Volunteers needed for river cleanup

As part of an Adopt-A-Stream program, organizers in Jackson and Barrow counties, and the Town of Braselton are planning a Rivers Alive cleanup of the Mulberry River on Saturday, April 28.

Rivers Alive is Georgia’s annual volunteer waterway cleanup event that includes streams, rivers, lakes, beaches and wetlands.

While more than 35 people from Barrow and Jackson counties have already pledged to volunteer for the effort, organizers need more folks who are willing to get their hands dirty to beautify the Mulberry River.

“The more people that we can get excited about the environment, the better,” said Roy McHaney, senior development inspector of Jackson County.

Along with Barrow County stormwater field inspector and equipment operator Matt Treeter, and Braselton environmental specialist Yvette Wise, the groups are pulling together their resources to help clean the Mulberry River.

Keep Jackson County Beautiful is providing supplies for volunteers — who just need to show up wearing comfortable clothing and prepared to get messy, according to McHaney.

The Mulberry River runs along the borders of Jackson, Barrow, Gwinnett and Hall counties in Braselton. The town has a riverwalk that features a naturalized trail along the river.

Volunteers will focus on two key spots of the Mulberry River — at the Ga. Hwy. 124 bridge and the Thompson Mill Road bridge. Both bridges connect the roadways into Jackson and Barrow counties.

If there are enough volunteers, a third group may be added to include the Braselton Mulberry RiverWalk during the cleanup effort, according to McHaney.

Volunteers will meet at the Braselton Community Room (lower level of the Braselton Police and Municipal Court Building) on Saturday, April 28, from 7:30- 8 a.m. After getting an explanation of the cleanup plans, volunteers will then be carpooled to the designated areas along the Mulberry River.

Organizers expect to finish the cleanup effort around 11:30 a.m., according to McHaney. Volunteers will be treated to pizza and prizes (such as the most unique piece of trash collected) will be awarded.

Although Jackson and Barrow counties don’t have their own organized Adopt-A-Stream programs, McHaney said he hopes the Mulberry River cleanup is the start of a such a group in Jackson County. Braselton started its Adopt-A-Stream program last year.

If successful, the effort could include another cleanup in the fall, McHaney said.

For more information, contact McHaney in Jackson County at rmchaney@jacksoncountygov.com or call 706-367-5908; contact Wise in Braselton at ywise@braselton.net or call 706-654-3915; or contact Treeter in Barrow County at mtreeter@barrow.ga.org or call 770-307-3070.