Annual Conasauga Watershed Clean-up a Success

Members of Girl Scout Brownie Troop 14603 volunteered at the Lakeshore Park cleanup site during the 19th Annual Conasauga Watershed Cleanup.  Pictured from left to right are Adults: Jennifer McGaughey, Michell Gray, Amber Stiles. Kids: Jayda Harrod, Alana McGaughey, Paige Stiles, Laila Perry, Abigail Rann, Chassidy Crider, Sarah Key, and Bree Worley.

(Dalton, GA, November 20, 2013) –258 volunteers from Whitfield and Murray Counties participated in the 19th Annual Conasauga River Watershed Clean-up on Saturday, October 26.  The annual event took place during the United Way’s “Make a Difference Day”.  Volunteers spent the morning removing trash, debris, and invasive plants from seven sites in the two counties.  Overall, volunteers collected and removed 8,329 pounds of trash and 37 tires. 

Event organizers want to thank everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this year’s event.  The amount of clean-up time donated by volunteers, approximately 774 hours, is valued at $16,077.  Volunteers received a t-shirt and a hat or reusable water bottle in appreciation for their participation. 

Organizers want to especially thank this year’s funding sponsors: Shaw Industries, J&J Industries, Dalton Utilities, Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority, The Nature Conservancy, and the Conasauga River Alliance.  Also, they would like to recognize these additional organizations that helped coordinated the event: Carpet & Rug Institute, Dalton State College, Dalton Utilities, Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful, Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful, Limestone Valley RC & D, and Murray County Extension.

The Conasauga River, one of the six most biologically diverse freshwater river systems in the United States, supports 24 endangered species and a dozen other imperiled species, including the Southern Pigtoe mussel and the Conasauga logperch, a fish found nowhere else in the world.  The Conasauga Watershed Clean-up has long been a part of Rivers Alive, a statewide campaign to clean and preserve over 70,000 miles of Georgia’s rivers and streams.

Rivers Alive continues to be the state’s and one of the South’s largest volunteer efforts to beautify water resources.  So far this year, 23,930 volunteers have participated in 260 clean-up events through out the state and have collected 477,569 pounds of garbage from Georgia waterways. For more information about efforts in other areas or the statewide campaign visit www.RiversAlive.org.

Eek-o-Friendly Costume Swap on October 19

 Exchange last year’s costume for one that’s new to you!

(Dalton, GA, October 11, 2013) –  Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful invites you to swap your clean, gently-used Halloween costume for one that’s new to you at the Eek-o-Friendly Costume Swap.  It will take place on Saturday, October 19 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Gaston Community Center in Dalton.  Stop by to “recycle” your costume, and learn new ways to make your Halloween more eco-friendly.

In the spirit of National Costume Swap Day™, volunteers will be accepting family friendly costumes for babies, children, adults, and pets.  A costume to swap is required for admission to the costume area.  The event will be set up in meeting rooms C and D, which are at the far left side of the building.  Costume donations will be accepted during the event for those that do not need to swap but want to put their old costumes to good use.

During the event visitors, with and without costumes to swap, can visit the booths with information about making your Halloween greener.  Topics include zapping energy vampires in your home, how to choose better treats and treasures, and more.

For more event information visit www.keepdaltonwhitfieldbeautiful.org, https://www.facebook.com/events/1386097834954445/, or call 706-278-5001.

19th Annual Conasauga Watershed Clean-up on October 26

Be a part of the tradition on Saturday, October 26 when you join other volunteers in cleaning up the Conasauga Watershed.  Registration opens at 9:00 am at each of the seven clean up sites located in Whitfield County and Murray County.  Choose a site and enjoy some muddy merriment as you help care for our area’s beautiful streams and river! 

This year’s clean-up will take place at seven locations:

1. Conasauga River at Carlton Petty Road bridge

2. Conasauga River at Highway 2 bridge

3. Conasauga River at Lower King’s Bridge/Norton Bridge

4. Holly Creek, Murray County, on the Chattahoochee National Forest

5. Mill Creek tributary in the City of Dalton

6. Coahulla Creek at Prater’s Mill

7. Lakeshore Park in the City of Dalton

The 19th Annual Conasauga Watershed Clean-up is held in conjunction with Northwest Georgia United Way’s Make A Difference Day and Georgia’s Annual Waterway Clean-Up, Rivers Alive.  The first 250 volunteers will receive a free shirt, and a hat or reusable water bottle.

Sturdy shoes or boots, gloves, long pants, and long sleeved shirts are recommended.  Hip or chest waders are useful, but are not required.  Trash bags and other supplies will be provided. 

One of the six most biologically diverse freshwater river systems in the United States, the Conasauga River supports 24 endangered species and a dozen other imperiled species, including the Southern Pigtoe mussel and the Conasauga log perch, a fish found nowhere else in the world.

SPONSORS:    Shaw Industries, J&J Industries, Dalton Utilities, Dalton-Whitfield Regional Solid Waste Management Authority (DWRSWMA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Conasauga River Alliance (CRA).

COORDINATORS:  Carpet & Rug Institute, CRA, Dalton State College, Dalton Utilities, DWRSWMA, Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful, Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful, Limestone Valley RC & D, TNC, and Murray County Extension.

For additional information, please contact John Lugthart at jlugthart@daltonstate.edu, or 706-272-2485.   Click here to download the event flier with directions.

Join and share this event on Facebook thru Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful's event listing.

Compost Bin Sale, Saturday, May 11, 2013

Each composter comes with a user guide booklet with instructions in English, French, and Spanish.

Celebrating International Compost Awareness Week

(Dalton, GA, May 9, 2013) – Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful is having a Compost Bin Sale during the Downtown Dalton Saturday Market at the Dalton Green. This Saturday, May 11, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm volunteers will be selling a limited number of the "Garden Gourmet" Backyard Composter for only $45.00 each, almost 50% off the retail price of $79.99. Residents will receive a free perennial with their purchase while supplies last.

The "Garden Gourmet" backyard composter is an attractive bin that fits neatly into almost any backyard space thanks to its compact size of 24"x24"x36". The easy to assemble bin is made from 51% recycled plastic and includes convenient features like a sliding bottom door to remove compost. It's an ideal choice for beginners since it includes a basic composting guide.

Gardeners refer to composting as "turning your garbage into gold" because it keeps food scraps and organic waste out of the landfill while allowing nature to recycle them into a nutritious soil amendment. Items that can be added to your compost pile include coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, hair, and grass clippings.

A portion of each sale benefits environmental education for K-12 students in Whitfield County, and several Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful events like Christmas Tree Recycling Day. For more information call Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful at 706-226-6211 or visit www.keepdaltonwhitfieldbeautiful.org.

International Compost Awareness Week, organized by the US Composting Council, is from May 6 to 11 this year. For more information, and to learn more about composting visit the US Composting Council at www.compostingcouncil.org.

Bulky Waste Round Up! this Saturday, April 20

Banner at one of the participating schools announcing Bulky Waste Round Up 2013.

Annual Bulky Waste and Electronics Collection Day for Whitfield County

The 2013 Bulky Waste Round Up is scheduled for this Saturday, April 20, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at four drop-off locations in Whitfield County. During the event Whitfield county residents may properly dispose of or recycle bulky waste without paying transportation fees. The main location is the Old Dixie Hwy. Landfill and Convenience Center at 4189 Old Dixie Hwy. S.E., in Dalton. Additional locations are the parking lots for Westside Middle School, the old Eastbrook Middle School building, and North Whitfield Middle School.

Bulky waste refers to items that are too big for a typical household garbage can, like furniture and appliances. Each of the four drop-off locations will be accepting bulky waste, and small amounts of home remodeling debris for proper disposal. Scrap metal, and electronics will also be collected for recycling. Electronics include items like computers, digital cameras, cell phones, printers, scanners, and laptops. There is a limit of one television accepted per vehicle.

The Old Dixie Landfill and Convenience Center is the only location accepting Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) that includes items such as household pesticides, swimming pool chemicals, varnish and latex paints. For a complete list of HHW please visit www.DWSWA.org or call 706-277-2545.

The Bulky Waste Round Up is for residents of Whitfield County, and only residential or household waste will be accepted. Tires are not included in this event and should be disposed of at a Convenience Center for a minimal fee. For questions about a particular item call 706-278-5001.

If you are unable to attend the event this year, please note that Household Hazardous Waste is accepted at the Old Dixie Hwy. Landfill and Convenience Center on the third Saturday of every month from 7 am to 2 pm. Electronics, scrap metal, and bulky waste are accepted year round for no charge at the same location, Monday thru Friday 7 am to 6 pm, and Saturday 7 am to 3 pm.

No matter what you need to drop-off or when, don't forget to secure your load for cleaner roads. Tie down and put a tarp on items placed in the back of a pick-up truck or trailer.

Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful, the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority, and Whitfield County Public Works organize this annual event. For more information or to volunteer, call Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful at 706-226-6211, visit www.keepdaltonwhitfieldbeautiful.org, or e-mail lswafford@dwswa.org.