News
Dalton State to Participate in Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup
10/07/19
The Conasauga River and its tributaries are some of the most biodiverse waterways in the country, and Dalton State is once again teaming up with local agencies to remove trash from the Conasauga.
Dalton State partners with Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful to participate in the annual Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup. This year the cleanup is scheduled for Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at various sites along the Conasauga. It is the 25th year.
Volunteers are encouraged to wear study shoes/boots, long pants, long sleeved shirts and gloves. Garbage bags and other cleanup supplies will be provided. Volunteers will also be gifted a free T-shirt.
The Conasauga River is a unique part of the local ecosystem and considered one of the most biodiverse freshwater river systems in the country. Because the Conasauga is home to species listed as endangered, keeping it clean is particularly important.
Since 1995, it is estimated that 127 tons of garbage has been removed from the river by this cleanup, according to Dr. John Lugthart, professor of biology at Dalton State who is instrumental in organizing the cleanup. More than 6000 people have volunteered, and more than 18,000 volunteer hours have been rewarded to those who did, he said. Dalton State College faculty, staff and students make up approximately 30 percent of the volunteers each year.
The seven 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, Coahulla Creek at Prater’s Mill, and Lakeshore Park. For directions to these locations please visit www.KeepDaltonWhitfieldBeautiful.org