What:  The third annual Smith Lake cleanup will be this Thursday, June 11, through Saturday, June 13. Volunteers with boats should meet at the Clear Creek Recreational Area in Bankhead National Forest at 8 a.m. each day to remove trash and discarded items from the lake. The cleanup will end each day at 3 p.m. The June 13 cleanup will feature a picnic lunch at noon at Bayleaf Pavilion.
 

Laverne Matheson, president of Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, will be presented with the W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Award at the picnic lunch. The award is presented to individuals who promote the wiser use of renewable natural resources. Matheson was selected for his efforts to conserve the water resources of Winston County and Smith Lake and for educating residents about the area’s unique natural resources. The prestigious award is administered by the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Volunteers, sponsors and members are invited to attend.

The cleanup is being coordinated by the U.S. Forest Service and Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy.

Overview:  Renew Our Rivers, the Southeast’s largest river cleanup campaign, has collected more than 10 million pounds of trash and debris from Alabama and Southeast rivers since its 2000 inception. There are 23 cleanups planned through Oct. 24 on the Cahaba, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Black Warrior and Mobile rivers.

Directions: Directions to Clear Creek Recreation Area From Jasper – Follow Alabama Highway 195 north for approximately 4.5 miles.  Turn right onto Fall City Road at the Clear Creek Recreational Area sign. Travel north on Fall City Road for 8.1 miles.

Contact: Allison Cochran, U.S. Forest Service, 205-489-5111

Media contact: Hallie Bradley 205-257-4155