French Broad River cleanup set for Sept. 15

Photo courtesy of Headwaters Outfitters

Here’s the press release from Headwaters Outfitters:

ROSMAN, NC — The fall cleanup of the French Broad River in Transylvania County, conducted by volunteers and organized by Headwaters Outfitters, will be Sept. 15.

In the spring and fall each year, volunteers wrestle thousands of pounds of refuse from the river, including tires, toys and styrofoam. The Sept. 15 cleanup will concentrate on the river segment from Champion Park to Island Ford.

“Heavy rains throughout the summer have washed all kinds of trash into the river,” says Allie Kozak, director of operations for Headwaters Outfitters at the intersection of Hwys. 64 and 215. “This is our chance to rid the pristine waterway of unsightly, potentially dangerous refuse.”

Volunteers — minimum age 16, able to swim and handle some physical activity — are invited to contact Headwaters to sign up on a first-come basis. Space is limited.

Headwaters and cleanup sponsors will provide canoes, paddles, PFDs, bottled water and trash bags. Transportation to the put-in at Champion Park and from the take-out at Island Ford also will be provided, along with a complimentary light breakfast and lunch after the cleanup.

Volunteers should bring work gloves, wear quick-drying clothes that can get wet and dirty, river sandals or sneakers (no flip-flops), hats and sunscreen. A change of clothes for after the cleanup is recommended. Volunteers should not bring “anything they would hate to get dirty, wet, or lost,” Kozak says.

Donations for the river cleanup will be accepted at Headwaters.

Headwaters Outfitters is a full-service outfitter for paddling and fly fishing adventures.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Call Headwaters Outfitters, 828-877-3106. Volunteers should be at Headwaters no later than 9:15 a.m. on Sept. 15. Online registration is not available, however volunteers should check www.HeadwatersOutfitters.com for last-minute arrangements or weather advisories.