We Adopted an Island!
Lake Martin is a treasured destination for many residents and visitors alike. With over 44,000 acres of crystal clear water and 750 miles of shoreline, Lake Martin is a recreational playground for boating, fishing, swimming, and all things water- related. However, with the immense popularity of the lake, comes the challenge of preserving its beauty and natural resources for future generations. This is where the Treasured Mile Adopt an Island program comes in.
The Treasured Mile Adopt an Island program is a community-driven initiative that was started in 2015 by Lake Martin Resource Association to help maintain the beauty of Lake Martin. The program invites individuals, families, and organizations to “adopt” one of the 26 Alabama Power available islands and take on the responsibility of maintaining it. The program aims to encourage stewardship of the lake’s natural resources, increase awareness of the impact of human activities on the lake, and promote community involvement and collaboration of all ages.
The program is simple but effective. Participants are assigned an island and commit to visiting it regularly to pick up litter, remove debris, and maintain its natural state. In exchange for their efforts, participants receive recognition on the Treasured Mile Adopt an Island website and a sign bearing their name and the name of the island they have adopted.
After 3 years on the waiting list, The Lake Martin Boaters Community was assigned the largest of all the adoptable islands, Goat Island. Goat Island is an approximately 70 acre island near the Martin Dam. According to a representative from the Alabama Power Company, “Goat Island is the largest island on Lake Martin owned by Alabama Power Company and is available for use by the general public. Approved activities include hiking and primitive camping up to 3 days. Unapproved activities include campfires, hunting, and building permanent structures.” There would seem to be no better place to make use of our nearly 30k members than to help preserve the pristine shores of this landmark. We ask those who utilize the many sandy beaches of Goat Island to take their trash with them and to leave the shores better than you found them. For those who want to help, we invite everyone to visit Goat Island on a regular basis and help clean up any debris that has washed ashore or been left behind.
One of the most significant benefits of the Treasured Mile Adopt an Island program is the sense of community it fosters. The members of Lake Martin Boaters become part of something larger, a community of boaters who care deeply about Lake Martin’s natural resources and are committed to preserving them for future generations.
Retired Lake Martin Resource Association President John Thompson adds, “LMRA is excited to welcome Lake Martin Boaters (LMB) to the LMRA Treasured Mile program. Under the very capable leadership of Ms. Jamie Burnett, LMB shares the same positive objectives that LMRA has in working for for the “betterment” of the Lake Martin community with a focus on boating safety and a clean litter free environment. Both LMB and LMRA are committed to protecting Lake Martin for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Lake Martin Boaters would love to begin a new tradition and invite members to share their experiences and knowledge with others, spreading the message of environmental responsibility when boating and encouraging others to take action to protect the lake and our shorelines. We encourage all who help maintain Goat Island to share their clean up images to our Facebook community. As Lake Martin continues to grow in popularity, initiatives like this are essential to preserving the lake’s beauty and natural resources for future generations.
One of the most significant benefits of the Treasured Mile Adopt an Island program is the sense of community it fosters. The members of Lake Martin Boaters become part of something larger, a community of boaters who care deeply about Lake Martin’s natural resources and are committed to preserving them for future generations.
We would love to begin a new tradition and invite members to share their experiences and knowledge with others, spreading the message of environmental responsibility when boating and encouraging others to take action to protect the lake and our shorelines. As Lake Martin continues to grow in popularity, initiatives like this are essential to preserving the lake’s beauty and natural resources for future generations.
You can read more about Lake Martin’s Treasure Mile program on the Lake Martin Resource Association’s Website. You can find Goat Island on the interactive map below!
Extremely well written Jamie. It is such a joy to have Lake Martin Boaters become part of the Treasured Mile Adopt an Island program.
Thanks
John
So exciting!! As always my family will continue to help keep Goat Island cleaned up!!!!!
How about we put the goats back?
Alabama Power owns the island so that is up to them to decide, we are only helping keep the island clean as a community.