FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) – The Tennessee River is the most important natural resource we have here in the Valley. A crusade has been started to clean and preserve the river for generations to come.
Mounds of trash, old tires, and everything in between sits on barges now docked in Florence. The junk has been pulled from the waters of the Tennessee River in recent weeks.
Living Lands and Waters has partnered with TVA to stop illegal dumping in the river. The group travels to different river ports on a barge, and is currently docked at McFarland Park. Team members live on the barge as they travel. In fact, Living Lands and Waters has a whole fleet of barges, boats, a towboat and work trucks it uses to spread its message.
“When they come in, they really bring that atmosphere of education and conservation. It’s all about educating our youth, getting our locals to realize the important resource they have,” explained Florence Lauderdale Tourism acting Director Alison Stanfield.
Through Tuesday, the group will lead expeditions to pick up trash along the waters of the Tennessee, as well as speak to school groups about preservation.
Stanfield knows the importance of a clean river first hand. Each year, fishermen spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Shoals as they try to catch world famous bass. Stanfield says a dirty river is bad for business.
“One of the things that brings our bass tournament circuits back year after year, our leisure fishing back, is the beauty of this river and the trash detracts,” Stanfield said.
It’s an unfortunate problem, but one Living Lands and Waters is willing to tackle.
Follow this link for more information on the outreach services Living Lands and Waters will offer through Tuesday, May 12th.