News

Dalton State to Participate in Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup

10/12/20

Dalton State is participating in an effort to keep one of the most biodiverse waterways in the world clean.

Dalton State partners with Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful for the 26^th Annual Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup on Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Conasauga River is one of the six most biodiverse river systems in the United States, making its protection incredibly important, said Dr. John Lugthart, professor of biology at Dalton State and an organizer of the cleanup. More than 20 endangered species call the river home, and several of those endangered species are not found anywhere else in the world.

Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes/boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and gloves. Masks are required. Cleaning supplies, such as trash bags and hand sanitizer will be provided. Volunteers will receive a free hat and neck buff.

The event will be similar to past years despite the pandemic, Lugthart said. Volunteers are already spread out across the area, and social distancing will be enforced at locations where people may congregate. 

The eight locations for this year’s cleanup are: Conasauga River at Carlton Petty Road, Conasauga River at Ga. Highway 2, Conasauga River at Lower King’s Bridge and Norton Bridge roads, Holly Creek in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Mill Creek in Dalton, Lakeshore Park in Dalton, Crown Creek in Dalton and the Conasauga River snorkeling hole. For directions to these locations please visit www.KeepDaltonWhitfieldBeautiful.org.