The event will take place on October 5th, 2024, from 9 am - 1 pm EST (times may differ by site)
Frequently Asked Questions
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We are asking that participants register this year. We also suggest getting in touch with the leader for the zone you are planning to volunteer at beforehand, but walk-ups are happily accepted.
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Yes! Zone leaders will have volunteer forms available and can sign off on hours. The clean-up lasts from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. but some zones finish up earlier or continue until later. We suggest getting in touch with the leader for the zone you are planning to volunteer at to get an idea of how long help will be needed.
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Short answer: No. We highly recommend you bring your own water and snacks. Certain zones may provide some refreshments, snacks, or even breakfast, but this is up to the organizers and is not guaranteed.
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Short answer: No. Please get in contact with your zone coordinator to see if carpooling might be possible.
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Wear clothes you do not mind getting wet/dirty. We suggest wearing closed toed water shoes or closed toed shoes you do not mind getting wet/dirty along with long pants depending on your zone.
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER HERE
After reading through the site descriptions below, please click the button below to register for the event. Please register for your party, including any minors. Take special care to ensure the selected site can accommodate your party’s age range and accessibility needs.
Please note specific site details and contact information.
Note: Some boating sites require you to bring your own. Please contact a site leader to confirm whether or not boats will be provided.
Site locations and info are subject to change. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to the event!
Site Descriptions
Below we have listed the active sites for the 2023 year. Some information is subject to change. Please read through your intended volunteer sites description carefully. We ask that every volunteer registers, and we encourage participants to contact their site leader for additional information.
Hamilton County, TN Sites
Booker T State Park - City of Chattanooga, TN
Zone Leader - Daniel Basham
Contact Info - Daniel.basham@tn.gov 423-322-5160
Site Information -The Ranger staff at Booker T. State Park manages the Booker T. Site. Booker T. Washington State Park is named in honor of the famous leader, Booker Taliaferro Washington. Born into slavery and freed by the age of nine, Washington fought throughout his life to earn a higher education. Washington’s dedication earned him a scholarship to Hampton Normal Agriculture Institute for Freedman in Hampton, Va. He is best known for being the former president of the Tuskegee Institute, a black organization for higher education. Washington strongly believed that agriculture and vocational education were key to advancing a newly freed race to a better life and not the pursuit of civil rights.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions - Booker T. Washington State Park Fishing Pier Area
Suck Creek - City of Chattanooga, TN
Zone Leader - Alishea Hixson
Contact Info - Alisheah@trgt.org 423-266-0314
Site Information - The Suck Creek site is managed by TRGT. The Tennessee River Gorge Trust (TRGT) is a Chattanooga area land trust that serves as a leader in conservation, actively stewarding over 17,000 acres in the Tennessee River Gorge. Our mission for the last 41 years has been "to preserve a healthy Tennessee River Gorge as a community treasure for generations." We envision a thriving future for the Tennessee River Gorge where the community has great access to outdoor recreation and wildlife flourishes.
The TRGT Team is nationally recognized for our work in scientific research, creating new partnerships in our region as well as improving access to our lands through hiking, camping, biking, paddling, and educational programs.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -Suck Creek Boat Ramp
Tennessee Riverpark (Downtown Chattanooga) - City of Chattanooga, TN
Zone Leader - Greyson Dukes
Contact Info - Greysondukes@gmail.com 615-364-5363 (prefers to be contacted via phone!)
Site Information - UTC students have historically managed the Tennessee Riverpark site. Greyson Dukes, a UTC graduate, continues to lead the site, engaging UTC students to volunteer. Tennessee Riverpark is a regional park jointly managed by Hamilton County and the City of Chattanooga. The park includes over 150 acres along the Tennessee River with unique scenic vistas, naturalized areas, open green spaces, playgrounds, public art, recreational areas, fishing piers, historical sites, and facility rentals.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -UTC Rowing Center (near the bamboo)
Lookout Creek - City of Chattanooga, TN
Zone Leader - Paige Odom
Contact Info - Paige@reflectionriding.org (931) 239-9919
Site Information - The Lookout Creek and Black Creek Sites are managed by Reflection Riding staff. Created as a public park by John and Margaret Chambliss in the 1950s, Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center was dedicated to the study and conservation of native plant life. Designed in the picturesque style by renowned landscape architect Thomas Kane, the park is meant to enhance the natural beauty of the landscape. It features over twelve miles of walking trails as well as a 3.4-mile loop drive intended to capture a sequence of views throughout the property. Over 300 acres stretch along a mile of Lookout Creek, then rise slowly through pastures and meadows up the forested western slopes of Lookout Mountain. The Lookout Creek site hosts a boating led clean up as well as a lond based one.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)* For boating clean-up, volunteers need to bring their own boats
Directions -Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center
Black Creek - City of Chattanooga, TN
Zone Leader - Paige Odom
Contact Info - Paige@reflectionriding.org (931) 239-9919
Site Information - The Lookout Creek and Black Creek Sites are managed by Reflection Riding staff. Created as a public park by John and Margaret Chambliss in the 1950s, Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center was dedicated to the study and conservation of native plant life. Designed in the picturesque style by renowned landscape architect Thomas Kane, the park is meant to enhance the natural beauty of the landscape. It features over twelve miles of walking trails as well as a 3.4-mile loop drive intended to capture a sequence of views throughout the property. Over 300 acres stretch along a mile of Lookout Creek, then rise slowly through pastures and meadows up the forested western slopes of Lookout Mountain.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)* The Black Creek site is on-foot clean up only
Directions -Black Creek community 1230 Leconte Cir Chattanooga, TN
Sterchi Farms South Chick - City of Chattanooga, TN
Zone Leader - UTC EDGE Club President Ella Van Dyke and Faculty Representative Jodi Caskey
Contact Info - jodi-caskey@utc.edu
Site Information - On the east side of Chattanooga, a 12-mile trail weaves along a tributary of the Tennessee River. Along the way, a key trailhead and pit stop is Sterchi Farm, a former working dairy farm sprawling 25 acres in an otherwise urban area. The land was acquired in 2006 alongside the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, with hopes of improving the land down the line.
*appropriate for all ages, Walking site
Directions - Sterchi Farms Trailhead
Mountain Creek - City of Chattanooga, TN
Zone Leader - Autumn Friday and Bonnie Capely
Contact Info - AutumnF@hamiltontn.gov
Site Information - The Mountain Creek site is managed by the Hamilton County Water Quality program. The Mountain Creek Watershed is no stranger to flash flooding. The site is layered in waste from encampments and is worsened by frequent flooding. This site is constantly filled with trash -impacting the lower portion of the Creek flowing into the Baylor campus. This site is high in difficulty. Child groups are not advised here.
*NOT ALL-AGE APPROPRIATE, HIGHER DIFFICULTY*
Directions -By Tractor Supply and Aldi at the Base of Signal Mountain
South Chattanooga Community Center - City of Chattanooga, TN
Zone Leader - Emily Mathis, City of Chattanooga Water Quality Department
Contact Info - emmathis@chattanooga.gov
Site Information - The South Chattanooga Community Center in the Alton Park area is hosted by the City of Chattanooga’s Water Quality Program Department. Volunteers needed to help clean up along a tributary of Chattanooga Creek on the backside of the Community Center’s property.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions - 1151 W 40th St, Chattanooga, TN 37409
Harrison Bay - Harrison, TN
Zone Leader - Nancy Brice
Contact Info - 423-413-0700
Site Information - Harrison Bay State Park is a 1,200-acre park with approximately 40 miles of Chickamauga Lake shoreline and was originally developed as a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recreation area in the 1930s. Its name is derived from a large bay at the main channel of the Tennessee River that covers the old town of Harrison and the last Cherokee Campground. The parklands are historically significant because the Cherokee Campground consisted of three villages that were ruled by one of the last great Cherokee Chieftains. Harrison Bay became the first Tennessee State Park in 1937.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions - Harrison Bay, meet across from the marina, follow signs
Spring Creek - East Ridge, TN
Zone Leader - Ginger Howard
Contact Info - gingerh54@gmail.com 423-304-5848
Site Information - Spring Creek runs through the City of East Ridge joining West Chickamauga Creek around the Camp Jordan area. The Spring Creek site is run by Ginger Howard and her family and friends, along with some founding members of The Tennessee River Rescue. This clean-up site can be found on the backside of the East Ridge Sanitation Department. Bring boots or waders if you have them!
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -Spring Creek 1015 Yale Street- City of East Ridge Sanitation Department
Camp Jordan Boating Site - East Ridge, TN
Zone Leader - David Riall
Contact Info -DRiall@yahoo.com 423-314-2640
Site Information - For many years, the land was used as a pasture and farmland. It was known as "The Crow Farm" until the City of East Ridge purchased the property in 1975, recognizing a need for a larger recreational facility.
Development began in the form of (2) ball fields in 1978 and has grown into what we know as Camp Jordan Park today; 13 baseball / softball fields, 14 soccer fields , a Two-mile paved walking track, 18-hole Disc Golf Course, two kayak launches, Two Beach Volleyball Courts, a ropes course and zipline, stocked fishing pond, Two picnic pavilions, amphitheater, RV campground and a 30,000 sq ft Multi-purpose Arena.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)* Boating Effort, Contact the zone leader for more information
Directions -Camp Jordan First Canoe put-in after the entrance
Camp Jordan Walking Site - East Ridge, TN
Zone Leader - Michele "shell" Luccketta, Lionhearts Fitness
Contact Info -shell@lionheartsfitness.com
Site Information - For many years, the land was used as a pasture and farmland. It was known as "The Crow Farm" until the City of East Ridge purchased the property in 1975, recognizing a need for a larger recreational facility.
Development began in the form of (2) ball fields in 1978 and has grown into what we know as Camp Jordan Park today; 13 baseball / softball fields, 14 soccer fields , a Two-mile paved walking track, 18-hole Disc Golf Course, two kayak launches, Two Beach Volleyball Courts, a ropes course and zipline, stocked fishing pond, Two picnic pavilions, amphitheater, RV campground and a 30,000 sq ft Multi-purpose Arena.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -Camp Jordan Greenway
Chester Frost Boat Ramp - Middle Valley/Hixson, TN
Zone Leader - Mark Odom, TVA Natural Resource Department
Contact Info - mlodom@tva.gov
Site Information - Join TVA staff on a boating clean-up at one of the County’s most visited parks. Meet at the Boat Ramp.
*14 and up site, volunteers transported via TVA boat to various sites*
Directions -Chester Frost Park 2277 Gold Point Cir N, Hixson, TN 37343
Earthfare/North Chick Site 1 - Hixson, TN
Zone Leader - Paul Hubbard
Contact Info - paul.hubbard@tn.gov 423-277-0060
Site Information - The North Chick site off Longview Drive is managed by North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy. Since 1989, NCCC has worked to protect land throughout the North Chickamauga Creek watershed for preservation, education, and recreational access. North Chickamauga Creek flows from the top of Walden’s Ridge to the Tennessee River at the Chickamauga Dam, sustaining a 25,000-acre watershed with a variety of forest and riparian zones.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -North Chickamauga Creek, Longview Drive, adjacent to the former Earth Fare grocery store off of Hixson Pike
Greenway Farms/North Chick Site 2 - Chattanooga/Hixson, TN
Zone Leader - Sofia Rudakevych, City Parks
Contact Info - surudakevych@chattanooga.gov
Site Information - We will meet at Greenway Farms upstream boat launch located along Walker Cemetary Road. Greenway Farm Park is a 180-acre city park along North Chickamauga Creek in Hixson, TN, located off Hamill Road approximately 1 mile east of Highway 153. The 220 total acres managed by the City of Chattanooga as the North Chickamauga Creek Greenway features 6 miles of walking, running, hiking, and biking trails and 2 canoe access points along a 2.5 mile stretch of North Chickamauga Creek. Facilities at the Greenway Farm include the conference center with space available for rent for events, a fenced-off-leash dog park, and bathroom facilities. Trash bags, gloves, and grabbers will be provided.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
*Bring your own boat and personal floating device for paddle clean-up*
*There will also be a walking creekside clean-up for those not using boats*
Directions -We will meet at Greenway Farms upstream boat launch located along Walker Cemetary Road.
Thrasher & Frontage Road/North Chick Site 3 - Soddy-Daisy, TN
Zone Leaders - Brooke Laxton & Christy Leffew
Contact Info - LEFFEW_CHRISTY@hcde.org
Site Information - County Teachers Brooke Laxton and Christy Leffew of Soddy-Daisy and Sequoyah High Schools run the Thrasher and Frontage road site. This site is on North Chickamauga Creek, just below the Frontage Road railroad tracks. This location stays frequently littered throughout the year.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -North Chickamauga Creek at Thrasher Pike, the intersection of Thrasher Pike and Frontage Road
Big Soddy/North Chick Site 4 - Soddy-Daisy, TN
Zone Leader - Nate Sanden
Contact Info - nate@keepsoddydaisybeautiful.org
Site Information - The Big Soddy Site is managed by Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful. Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful is a Community Beautification and Improvement Project (CBAIP). We are a community-driven organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing our community and the surrounding area through a variety of projects and initiatives.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -Big Soddy Creek Trail (Big Soddy Gulf)
Bradley County, TN Sites
Mouse Creek - City of Cleveland, TN
Zone Leader - Holly Parker
Contact Info - hparker@clevelandschools.org 423- 716-0060
Site Information - Our site is the Cleveland Greenway along Mouse Creek. It is suitable for all ages and has a paved walking path. There is also plenty of parking available as well as restrooms. This year we will meet at the Pavilion at Tinsley Park.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -South Mouse Creek off of the Mouse Creek Greenway , Pavilion at Tinsley Park
Village Green Mouse Creek - City of Cleveland, TN
Zone Leader - LuAnn Carey
Contact Info - lcarey@bradelyschools.org 423-599-0042
Site Information -
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -Meet in front of Village Green
Marion County, TN Sites
Shellmound Campground - Jasper, TN
Zone Leader - Mickey Rose
Contact Info - Mtma@aol.com 423-718-7075
Site Information -The Shellmound Campground site is managed by Mckey Rose - Shellmound Manager. At Shellmound RV Resort & Campground you will find a beautiful and peaceful resort that you can come have fun with us. This campground isn't like any other you have ever stayed at. We have games, a mascot (which you can try to steal, more on this under CAMP MASCOT), swimming area, boat docks, playground area and much much more.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -Shellmound picnic tables across the street from the Shellmound Campground manager’s residence
Hales Bar Marina - Guild, TN
Zone Leader - Amy Fowler
Contact Info - Afowler@mctns.net
Site Information -
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -Hales Bar Marina 1265 Hales Bar Rd, Guild, TN 37340
South Pittsburg Bridge - South Pittsburg, TN
Zone Leader - Mickey Rose
Contact Info - Mtma@aol.com 423-718-7075
Site Information - The Shellmound Campground site is managed by Mckey Rose - Shellmound Manager. At Shellmound RV Resort & Campground you will find a beautiful and peaceful resort that you can come have fun with us. This campground isn't like any other you have ever stayed at. We have games, a mascot (which you can try to steal, more on this under CAMP MASCOT), swimming area, boat docks, playground area and much much more.
*Child-Friendly site (all ages appropriate)*
Directions -Shellmound Blue River Bridge/ South Pittsburg Boat Dock
Catoosa County, GA Site
South Chick - Ringold, GA
Zone Leader - Christine Hunt
Contact Info - treelover13@gmail.com (423) 718-7057
Site Information - Meeting at the dam on South Chickamauga Creek on Graysville Road. Small zone, kayaks or canoes, very little area for walking. Bring long tools to work the shoreline by kayaks or canoes.
The South Chick Catoosa County clean-up is led by former TN River Rescue Coordinator Christine Hunt. Christine served as a coordinator for over twenty years and is a passionate environmentalist. Christine will receive volunteer support from the Kayak Ringgold group. This site is located in Ringold, Fort Oglethorpe, towards Camp Jordan Graysville road at the train tracks.
Directions -Meeting at the dam on South Chickamauga Creek on Graysville Road.
Small zone, kayaks or canoes, very little area for walking. Bring long tools to work the shoreline by kayaks or canoes.
Rhea County, TN Site
Zone Leader - Jeannie Long
Contact Info - jlong@tnwesleyan.edu, (423) 650-3927
Site Information - Kilbride Nature Sanctuary, 3131 Garrison Road, Dayton, TN 37321
Additional details coming soon!
Private Groups Participating
UTC American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Chapter and the Local Professional ASCE group
Calvin Donaldson campus, which sits on a tributary of Chattanooga Creek (Hamilton County - Chattanooga, TN)
The Tennessee Aquarium’s Institute staff
Tennessee River, behind their campus (Hamilton County - Chattanooga, TN)
Greenspaces Staff
Citico Creek behind Orchard Knob Elementary (Hamilton County - Chattanooga, TN)
Osprey Initiatives
Chattanooga Creek, litter boom site at Wheland Foundry Riverpark Bridge (Hamilton County - Chattanooga, TN )
Commercial Metals
Tennessee River Hamilton County- Chattanooga, TN
Youth Explorers Society (YES)
Sequatchie River between Old York Hwy and John Bunch Rd. -Sequatchie Co., TN
Stevenson City Park in Stevenson, AL- Jackson Co., AL
Nickajack Bat Cave- Nickajack Lake
Soddy Daisy Bird Park- Soddy Lake
Silverdale Baptist Academy Environmental Science Class
Enterprise South Nature Park and Volkswagen Wetlands (Hamilton County - Chattanooga, TN)
Red Bank Middle and High School
Mountain Creek (Hamilton County- Red Bank, TN)
LaFayette High School Marine Biology Club
Town Creek (Walker County - LaFayette, GA)
Directions - Some sites do not have a specific street address. Check our map below for site pin locations.
Also, check with Zone Leaders for more detailed instructions if needed.
Emergency contacts: Know of a problem on a waterway in our area? Check our list to find out who to contact in Hamilton County, TN or nearby Georgia (via Georgia Adopt-a-Stream).