French Broad Paddle Trail Clean Up Alexander to Walnut 7/19 near Alexander, NC

MountainTrue members and the general public are invited to help clean up trash with French Broad Paddle Trail Manager, Jack Henderson. The clean up will focus on the French Broad River between Alexander River Park and Walnut Island River Park in northern Buncombe County. This will be a paddle-based clean up, with the option to stay on land to clean up the access points and roadside areas if paddling is not of interest.

MountainTrue can provide canoes to volunteers with previous canoeing experience, but attendees are otherwise requested to bring their own boats. If you don’t have a boat, or have limited canoeing experience, you are welcome to come and help clean up the access areas.

There might also be an option to paddle out-and-back to Whittier Branch Island, a future Paddle Trail campsite, to clean up trash from the island and return to Alexander River Park (not paddling downstream). Overall, there are class 1-2 rapids on this section of river that require some knowledge and experience with paddling, especially with boats filled with collected garbage.
MountainTrue will provide a limited number of canoes, paddles, and PFDs. PFDs must be worn by all participants, so if you bring your own boat, bring a PFD. MountainTrue will also provide trash bags and removal of garbage. Volunteers should bring their own gloves.

Children are welcome to attend this event as a Paddle Access volunteer. They may be on the water if they have prior paddling experience. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the outing.

Please remember to bring:
Change of clothes for after the event
Drinking water
Snacks
Lunch
Gloves
PFD if bringing your own boat

This event will be rain or shine (with the exception of heavy rain). The event will be canceled if water levels are too high or too low.