“Don’t litter–it ends up in your River!
Reuse, reduce waste, and recycle instead.”
In 2019, the Cahaba River Society launched the Big Cahaba Cleanup, a public education campaign to reduce litter pollution in the Cahaba River. The goal of the Big Cahaba Cleanup is to spread the message, “Don’t litter–it ends up in your river!”
Kickoff Cleanup
To kick off the campaign, Cahaba River Society planned the most ambitious Cahaba River Cleanup ever undertaken. Sponsored by Alabama Outdoors, this kickoff event would have involved over 200 volunteers working in teams, both in canoes and on foot, to clean up to 50 miles of the Cahaba River from Trussville to Helena. Originally planned for June 8, 2019, the a forecast of severe weather forced the cancellation of the initial kickoff event due to concerns about volunteer safety.
Not to be deterred, Cahaba River Society announced plans to continue the public education campaign and spread the message of the Big Cahaba Cleanup with a series of local cleanups throughout the year. The relaunch of the Big Cahaba Cleanup one day event is being planned for Spring 2020.
Tell your friends not to litter!
Big Cahaba Cleanup Social Sharing Campaign
YOU can help spread the word and protect the Cahaba from litter pollution. The Cahaba River Society has launched a series of short videos produced by DoReMe Media Group to tell the story of how litter ends up in the Cahaba River. Watch these videos and share them with your friends to spread the word! More videos are in production, so watch the Cahaba River Society Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages for new arrivals.
How does litter end up in your river? Episode 1: Plastic Bags
How does litter end up in your river? Episode 2: Cigarette Butts
Big Cahaba Cleanup in the News
Vestavia Voice: 5/20/19, “Large cleanup of Cahaba River scheduled June 8”
CBS 42: 5/31/19, “The Cahaba River Society will launch the largest Cahaba Cleanup ever,” interviews with Gordon and Beth about the problem of litter pollution and the Big Cahaba Cleanup. Cameron
CBS 42: update on 6/6/19, “Cahaba River Society cancels 50 mile clean up due to weather”
280 Reporter: 6/4/19, “Cahaba River Society to host ‘largest Cahaba Cleanup ever’ June 8”
280 Reporter: “Cahaba River Society to host ‘largest Cahaba Cleanup ever’ June 8, update on 6/6/19
Thank you to our Big Cahaba Cleanup Partners!
Alabama Outdoors – Presenting Sponsor
Jefferson County/Alabama PALS
Coca-Cola Bottling United
UAB (Office of Sustainability, Rec Dept., Office of Community Outreach)
Birmingham Canoe Club
Jefferson County Department of Health / Storm Water Management Authority (SWMA)
Canoe the Cahaba Outfitter
The Nature Conservancy
Taziki’s
Cahaba Brewing
Wells Fargo Bank
Regions Bank
Mountain High Outfitters
Little Garden Club / Friends of Shades Creek
Aveda Institute
Cahaba Environmental Center
Alabama Environmental Council
Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights
City of Hoover
City of Trussville
City of Mountain Brook
City of Vestavia Hills
City of Helena
City of Irondale