Volunteering Information

After reading through the site descriptions below, please contact a Zone Leader for registration details. 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. Day-of walk-ups are also welcome- coordinate with the zone leader in advance.

Please note specific site details and contact information.

Note: Some boating sites require you to bring your own. Please get in touch with 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!

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration is unique to each zone.  We suggest getting in touch with the leader for the zone you are planning to volunteer at beforehand, but walk-ups are happily accepted.

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.

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.

Short answer: No. Please get in contact with your zone coordinator to see if carpooling might be possible.

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.

Volunteer Sites

County
Child Friendly

Big Soddy

Hamilton County TN

Soddy-Daisy, TN

Big Soddy Creek Trail (Big Soddy Gulf)

Zone Leader: Nate Sanden

nate@keepsoddydaisybeautiful.org

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.

All Ages

Booker T State Park

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga, TN

Booker T. Washington State Park Fishing Pier Area

Zone Leader: Daniel Basham

Daniel.basham@tn.gov 423-322-5160

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.

All Ages

Bridgeport River Park

Jackson County AL

Bridgeport, AL

Bridgeport River Park, end of 6th Street (County Road 271) Bridgeport, AL 25740

Zone Leader: John Walker

ltcjmwalker@gmail.com, 256-608-0768 (Prefer email contact)

Event time: 0900-1300 (9am-1pm Central time)

All Ages

Camp Jordan Boating Site

Hamilton County TN

East Ridge, TN

Camp Jordan First Canoe put-in after the entrance

Zone Leader: David Riall

driall1@yahoo.com 423-314-2640

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.

All Ages

Carver Community Center

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga

Zone Leader: Jimmy Urciuoli

Green Steps jimmy.greenstepschatt@gmail.com

Meet at Carver Community Center at 12pm on Saturday, October 4th, 2026 to clean up Citico Creek and the adjacent floodplain. All litter cleanup supplies and refreshments are included, but please wear long pants and close toed shoes. Navigate to greenstepschatt.com/events to RSVP and read additional information.

Land & shallow water based. We will have 4 sets of waders for volunteers- please bring your own if you have them.

All Ages

Chattanooga Rowing Center

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga Rowing Center 1001 Riverside Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37406

Zone Leader: Drue Zaharis

chattrowcommunity@gmail.com 706-224-2234

Join Chattanooga Rowing Center members for a clean-up centered around the Chattanooga Rowing Center, located along the Tennessee Riverpark on Riverside Drive. 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.

All Ages

Chester Frost Boat Ramp

Hamilton County TN

Hixson, TN

2277 Gold Point Cir N, Hixson, TN 37343

Zone Leader: Mark Odom, TVA Natural Resource Department

mlodom@tva.gov

Chester Frost is a Hamilton County Park located in Hixson, TN north of Chattanooga on Chickamauga Lake (a reservoir on the Tennessee River system). The park is a popular location for outdoor recreation including boating, fishing, camping, and disc golf. This site is unique- volunteers will be transported by TVA representatives via boat to various locations in the reservoir known to be heavily littered.

All Ages

City of Dayton: Trash Masters!

Rhea County TN

Dayton

Dayton TWRA Boat Ramp

Zone Leader: Jeannie Long - Tennessee Wesleyan

jlong@tnwesleyan.edu

Welcome to Trash Masters: Fishing For Trash, Not Bass!

Come join us at the Dayton Boat Ramp TWRA for a fun-filled day of cleaning up our waterways! Grab your fishing gear and let’s reel in some trash instead of bass. Help us make a difference in our community by keeping our waters clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. Win amazing prizes for the biggest hauls!

Date: Oct. 4th, 2025

Time: 9:00 am

Location: Dayton Boat Ramp TWRA

No entry fee! Teams of 2-4 per boat are suggested.

Email Brooke@mywaterways.org for more information.

See you there!

All Ages

Earthfare

Hamilton County TN

Hixson, TN

North Chickamauga Creek, Longview Drive, adjacent to the former Earth Fare grocery store off of Hixson Pike

Zone Leader: Paul Hubbard

paul.hubbard@tn.gov 423-277-0060

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.

All Ages

Greenway Farm

Hamilton County TN

Hixson

Zone Leader: Austin Adderholt

Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Email Address: aadderholt@chattanooga.gov Phone Number: 4236436121

Ages: 16+
Volunteers must be able to navigate river/creek banks to retrieve litter. We’ll announce the specific cleanup location soon, we will target an area that needs some love and TLC.
Ready to get your hands dirty for a cleaner river? Sign up details and specific site locations will be announced shortly! Keep an eye here for updates!
Greenway Farms is a 180-acre park along North Chickamauga Creek in Hixson, TN. It features 6 miles of walking, running, hiking and biking trails. Greenway Farms also has 3 canoe access points, shade trees, and is an off-leash dog park.

Age 10+

Harrison Bay

Hamilton County TN

Harrison, TN

Harrison Bay, meet across from the marina, follow signs

Zone Leader: Nancy Brice

423-413-0700

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.

All Ages

Hwy. 58 Bridge Boat Ramp Georgetown, TN

Hamilton County TN

Georgetown

Zone Leader: Grace Blevins

grace.blevens3398@gmail.com, (423)368-3398

Decatur, Drive south on Hwy. 58. From Chattanooga, Drive north on Hwy. 58. From Dayton, drive east on Hwy. 60 to Hwy. 58 and head north from that intersection to the bridge. From Cleveland, drive west on Hwy. 60 to Hwy. 58 and head north to the bridge.

All Ages

Lookout & Black Creek

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga, TN

We will gather at Reflection Riding (400 Garden Road Chattanooga, TN 37419). Launch site is at the creek on campus.

Zone Leader: Logan Epperson

Reflection Riding -719-761-5291 logan@reflectionriding.org

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.

All Ages

Marshall County

Marshall County AL

Guntersville, AL

Zone Leader: Melissa Howard

mhoward@guntersvilleal.gov

We will be cleaning up the causeway on Hwy 431 – Snug Harbor / Honeycomb area. Kickoff time is 10:00 am.

All Ages

Mouse Creek

Bradley County TN

Cleveland, TN

South Mouse Creek off of the Mouse Creek Greenway , next to Kingsway Press

Zone Leader: Morgan Wyatt, Chelsea Montgomery, Eleanor Arnett

mwyatt@clevelandschools.org , cmontgomery@clevelandschools.org, earnett@clevelandschools.org

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.

All Ages

Rabbit Island: Wolftever Boat Ramp

Hamilton County TN

Harrison

8002 TN-58, Harrison, TN 37341

Zone Leader: Thomas Trouy

Thomas@mywaterways.org

Join the Gear Closet crew for a paddle clean-up to Rabbit Island launching from the Wolftever boat ramp in Harrison, TN.

All Ages

Renaissance Park

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga, TN

Address: 100 Manufacturers Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37405. Meeting Spot - Outdoor Pavilion. Entrances and parking are located on Manufacturers Road by Hill Overlooks and the Outdoor Pavilion. Renaissance Park can also be accessed from Coolidge Park by walkway under the Market Street Bridge.

Zone Leader: Claudia Mendez-Marti of the Tennessee Aquarium

cmarti@tnaqua.org / 423-315-6032

Renaissance Park is a 23 acre wetlands park designed to highlight this area’s ecology and history. Once the site of manufacturing plants, Renaissance Park demonstrates how a polluted area can be returned to a clean river habitat and a natural park setting. The park’s design promotes the return of native plants and animals, enhances river eco-systems, and provides a balance between urban renewal and the conservation of natural resources. Renaissance Park also celebrates Chattanooga’s rich heritage. Located throughout the park are features that remind visitors of past events and cultures that are distinctive to this area.

The Tennessee Aquarium’s mission is to connect people with nature and empower them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife. Since we are committed to providing opportunities for our community to experience that mission in action we would love for you to join us in this restorative and amazing conservation project.

All Ages

Rhea County

Rhea County TN

Spring City, TN

MEET LOCATION: 261 Bennett Dr. Spring City, TN 37381

Zone Leader: Benny Braden

info@responsiblestewardship.org

Tennessee River Rescue, Spring City, TN 9:00 AM 12:00 PM.

FOCUS AREAS: Removing litter and trash from Watts Bar Lake and the Tennessee River.

This is a partnership Cleanup with: Arrowhead Resort Tennessee Valley Authority Waterways.

Trash bags, gloves, grabbers, buckets will be provided. Please dress accordingly to the weather and wear sturdy footwear.

Weather cancellations will be announced on the Instagram and Facebook pages.

Additional details can be found at www.responsiblestewardship.org.

All Ages

Scottsboro Camp Site

Jackson County AL

Scottsboro, AL

primitive campsite on Lake Guntersville off Hwy 67 in Scottsboro

Zone Leader: Lydia Pennington

lydia@mountainlakeschamber.com 256-566-3660

We will be cleaning the primitive campsite on Lake Guntersville off Hwy 67 in Scottsboro this year. There isn’t a set address, but it is just past the boat launch.

All Ages

Shallowford Road Kayak Launch

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga

We will meet at Greenway Farms upstream boat launch located along Walker Cemetary Road.

Zone Leader: Austin Adderholt, City Park Stewards and Outdoor Chattanooga

aadderholt@chattanooga.gov

TBD

All Ages

Shellmound Campground

Marion County TN

Jasper, TN

Shellmound picnic tables across the street from the Shellmound Campground manager’s residence

Zone Leader: Mickey Rose

mtma07@aol.com 423-421-4374

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.

All Ages

South Chick

Catoosa County GA

Ringold, GA

Meeting at the dam on South Chickamauga Creek on Graysville Road.

Zone Leader: Christy Chapman

cdg.emg@gmail.com (423) 593-9444

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.

This site is located in Ringold, Fort Oglethorpe, towards Camp Jordan Graysville road at the train tracks.

All Ages

South Pittsburg Bridge

Marion County TN

South Pittsburg, TN

Shellmound Blue River Bridge/ South Pittsburg Boat Dock

Zone Leader: Mickey Rose

mtma07@aol.com 423-421-4374

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.

All Ages

Spring Creek

Hamilton County TN

East Ridge, TN

Spring Creek 1015 Yale Street- City of East Ridge Sanitation Department

Zone Leader: Ginger Howard

gingerh54@gmail.com 423-304-5848

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!

All Ages

Sterchi Farms South Chick

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga, TN

Sterchi Farms Trailhead

Zone Leader: UTC EDGE Club President Ella Van Dyke and Faculty Representative Jodi Caskey

jodi-caskey@utc.edu

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.

All Ages

Suck Creek

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga, TN

Suck Creek Boat Ramp

Zone Leader: Alishea Hixson

Alisheah@trgt.org 423-266-0314

START TIME: 9:30 am – 1:00 pm.

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.

All Ages

Thrasher & Frontage Road

Hamilton County TN

Soddy-Daisy, TN

North Chickamauga Creek at Thrasher Pike, the intersection of Thrasher Pike and Frontage Road

Zone Leader: Brooke Laxton & Christy Leffew

LEFFEW_CHRISTY@hcde.org

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.

All Ages

Village Green Mouse Creek

Bradley County TN

Cleveland, TN

Meet in front of Village Green

Zone Leader: LuAnn Carey

lcarey@bradelyschools.org 423-599-0042

All Ages

Youngstown Road Trailhead South Chick Greenway

Hamilton County TN

Chattanooga, TN

Zone Leader: Chuck Newell

faulknerd_2000@yahoo.com

This trailhead of the South Chickamauga Greenway is just off Lightfoot Mill Road. This

is one of the newer trailheads for the recent extension of the greenway. There is no

creek access here, but trash, which washes into the creek, accumulates at the trailhead

and along Youngstown Road. Meet at the small parking area on Youngstown Road.

There is not much parking, but a few people should be able to handle this site.

All Ages