MountainTrue French Broad River Section 10 Clean-Up #2 in Tennessee 10/9
2025-10-09 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | NC
Volunteers are invited to help clean up Helene-deposited trash from the French Broad River in Cocke County, Tennessee with MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper team and outfitters associated with the Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association. This clean-up will be boat-based and focus on the river between the North Carolina / Tennessee state line at Paint Rock and Wolf Creek Boat Launch in Del Rio. This stretch of river is often referred to as “Section 10” and contains numerous class II rapids.
Previous whitewater paddling experience is required and experience with river clean-ups is strongly encouraged. MountainTrue can provide a limited number of rafts and inflatable kayaks to volunteers, but attendees are otherwise requested to bring their own boats and equipment. If you bring your own gear, make sure to bring a whitewater-suitable PFD and weather-appropriate clothing. MountainTrue will provide gloves, grabbers, trash bags, a dump trailer for trash removal, and a shuttle to the put-in.
We will meet at Paint Rock on River Road on the state line at 9:00 AM; drop boats, gear, and non-drivers; and then drive vehicles to the take-out at Wolf Creek Boat Launch in Del Rio. We will then be shuttled back up to Paint Rock where we will put on the river and head downstream. This section is 6 miles and will likely take around 6 hours to paddle.
If you need to borrow a boat from MountainTrue, email (jack@mountaintrue.org) or call (703-638-3616) Jack Henderson at least 2 days before the event.
Please Bring: whitewater-appropriate paddling equipment and clothing, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, drinking water, snacks, lunch, a change of clothes for afterwards, and any medications you might need on the water.
All participants must sign-up in advance to ensure we adhere to logistics and safety standards.
**Kids under the age of 18 are allowed as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian and are experienced whitewater paddlers.
To thank you for your time, volunteers are also eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours.
This event has been generously funded by the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Reservoir & Community Cleanups program and is occurring in partnership with Cherokee National Forest’s Unaka Ranger District. We are very grateful for both entities for their support.

MountainTrue French Broad River Section 10 Clean-Up #3 in Tennessee 10/16
2025-10-16 09:00 - 17:00

MountainTrue Post Hurricane Helene river clean-up AND after-party with Oak & Grist near Swannanoa, NC 11/15
2025-11-15 10:00 - 14:00
Come join the Mountain True team and Oak and Grist as we clean up the trash left behind by Hurricane Helene in the Swannanoa River. We will be removing trash and debris along the riparian areas. Please note this will be a land-based clean-up. All volunteers are invited for FREE food after the clean-up, sponsored by Oak & Grist.
Please wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves (and waders if you have them), and bring drinking water, lunch/snacks, and perhaps a change of clothes for afterward in case you get wet or dirty. We will have plenty of trash bags, gloves, safety glasses, and buckets for use, along with some hand tools such as shovels, loppers, hand saws, rakes, etc., however, feel free to bring your own if you would like. We will have our dump trailer there for the removal of collected garbage and recyclables.
LOCATION:
The exact location will be emailed to participants closer to the event date. Location is largely based on where the Army Corps of Engineers is working, parking, and other factors. We expect to be in or around Swannanoa, NC.
You’re invited!
Our friends at Oak & Grist will feed all volunteers and their immediate family members for FREE at their distillery after the clean-up.
1556 Grovestone Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711
The after-celebration starts around 3:30 pm. Please make sure to RSVP so they can ensure there is enough food for everyone.
The distillery will also be contributing 5% of seasonal cocktail, beer, and wine sales for the day to MountainTrue. So tell your friends that even if they can’t make the clean up, they can still support our efforts by raising a glass for a good cause.

To thank you for your time, volunteers are also eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours.

Giving Tuesday Clean-up with MountainTrue & Pirani near Asheville, NC 12/2
2025-12-02 11:00 - 15:00
Join MountainTrue for a special Giving Tuesday river clean-up sponsored by our friends at Pirani Life. Pirani will graciously donate $2 per pound of trash removed (up to $5,000). Help us clean up the river AND raise funds! (This will be a land-based clean-up, but be prepared to wade in the water).
The clean-up location will be in Buncombe County, but the exact location will be set closer to the event and emailed to registered participants (dependent upon many factors).
Kids aged 14 and up are welcome as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
***IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION EMAIL ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM/JUNK FOLDERS FOR EMAILS FROM MOBILIZE.
All volunteers are eligible to receive a complimentary annual membership to MountainTrue. Please email members@mountaintrue.org to request yours!

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