River Rescue

River Rescue is a community action event, coordinated by Ijams Nature Center, which involves hundreds of volunteers. This annual cleanup covers 50 miles of Tennessee River shoreline. River Rescue started in 1990 when volunteers gathered together and collected several tons of debris which included tires, electronics, bottles, cans, fast food wrappers, down to cigarette butts. Over the past 18 years, River Rescue has attracted 8805 volunteers. They've picked up 273.65 tons of debris and 1878 tires. The tons of debris has decreased from 40+ tons to 10+ tons and 500+ tires to 24+ tires at the various 20-40 locations. This just goes to show that River Rescue is working the way we want. Each year brings new volunteers to work alongside veteran River Rescuers who seem to find less trash, therefore huge improvements for our waterways. We still have a ways to go and could use your help.