Bryan County 4-H won the 2017 Keep Georgia Beautiful State Award for its living shoreline project at the Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island.

The project was created to prevent the deterioration of creek beds surrounding the 4-H center. Bryan County 4-H’ers helped sustain a creek bed by recruiting an army of bivalves to ensure the future of the organization’s coastal environmental education center.

Trish West, Bryan County Extension 4-H agent, said the project put in six truckloads of oyster shells along 500 feet of marsh front.

The 4-H’ers attended workshops through UGA’s Marine Extension, bagged oyster shells and replanted native plants to prevent the erosion of Horsepen Creek, she said.

"By improving the creek beds with natural oyster reefs, quality of water improves, oysters are encouraged to thrive and reproduce and the beauty of our coastal waterways are enhanced by creating natural habitats for native species of plants and animals," West said.