Annual Spring Cleanup-New Hope Overlook

What a Mess After Flooding!

The heavy rains in late December caused the lake to rise by 17 ft, the highest since 2003. Flooding forced Jordan Lake State Recreation Area to close for two weeks. With the huge influx of water came trash from the 1,700 sq. mi. of watershed reaching up to Greensboro and Hillsborough.

We want to once again return natural beauty to the shoreline. To begin, we've selected the New Hope Overlook Access to Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. The photo shows a "trash line" that corresponds to the flood water level. It roughly follows the wonderful Red Trail enjoyed by hikers, a distance of several miles from Camping Area A to B. View file (https://goo.gl/photos/DUpAw9B7My2oG5r8A) for more photos.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/0/9/8/600_446312920.jpeg

What We Will Do

As usual, the Spring Cleanup is to do our part in the Haw River Assembly's Annual Clean-Up-A-Thon.

This map (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z3_TeIbVRRWs.kZRk7GgTEnuc&usp=sharing)link shows the targeted shoreline area (best seen in Satellite View). Walkers, boaters and kayakers are invited to help.

Walkers will meet in the upper parking lot of the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area New Hope Overlook access. They will be subdivided into four groups and will drive a short distance on park roads to shoreline access points.

Boaters and kayakers can launch from the New Hope Overlook ramps. We loan tarps for boats hauling trash. Please ask.

We are grateful for logistical support from both the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Trash will be transported by boats to a dumpster at the Corps headquarters near the dam.

Liability Waiver Forms (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qx9eql6aqapqi12/AAAGskbihFSnwL0_ZFfa5np1a?dl=0)

All participants must sign the liability waiver form and either bring to the registration table OR, if coming directly by boat from a launch area other than New Hope Overlook ramps, email in advance to: info@cleanjordanlake.org

Liability forms for Adults and Minors (for age of 11 to 18) can be downloaded by clicking on the header above or clicking at the "More" tab at the right of the meetup menu bar and then on "Files."

IMPORTANT: Participation by minors requires signature of guardian or parent and minors under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Age Restriction

Due to potential hazards associated with bagging and moving trash, we are not able to allow children under the age of 11 to participate. Children over the age of 11 and under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration

All volunteers must come to the registration table first. Registration begins at 9 am. Cleanup track assignments and safety briefing will be given.

What We Provide

Shoreline Track Captains to lead volunteers, bags, gloves, trash grabbers, first-aid kits, large on-site water containers, snacks and post-event light lunch starting at 12:15 pm.

Trash Treasure Hunt and Prizes!

We continue our tradition of offering a Trash Treasure Hunt. Merchandise prizes will be awarded for each item found. Go to far right of Menu Bar, click MORE-FILES-TRASH TREASURE HUNT PHOTOS

What to Wear

All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes and put on work gloves (we provide these or bring your own favorites)

We strongly recommend to wear long pants, long-sleeve shirt and hat

What Our Volunteers Have Accomplished

Since 2009, 200 cleanup events, large and small, have attracted 4,100 volunteers to our cause. By far, the largest turnouts are for our Fall and Spring cleanups that are open to the general public.

The result has been restoration of beauty and wildlife habitats along 15 miles of the worst impacted shoreline. These volunteers have removed 11,000 bags of trash (that is roughly 110 tons!). Many objects were too large to fit into trash bags such as basketballs, propane gas tanks, hot water heaters, car parts, pesticide sprayers, gasoline cans, and pails of industrial adhesives. In addition, volunteers have rolled over 3,800 tires, many still on rims, to boats and then rolled them off again at boat ramps to stacks that have been picked up by Bridgestone Americas Tires 4Ward (http://www.bridgestoneamericas.com/en/corporate-social-responsibility/environment-and-sustainability/tires4ward-program-details) Program for recycling.