Join us! Be one of 25,000 volunteers wanted for the 2011 NC Big Sweep’s Silver Anniversary to clean up our watersheds, lakes and creeks during September and October! Litter and debris ruin the scenic beauty of North Carolina and pose threats to wildlife, water quality, pedestrians, traffic and tourism.
Cleanup events abound in Orange County and across the state. Volunteers can join one of the organized events, or to lead friends, families, neighbors, club members, coworkers, churches or schools to clean up their small parts of the world. For Orange County information, contact Wendy Smith, Town of Chapel Hill Stormwater Management at 919-969-7246. See the Town’s website for contact information and posted events: www.townofchapelhill.org/stormwater.
All volunteers must sign a Town liability waiver form and those under the age of 18 must have parental permission to participate, unless the event is part of a school classroom program. Those aged 14 and under must have adult leaders. Forms and data sheets are available online: groups sign a waiver & participation form, fill out the data sheet while collecting litter, snap a group photo, estimate weight and properly dispose of trash. Event leaders return paperwork to Chapel Hill’s Stormwater Management Office for a chance to win gift certificates donated by Whole Foods. Trash bags, gloves and vests can be supplied by the Town upon request.
NC Big Sweep is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, a global effort to remove trash from watersheds and waterways. The ICC and NC Big Sweep use collected data to develop litter prevention strategies. Since its inception in 1987 as “Beach Sweep”, NC Big Sweep reports that more than 300,000 volunteers have retrieved over 10 million pounds of debris across our state.
You can help! Read on for specific information on Big Sweep Orange County events.
NC BIG SWEEP-ORANGE COUNTY EVENTS
September 17-October 1, 2011 – Call for assignment
NC Dept of Transportation “Litter Sweep” and Adopt-A-Highway for State roads
For Orange County DOT office, contact Angela Tilson at 919-732-4330
Saturday, September 17, 2011 9am – Noon
Cleanup on Morgan Creek. Contact Johnny Randall at 919-962-052
Saturday, September 17, 2011 9am – Noon
Eno River Cleanup Day. Cleanup on the Eno River from Ayr Mount to Gold Park in Hillsborough.
Contact Terry Griffin
Saturday, September 24, 2011 Register 8:30/Event 9am-11am
National Public Lands Day/NC PlayDaze. Clean up Hillsborough’s Fairview Park Area.
Contact Anne Clark at 919-260-0949 Website
Saturday, October 1, 2011 9:00am-2:00pm by boat or by land
Clean Jordan Lake: Information and registration at www.cleanjordanlake.org
All creeks from Chapel Hill and Carrboro flow into Jordan Lake.
Saturday, October 1, 2011 10am-1pm
Cleanup of Little River in Little River Park, Northern Orange County
Contact Michelle Pesavento at 919-732-5505 Website
Saturday, October 8, 2011 9am-1pm
Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association – clean roads, paths and ditches (light litter)
Contact David Caldwell at 919-357-1953 Website
Saturday, October 22, 2011 9am-Noon
Carrboro Recreation and Parks Make a Difference Day!
Cleanup will be in downtown Carrboro
Contact Julie Collins at 919-938-7364
Sunday, October 23, 2011 10am-Noon
Clean up Bolin Creek and Booker Creek at Rainbow Soccer Complex
Cleland Road, Chapel Hill
Contact Wendy Smith at 919-969-7246 (Map)
Volunteers who want to travel to other parts of North Carolina should contact the county coordinator listed at www.ncbigsweep.org for directions and inclement weather plans.