THE SHOALS-There’s going to be a lot of trash talk along the Tennessee River this spring.
Illinois-based Living Lands and Water will head down the river in April for a 22-day journey to collect trash and promote conservation of the waterway. The non-profit organization will use a four-barge floating classroom and several smaller boats as it makes its way from Knoxville, Tenn., to Paducah, Ky., making several stops along the way, including the Muscle Shoals/Florence area.
A community-wide river cleanup for the Shoals is May 9. A series of educational
Living Lands and Water floating classroom that will make its way down the Tennessee River this spring
programs for students and adults will follow over the next three days. Volunteers are needed for the cleanup. Janna Whitley, director of the Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce, is helping coordinate the activities in the Shoals.
The upcoming journey will be Living Lands and Water’s first trip down the Tennessee River. The non-profit organization, which was created in 1997, has removed more than 7.5 million pounds of debris from America’s waterways. It, along with almost 70,000 volunteers, has helped clean 23 rivers in 20 states.
“We’re looking forward to visiting the communities along the Tennessee River,” said Tammy Becker, programs manager for Living Lands and Waters. “We will be collecting debris at our cleanups along the way and storing it on our barge. As the pile of garbage grows, it will make a statement about how the Tennessee River and all of our rivers need more attention.”
During an open house event May 10, area residents can tour the organization’s barge and learn about its environmental protection efforts.
Tennessee Valley Authority is helping pay for the six-city tour of the river. Jim Hopson, public relations manager for TVA said the event will help showcase the federal utility’s work to protect the river and encourage Valley residents to take an active role in that effort.
More details about the Tennessee River tour and opportunities for participating in the activities is available online at livinglandsandwaters.org.
