Sumter National Forest 2019

The Burrell’s Ford area within the Sumter National Forest is a very popular area that draws visitors from a two-hour radius, including one of the country’s fastest growing cities (Greenville, SC) and one of its largest (Atlanta, GA).  The primary draws include the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area and the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, both accessed from Burrell’s Ford.  Visitors come for a variety of recreational opportunities like hiking, frontcountry and backcountry camping, fishing, rafting, and many others.  However, the significance and meaning of the Wilderness and Wild & Scenic designations are lost on the large majority of the region’s anglers, campers, hikers, and paddlers. This lack of understanding is one of the greatest concerns for the Sumter’s Andrew Pickens Ranger District, and nearly all physical impacts tie back to that lack of recognition.

Solution

• 298 Volunteer Hours
• 200 People Educated
• 2,200 Pounds of Trash Removed

Leave No Trace partnered with Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest and many other key stakeholders to implement a week of Leave No Trace training and outreach that will help the Burrell’s Ford recreation access area along the road to recovery. During the week, the Leave No Trace team met with area stakeholders for strategic planning and unifying stewardship efforts.  The Hot Spot efforts joined in with the Chattooga Conservancy’s annual River Sweep event which resulted in 2,200 pounds of trash being removed.   In addition to those programs and events, the Traveling Trainers hosted a communication workshop for land management staff and stakeholder representatives.