This statement was prior to March 29 2017 . we have left lake Lanier. Please visit our Castleberry Bridge Page,
Hello,
My name is George Ferris and for many years I have been cleaning up several areas on Lake Lanier in Georgia. These areas I have adopted are all owned by the Army Corps Of Engineers and one is leased by Forsyth County. It took me years to clean up some of these areas carrying out about a ton of discarded garbage each year.
I started out by walking these areas for exercise and was amazed by the amount of bottles, cans, paper, diapers, fishing line, dock flotation's,you name it, on the shoreline and the adjacent land. It was such a eye sore on such a beautiful lake I had to do something about it..
I started making piles at certain locations along my walks. About a year went by and the Piles were getting so large I decided to remove them.
I located the Army Corps office and went down and signed up as a volunteer and explained what areas on the lake I was interested in adopting. I asked if they would pick up my bags if I carried them out to the gate restricting anyone from entering other than on foot or by boat.
I went to the store and bought a few boxes of 3ply 55gal heavy duty construction "BLACK" bags. ( If you see our large black bags tided to a tree,next to the shore line, you know I have been there making an effort to clean up. ( Over the Years I have removed approximately thirteen tons of trash as of December of 2015. Yes, you read that correctly " THIRTEEN TONS". I'm happy to report that over the years the amount of garbage that I carry out each year has diminished.) The very next day I carried out my first bag. Every day I would fill and carry out one bag to the pickup point. Also, that same day I would add anything that washed up on shore or someone left behind to the piles. (NOTE: you may find my bags full of garbage that have not been removed at areas that I can't get to when the water level is high. In the future hopefully Adopt A Shoreline will have a boat and will be able to retrieve these bags no mater what the water level is.
Some of these areas were frequently visited by fisherman. At first I said nothing even though they were leaving trash. As the years went by and my cleanup progressed I started hanging bags where the fisherman hung out. I never said anything except hello how are the fish biting today. I figured that If I got mad or told them what to do" pick up your garbage" I would be forcing them into something and they would either rebel or not come back. I didn't want them to leave I wanted them to become part of what I was doing.
After the first year I began to get to know most of them and they became a help to my effort.
Since I started 8 years ago everyone who frequently visits my adopted places have joined in. Everyone chips in and now they really appreciate coming to area to swim, fish and walk, free of litter.
Thanks for visiting!! Become part of our environmental community by picking up "one" piece of trash and telling "one" person about us. That's all it takes for "YOU" to make a difference! Wishing you, your family and friends a great year ! George Ferris 
