On Sunday, November 23, 2025, STARD held its first Beach Clean Up as part of its Dune Restoration Initiative from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a cultural art exhibition from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
The event celebrated both environmental stewardship and the Gullah Geechee heritage of the South Carolina coast. The clean up began at the Atlantic Beach dunes near the 32nd Avenue access point. STARD’s goal is to raise awareness of the lasting environmental and cultural effects of coastal overdevelopment.
Increased condominium, hotel, and other high-density construction along the Atlantic Ocean’s coastline have wiped out much of the Gullah Geechee identity of historic coastal communities. Through community engagement activities like this clean up and its Sea Oats planting planned for March 2026, STARD is working to ensure that Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, maintains its historical significance and cultural heritage.
“Atlantic Beach stands as a reminder of what can be preserved when communities take action,” said Elaine Finney, STARD Communications Director. “We’re building on the legacy of protections like the Tyson deed restrictions of the 1930s to ensure the town’s independence as a full-fledged municipality and residential oceanfront heritage endures.”
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