What:  The annual Valley Creek cleanup is Saturday, March 16. Volunteers should report at 8:30 a.m. to one of four collection sites around Jefferson County (see locations below). Volunteers should wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Minors must have a chaperone. The cleanups will end at noon and lunch will be provided at each location.

These cleanups are a partnership of the Jefferson County Department of Health Watershed Protection Program, the Storm Water Management Authority Inc., Birmingham Stormwater Program, Bessemer Stormwater Program, Freshwater Land Trust, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Reserves, Alabama Power Renew Our Rivers, Jefferson County and the cities of Birmingham, Midfield, Lipscomb, Pleasant Grove, Hueytown, Brighton and Bessemer.

Overview:  Volunteers for Renew Our Rivers, one of the Southeast’s largest river cleanup campaigns, have collected more than 15.5 million pounds of trash and debris since the program’s inception in 2000. This year, 30 cleanups are planned through November on the Alabama, Black Warrior, Cahaba, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Mobile and Tallapoosa rivers.

To learn more about volunteer efforts, visit https://apcshorelines.com/blog/.

Directions:   Bessemer: McNeil Park, 1931 13th St. N., Bessemer, 35020.

                      Birmingham: Five Points West Library, 4812 Ave. W., Birmingham, 35208.

                      Lipscomb: City Hall, 5512 Ave. H., Bessemer, 35020.

                      Oak Grove: Oak Grove Memorial Park, 9180 Lock 17 Rd., Adger, 35006.

Volunteer Contact: For additional information, visit www.jcdh.org and search “Valley Creek Cleanup” or call Freddie Freeman at 205-424-4060, ext. 4188.