upper Rockyford Lake and the area of Percival Lake. Healthy Steps folks worked on the south end of Garner's Ferry near the empty Taco Bell. These groups have agreed to do three pickups a year over a two- year period at these locations.

Madison Cotterill finds a box turtle.

Two groups of volunteers working in Forest Acres included Mark Cotterill, who was up to his knees in muck and trash behind Trenholm Plaza stuffing bottles into bags and trying to make a difference. Cotterill lamented, "We have some wonderful creeks back here, and I wish people knew about them and wouldn't pollute."

Cotterill's daughter Madison gleefully showed off a healthy box turtle she found during the cleanup and said she would return to help again. Anna Jones, a student at A.C. Flora High School, noted that being part of the cleanup effort made her feel more a part of Forest Acres.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Forest Drive, Lee Pippen and her squad of volunteers from Forest Lake Presbyterian Church were hard at work sprucing up the area of the creek behind Forest Lake Shopping Center.

For many, this was a family affair. Mark Lowery and his daughter Sarah came out to help. When asked why she was there, five- year- old Sarah cheerfully chirped "We are cleaning for Jesus." Adults in hip waders and children in rubber boots combed the creek and the shoreline for worthless trash and recyclables.

Anna Jones pitches in.

Lee Pippen became involved in this effort as part of the church's environmental stewardship group, because she feels it's important to teach our children to care for God's earth.

Pastor Eric Skidmore echoed the sentiment saying, "It's very important for all of us to take care of this earth God gave us." Everyone, although tired and dirty, was quite pleased with the trailer load of garbage removed from the creek. They even gave an award for the best find of the day.

Dale Hamrick, who found a Toyota hubcap, happily accepted the green shopping bag prize. He even maintained his good sense of humor when someone in the crowd asked if he was going to return to search for the rest of the car later.

Volunteerism is alive and well in the city of Forest Acres. For more information on The Adopt- A- Waterway project or to volunteer, visit www.keepthemidlandsbeautiful. org or call Heidi Johnson at (803) 733-1139.

Dale Hamrick receives his prize. Will O'Bradovich, Rachel Skidmore (behind him), Lainey Hutchinson, Elizabeth Lowery, Sarah Lowery, and Anna Horton help clean up the Gills Creek Watershed.