Volunteers sought for annual Tuck River Cleanup on April 18
甜瓜视频app will hold its annual Tuck River Cleanup between Cullowhee and Whittier from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.
The community event on the Jackson County portion of the Tuckaseigee River is considered to be the nation鈥檚 largest single-day effort to remove garbage from a waterway. Hundreds of volunteers will spend the day collecting litter, debris and discarded items. The scenic waterway is recognized as an outdoor recreation destination with fishing, canoe and raft trips, and family-oriented activities available.
A happy crew following a successful day of clean-up last year.
鈥淭he recent rains and resulting high water have washed up a lot of trash,鈥� said Kay Tufts, assistant director with WCU鈥檚 Base Camp Cullowhee and event organizer. 鈥淒ebris has flowed downstream and some of it got lodged along the river banks, piled up on islands, rocks and trees. So, we should have plenty to clean up this year.
鈥淚t also serves as a good reminder to be a good neighbor. We鈥檒l all live downstream from somebody,鈥� Tufts said.
In addition to WCU students, faculty and staff, community and civic groups are invited to participate.
Anyone wanting to volunteer should register at a sign-in station by the WCU Alumni Tower on the morning of the event, with the first 500 registrants receiving a free T-shirt upon completion of activities.
Rafting participants will be assigned to a raft and provided with a paddle, personal flotation device, trash bags and transportation to and from the river. Those participants should wear shoes that won鈥檛 come off in the water (tennis shoes are best, no flip-flops or shower sandals) and are encouraged to eat before registering. There are alternative walking routes for anyone preferring not to raft.
Event schedule:
- 8 to 9 a.m. and 12 to 1 p.m. 鈥� Rafting registration
- 10 to 11 a.m. 鈥� Walking route registration
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 鈥� Transportation to the river
- 2 to 5 p.m. 鈥� Transportation from the river
- 2 to 6 p.m. 鈥� Free food and entertainment, drawings for prizes donated by local businesses
Cleanup Rules:
- Don鈥檛 pick up syringes, broken glass, large metal objects, animal carcasses or weapons
- Don鈥檛 place items weighing more than 50 lbs. into a raft
- Base Camp Cullowhee programs and events are alcohol and drug free
- Inclement weather means stop picking up trash, rafters must paddle immediately to designated take out
Major sponsors include Campus Recreation and Wellness, Harrah鈥檚 Cherokee Casino Resort, Jackson County Tourism Development Authority, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Republic Services, The Sylva Herald, Wildwater Ltd., Duke Energy and Emma Busline.
For more information about the Tuck River Cleanup, contact Tufts at kjtufts@wcu.edu or 828-227-8804.
