What: The Renew Our Rivers Smith Lake cleanup is Thursday, Oct. 6. Volunteers should report at 8:30 a.m. at Houston Recreation Area. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Minors must have a chaperone to participate. The cleanup will end at 1:30 and lunch will be provided for volunteers.

This Renew Our Rivers cleanup is coordinated by Alabama Power, Bankhead National Forest and Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc.

Overview: Volunteers for Renew Our Rivers, one of the Southeast’s largest river cleanup campaigns, have collected more than 14 million pounds of trash and debris since the program’s inception in 2000. This year, 32 cleanups are planned through November on the Alabama, Black Warrior, Cahaba, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Mobile and Tallapoosa rivers.

To learn more about volunteer efforts, visit our website, http://renewourrivers.com.

Directions: From Double Springs: Travel 10 miles east on U.S. 278. Turn right and travel 2 miles south on County Road 63. Bear right on County Road 61 in Houston and travel 2 miles southwest on County Road 61. Turn right at the sign for Houston Recreation Area and then drive 1 mile west on Forest Service Road 118. From Highway 278, follow the signs to the Houston Recreation Area. On County Road 63, the turnoff from Highway 278 is between Double Springs and Addison.

Volunteer Contact: Jim Eason at msgjeason@yahoo.com