Our History
The Hidden Jewel
Rabun County is a hidden jewel in the northeast corner of Georgia situated in the lower Blue Ridge Mountains. For as many years as we can remember, friends and neighbors have walked and hiked the area carrying small sacks to pick up any litter found on the side of the roads or along the hiking trails. Chris Reeves McCracken and Sherryl Major walked miles and can tell tales of what and where they found “uncivilized” trash. It remains a mystery to so many of us as to why anyone would leave trash behind when it takes just a few moments to carry out what you bring in.
As Rabun County has become more fast-paced, with many people coming to visit and to stay, it has become harder and harder to stay on top of the growing problem of roadside litter, and littering along the many hiking trails. It took the vision of Joan Hurley, Glenn Whitehouse, Irene Bynum, Ann Inman, Debbie Martin and others to look ahead and believe that becoming part of a larger movement would benefit Rabun County. Keep Rabun Beautiful came under the umbrella of the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce; and then were able to become a part of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, and Keep American Beautiful in August 2019. As a part of a larger group dedicated to our same principals, they have become a constant source of ideas and inspiration as we connect with groups all over the country. Through Keep America Beautiful we have applied for, and received grants for grappling with cigarette butt litter, and training for law enforcement in litter law enforcement.
Prior to Keep Rabun Beautiful sponsoring county wide litter pickups, both the Lake Burton Civic Association and the Lake Rabun Civic Association have had annual lake clean ups for many years. Persimmon Valley, Sky Valley and Mountain City all sponsor annual clean ups as well.
As Keep Rabun became organized Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Clayton United Methodist Church, Chattooga Conservancy, Black Bear Creek Antiques, Walmart, Home Depot, Check-Fil-A, Reeves Ace Hardware, Georgia Power employees, The Clayton Tribune and many other county wide businesses all joined forces for annual and semi-annual clean ups.
The Rabun County Sherriff’s Department, the Cities of Tallulah Falls, Clayton, Mountain City, Dillard, and Sky Valley Police forces joined in to keep our pickup crews safe in high traffic areas. They provided warning signs for traffic, loaned us safety bibs, and encouraged us along the way.
As an organization, Keep Rabun Beautiful can now share safety bibs and pickers with anyone who would like to pick up litter. We also, through Keep America Beautiful can offer trash bags to anyone who wants to participate. Please, help us, help you Keep Rabun Beautiful!
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