Rolling Up Our Sleeves in March
The 9 Lakes tourism partners are recognized champions for rolling up their sleeves to protect the beauty of public lands and waterways found in East Tennessee. Working with local communities, businesses, Keep America Beautiful affiliates, and non-profits, partners take to the trails, lakes, and rivers to improve wildlife habitats and remove debris from shorelines and trails. In a region known for its beauty and biodiversity, these activities help to preserve and protect the scenic landscapes and fragile ecosystems of East Tennessee.
Spring seems to attract the most volunteers to assist with lake shorelines. March is great time to do the work before spring rains bring the lakes to full summer pool. Other groups plant trees to improve riparian buffers and fish habitats or assist with removal of invasive species that crowd out native species. The net impact of these efforts directly benefits fishermen, boaters, campers, swimmers, and paddlers who enjoy the recreational opportunities of the 9 Lakes region.
Can you help with these efforts? Yes!
Join a scheduled clean-up. Groups all across the region will be working events during March and into April. Here are a few to choose between or join as many as you like. Volunteers are the key to sustaining these efforts.
- March 14- Watts Bar Annual Spring Shoreline Clean-Up– Watts Bar Lake Association
- March 20- Douglas Lake Clean-up– Keep Cocke County Beautiful
- March 21- Douglas Lake– Keep Sevier County Beautiful hosting.
- March 21- Tellico River Shoreline Clean-Up WATR
- March 21- Ijams River Rescue Melton Hill Lake
- March 28- Norris Lake Project– Hosting partners- Anderson County Park, Stardust Marina, Union County Boat Dock, and Hickory Star Marina.
- April 18 Keep our Smokies Clean Host partner is Save our Smokies
- April 24- Foothills Parkway Clean-up– Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Enjoy the beauty of our region, but help us keep our lands and waters clean. Practice Leave No Trace principles when you visit by packing out what you pack in. Secure items on your boat when in motion to avoid items blowing into the water. When hiking or biking, stay on the designated trails to prevent damage to fragile eco-habitats. Take a picture, but leave the plants undisturbed.
