“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