Protect The Conasauga Blue Burrower

Each year volunteers gather together on Make a Difference Day to help at the Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup. Together, they pick up thousands of pounds of litter and often run into some interesting litter such as an airsoft gun, a printer, or a trampoline. The litter builds up over time and needs to be removed to help keep the area safe and healthy.

This year, volunteers at the Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup will be treated to a special sticker of an endangered species that relies on the river, the Conasauga Blue Burrower. This crayfish species stands out because of its deep blue color and orange claws. It is only known in a small range of Whitfield County, GA, Murray County, GA, and Bradley County, TN. Unfortunately, it is threatened by habitat loss, livestock grazing, and seep and water table drainage.

The Blue Burrower creates “chimneys” above ground as it burrows down to the water table where it lives. Very little is known about these beautiful crayfish due to its rarity and reclusive way of life. Volunteers participating in the Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup help remove litter that can harm these creatures.

If you live or work in Whitfield or Murray County, there is a large chance that you are in a watershed every day. A watershed is the area of land that drains water running off it into the same body of water. Here, that water is the Conasauga River which the Conasauga Blue Burrower relies on.  Just because you can’t see water, doesn’t mean that your activities don’t impact it. Litter in a watershed will end up in the body of water that the water drains to.

Whether it’s via a storm drain or being blown straight into a creek, litter thrown out in our community eventually ends up in the Conasauga River watershed. It’s easy to forget about small litter like plastic bottles or fast-food wrappers, but when these pieces aren’t picked up they end up in our waterways. These small pieces of litter can also be confusing for wildlife and they end up consuming bits of plastic, Styrofoam, or foil. This can wreak havoc on their systems and even end up leading to their death.

On Saturday, October 25th, residents of Whitfield County, Murray County, and Polk County, TN are invited to the 31st Annual Conasauga Watershed Clean-Up. It’s a chance for the community to come together for a few hours to pick up trash from eight different locations along the river. Whether you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast or someone looking to make a difference, this is your opportunity to contribute.

Don’t worry if you’ve never done a cleanup before, it is one of the simplest ways to volunteer. Volunteers will be provided with gloves, trash bags, water, and snacks. They will then be guided by organizers to what nearby areas need to be cleaned up. Then they just search the area for bits of litter to put in their trash bag. You never know what they may find! If you are attending, just wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and you’re set.

Along with the sticker of the Conasauga Blue Burrower designed by artist Kristin Roberts, volunteers will also be receiving a t-shirt and hat (while supplies last) as a thank you for helping keep our environment clean.

The river is home to around two dozen endangered species including the Conasauga Blue Burrower, and trash in the water disrupts their habitats and threatens their survival. Every volunteer is of great importance because every piece of plastic removed from the watershed prevents further harm to the river’s delicate ecosystem.

Visit www.keepdaltonwhitfieldbeautiful.org to learn more about the event and find directions to each of the eight cleanup sites. Or call 706-278-5001 for details. Let’s come together and keep the Conasauga River clean, healthy, and beautiful!

Amy Hartline is the recycling and education program coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority. Have a recycling question? Contact her at (706) 278-5001 or ahartline@dwswa.org.