Cahaba River Society, Friends of Pinchgut Creek team up for EarthWeek Cleanup

From The Tribune staff reports

TRUSSVILLE – The Cahaba River Society partnered with Friends of Pinchgut Creek on Monday, April 17, 2023, for a litter cleanup event. This was the first stop on a five-day EarthWeek cleanup throughout the Cahaba River watershed.

(Photo courtesy of Jean Cox, Friends of Pinchgut Creek)

“Friends of Pinchgut Creek was happy to partner with The Cahaba River Society on this project,” director Jean Cox said. “We were able to clean a stretch of Pinchgut that we have never worked before. That stretch is next to the interstate, so it has collected plenty of litter over the years. We are grateful for all the planning and work that Wil Ranier, the Field Programs Director at CRS, put into this week’s event, and we are incredibly grateful for the volunteers that attended the event worked for hours.”

In all, 51 volunteers worked to remove over 400 pounds of litter from the roadside and creek banks near the Valley Road connector. That included 68 lbs. of aluminum and 25 lbs. of plastic that will be recycled.

The event was sponsored by Diversified Fund Energy, who in addition to sponsoring provided a team of hard-working employees that helped collect litter.

More EarthDay events have taken place throughout the week and will continue to take place leading up to Earth Day, which is Saturday April 22.

Local cleanup areas have included Shades Creek in Irondale and areas of the Cahaba River near Highway 280 and Hoover.

On Friday, April 21, from 9 a.m. through noon, there will be one more opportunity to for those interested in volunteering to help with the Cahaba River Society’s EarthWeek projects.

“If you’re looking to plan a trip on the Cahaba River, anywhere from Trussville through Centreville on down to Selma, you’ll find tons of helpful information on the Cahaba Blueway,” the Society’s EarthWeek calendar states. “The Blueway has access locations, what to expect along the way, water level guides, and more. Moon River is one of the uppermost Cahaba Blueway access sites. We will be working to maintain the access trail by installing water bars, removing invasive species, and cleaning up litter at the site. Cahaba Brewing is sponsoring our Friday activities and has graciously invited participants back to the brewer for a beer after the day’s events.”