The island houses rare species of zebra, several species of birds, Hawaiian geese and antelope. Unfortunately, the shores of this island paradise are lined with trash. Clean Coast, a nonprofit organization based in Savannah, was founded by Larry Shaffield in 1987 to combat pollution of Georgia's coastal waters. The group goes out one Saturday a month. There are 150 members in the organization and the number is growing.
Members come from all over the state to participate in the monthly cleanups.
John Train of Macon doesn't mind the 160-mile ride to Savannah. He has been a member since 1997. Most times the group will collect more than 1000 pounds of trash in one trip. Members frequently will find beer cans, plates, plastic bags, plastic containers, rubber tires and, sometimes, grills and lounge chairs. Often, debris gets buried deep in the sand as the tides wash in and out.