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- Norris Lake Project– Sequoyah Marina hosting
• March 17- Douglas Lake– Keep Cocke County Beautiful hosting
• March 21- Cherokee Lake– CLUA hosting
• March 28- Norris Lake Project– Hosting partners- Beach Island Marina, Hickory Star Marina, Indian River Marina, Norris Landing Marina,  Powell Valley Marina
• April 4- Clinch River in Oak Ridge- Tennessee River Grand Slam Clean-Up Series – Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful Host.
• April 4- Douglas Lake– Keep Sevier County Beautiful hosting.

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.