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Join the longest-running Tennessee River cleanup effort

The 36th annual Tennessee River Rescue is slated for Sunday, Oct. 5 with a focus this year on cleaning Lookout and Black Creeks.

NOOGAtoday | River Rescue

Volunteers will remove large items like refrigerators and car parts to smaller items like cigarette butts.

Photo provided by Reflection Riding

Did you know that over 30 years ago a group of local environmentalists started a grassroots movement to clean trash lining the Tennessee River Watershed Basin?

Hundreds of volunteers join the Tennessee River Rescue each year to help remove debris in our region. Last year alone, volunteers removed 10 tons of trash, 130 tires, and around 800 pounds of bulk items from the river.

The longest-running cleanup effort of the Tennessee River returns this year on Saturday, Oct. 5 in partnership with Reflection Riding, WaterWays + Tennessee American Water. The cleanup will be focused on clearing Lookout and Black creeks on Reflection Riding’s campus.

Volunteers will sign up to participate, and can either remove trash and litter by boat or on foot. Reflection Riding has a limited number of kayaks available, so folks are encouraged to bring their own kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards.

If you’re opting to stay on land, you’ll be directed to designated cleanup areas along stream banks + seasonal watersheds — Black Creek will be by foot only.

After the cleanup, volunteers can gather at Reflection Riding’s Welcome Center to enjoy burgers provided by Roamstead — who recently purchased the neighboring 20-acre tract of land along Lookout Creek.

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