River That Supplies the Carpet Industry Gets Its Annual Dose of TLC (tender loving clean) With Help from CRI and CARE Volunteers.Have you heard the joke about the garbage man who bragged that his business was always picking up?
Well, that goes double for us here at the Carpet and Rug Institute and Carpet America Recovery Effort, because on Saturday, October 24th, CRI Sustainability Manager Jeff Carrier and CARE Operations Manager Jeremy Stroop will once again don their waders for the 15th Annual Conasauga Watershed Clean Up. This year ought to be just right for some particularly good, filthy fun, because recent rains have taken the Dalton, Georgia area out of the drought conditions that have prevailed for the last several years.
According to the flyer for the clean-up, The Conasauga River is one of the six most biologically diverse freshwater river systems in the United States, supporting 24 endangered species and a dozen other imperiled species, including the Southern Pigtoe mussel and the Conasauga log perch, a fish found nowhere else in the world.
Jeremy and two of his team members remove a piece of rusted-out truck.
Jeff and Jeremy, how did you get involved with the Conasauga River Cleanup? Jeff: Jeremy got me to volunteer the first time several years ago, and he and I have been going ever since. I really enjoy it – the people are nice, the setting is beautiful, and I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile.
Jeremy: I first became involved in the Conasauga River Cleanup as a student taking an Environmental Studies Class at Dalton State. The class and the river project in particular marked the beginning of my passion for sustainability and environmental outreach. I was able to see the difference a person can make to improve the environment. This encouraged me to pursue a career in the carpet industry as an environmental representative.
What do you do exactly?
Jeff: Just show up at the site of your choice and pick up trash. All supplies are provided. The Nature Conservancy and The Conasauga River Alliance are involved in other projects for restoring the habitat, and the cleanup is just a great way for families and organizations to become involved in protecting one of this area’s most important and wonderful natural resources.
The remains of an abandoned truck are prepared for removal.
Jeremy: As a site leader, I help to organize my assigned site by handling registrations and passing out goodies to the participants. After I get everyone registered the real fun begins. As a team of volunteers, we spend the four hours pulling litter from the watershed. Some volunteers wear waders so they can go out and get the items that have worked themselves into the middle of the river. One participant last year had to recover a computer monitor in the middle of the river. I’m fairly certain that item did not work its way downstream. The really disappointing thing is many of the materials that we find could have been recycled if the proper disposal steps were taken.We have a great time doing something worthwhile in our own community. We would love to see more people get involved in this important project. The more people we have participating, the larger the area we can clean.
What is the most unusual item you can remember finding?
Jeff: There are so many - computers, tires, drums, fishing rods, furniture, and other very large items.
Jeremy: A truck bed
How does so much debris get into the river? Does it ever make you mad to think that people don’t appreciate this beautiful natural resource?
How does so much debris get into the river? Does it ever make you mad to think that people don’t appreciate this beautiful natural resource?
Jeff: People are careless with our natural resources. It would be easy to get mad, but instead, we’re trying to educate those around the community who use, enjoy, or have an effect on the river that their actions (or sometimes lack of) can hurt them. We also want them to see how much more the Conasauga River can be than just a source of drinking water. It’s available for their recreation, relaxation, and it supports such an incredible abundance of wildlife.
Jeremy: I have heard of some sites pulling up around 600 pounds of trash in one day’s work. It is disappointing to see the level of litter that finds its way into our water supply. Many of the sites were cleaned the year before, but when volunteers return a year later, some look as if they have never been cleaned.
The clean up day goes much deeper than simply protecting the natural landscape. The Conasauga River is one of the most biologically diverse river systems in the U.S. and is home to endangered and imperiled species that are found nowhere else in the world. The Conasauga is also important to Northwest Georgia’s economy and way of life. The Conasauga Watershed provides the water to the Northwest Georgia carpet industry. For example, 80% of domestic carpet manufacturing is accomplished by using water from this 90 mile stretch of river. The Conasauga watershed is also the source of drinking water for Dalton Utilities customers.
The clean up is held in conjunction with Northwest Georgia United Way’s Make a Difference Day and Rivers Alive. CRI member Shaw Industries is one of the sponsors for the event. The first 200 volunteers or so will receive a free T-shirt and hat, so it sounds like the early birds will profit most from the river rescue day. It sounds like hard work, but fun, too.
Thank you, Jeff and Jeremy, for all you do for the environment and for CRI and CARE! Many thanks also to our member volunteers, who pitch-in on behalf of companies such as Mohawk, Shaw, Tandus, J&J, etc.
Jeremy: I have heard of some sites pulling up around 600 pounds of trash in one day’s work. It is disappointing to see the level of litter that finds its way into our water supply. Many of the sites were cleaned the year before, but when volunteers return a year later, some look as if they have never been cleaned.
The clean up day goes much deeper than simply protecting the natural landscape. The Conasauga River is one of the most biologically diverse river systems in the U.S. and is home to endangered and imperiled species that are found nowhere else in the world. The Conasauga is also important to Northwest Georgia’s economy and way of life. The Conasauga Watershed provides the water to the Northwest Georgia carpet industry. For example, 80% of domestic carpet manufacturing is accomplished by using water from this 90 mile stretch of river. The Conasauga watershed is also the source of drinking water for Dalton Utilities customers.
The clean up is held in conjunction with Northwest Georgia United Way’s Make a Difference Day and Rivers Alive. CRI member Shaw Industries is one of the sponsors for the event. The first 200 volunteers or so will receive a free T-shirt and hat, so it sounds like the early birds will profit most from the river rescue day. It sounds like hard work, but fun, too.
Thank you, Jeff and Jeremy, for all you do for the environment and for CRI and CARE! Many thanks also to our member volunteers, who pitch-in on behalf of companies such as Mohawk, Shaw, Tandus, J&J, etc.
~ Bethany
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