Celebrating Environmental Stewardship in Laurens: Courtney Stonell Receives Prestigious Award and Community Initiatives Flourish

Exciting News for Laurens: Celebrating Environmental Stewardship!

Good day, Laurens! As December unfolds, we’re shifting gears from the winter chill to some heartwarming news about community commitment. The sun may just be peeping out from behind the clouds, but the real *light* comes from the incredible work happening in our community. And on a day when temperatures are set to reach a comfortable 57°F with a refreshing breeze from the west, it’s the perfect time to dive into some highlights from our locals who are dedicated to keeping our environment beautiful.

Honor at the SCRWA Conference

This past week, at the South Carolina Rural Water Association’s (SCRWA) annual conference, our very own Courtney Stonell was caught entirely off guard when she was named the winner of the Source Water Steward of the Year award! It’s a huge honor, especially since she was nominated by the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission (LCWSC). Can you imagine her surprise? “I didn’t have a clue until they got to the second slide that it was me they were talking about,” Courtney said with a laugh. Clearly, this recognition is a testament to her hard work and passion for our waterways.

A Vision for Clean Waterways

Courtney has been the Keep Laurens County Beautiful coordinator for three years, and what a journey it has been! She shared, “I’ve been building this program and growing the position ever since.” Her stand-out initiative? The campaign against litter. In 2022, she rolled out an Anti-Litter initiative that not only fights pollution but also promotes public awareness through stunning art. The murals created in Gray Court, Clinton, and Laurens deliver a strong message: “Drains lead to streams, and streams lead to drinking water.” It’s eye-catching art with an important message!

Adopt A Stream Program

But that’s not all! In her quest for cleaner waterways, Courtney also established the Adopt a Stream program in partnership with the Joe R. Adair Outdoor Education Center. This allows volunteers to test the quality of local waters and take action when something’s not right. “Once you’re a certified volunteer, you can borrow testing kits to check on things like bacteria and other pollutants,” she explained. What a remarkable way to keep our water safe for everyone!

Upcoming Environmental Sculpture Unveiling

The community excitement doesn’t stop there! On December 6th, from 10 a.m. to noon, all eyes will be on the unveiling of a PalmettoPride environmental sculpture at the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Loop Trail. This sculpture aims to further the message of environmental responsibility, symbolizing the fight against litter. “It will be a deer constructed from plastic and litter,” Courtney shared. “It’s not just about beauty, but education too!”

A Call to Action

As winter settles in and we witness those temperatures dip down to a brisk 23°F at night, it’s a time for us all to reflect on our role in keeping Laurens clean and beautiful. The reality is, it takes all of us working together – it’s an all-hands-on-deck approach. Whether you’re joining in a local cleanup or participating in one of Courtney’s programs, every small action counts!

So, if you’re donning your warm mittens this winter, don’t forget to step outside and enjoy the beautiful clean spaces right in our neighborhood. With leaders like Courtney and partners like the LCWSC working hand in hand, Laurens is on a great path to sustaining and keeping our environment beautiful. Cheers to all the wonderful things happening in our hometown!