Join the Largest Water Cleanup Project in Nashville's History

Percy Priest Lake's 24 islands and 213 miles of shoreline are heavily polluted with beer cans, plastics, Styrofoam and other packaging materials from recreationalists who leave their trash behind. All told, the Corp of Engineers estimates as much as 200 tons of trash tops Percy Priest's islands, with a hundred times more having fallen to the bottom of the lake. On Saturday, May 3 you can help the entire ecosystem by participating in the largest water cleanup project in Nashville's history. We have trash bags, gloves and sunscreen for you... we have snacks, hand sanitizer, T-shirts and hats... ...we even have Grammy winning recording artist Kathy Mattea at a private concert for everyone who helps on this day. And yes, it's all absolutely free. All you need to do is register now and join in the fun! Register now!

Links

The Mission

As Percy Priest Lake's islands accumulate tons of human-imposed debris each season, the metals and plastics leach chemicals into the water and threaten the habitat for aquatic species and birds beyond Tennessee.

In fact, Percy Priest trash could be flowing all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and into the Dead Zone.

All that waste has a dramatic impact on the integrity of the environment in Middle Tennessee. Cigarette butts, for example, threaten wildlife and aquatic animals that mistake them for food. The filters block their digestive tract, and the animals become ill or starve. Animals will also ingest hazardous compounds such as cadmium, arsenic, lead and nicotine (of course) that are absorbed by the filters.

Here's another illustration of the problem:

Cleaner islands and shoreline will improve habitat and water quality, reduce mosquito breeding and populations of scavenger species (crows, squirrels, pigeons, rats) and provide more enjoyable recreation for all. Please join us on May 3 by registering now!

The Skinny

What: The Nashville Clean Water Project @ Percy Priest Lake, a free community cleanup and "Thank You" concert with Grammy winning performer Kathy Mattea, all benefiting the environment.

When: Saturday, May 3rd.

Numerous time blocks in three-hour increments, beginning at 8:00am and ending at 2 p.m. Please register for this free event HERE.

Kathy Mattea's benefit for all volunteers will begin promptly at 4 p.m. at Nashville Shores. Tickets are included in your free event registration.

Where: Volunteers will meet and park free at Nashville Shores Water Park and will be shuttled to various points on the lake by sanctioned event boat captains. Nashville Shores: 4001 Bell Road, Nashville, TN 37201. Phone: (615) 885-3248

Who: You, your friends, your church groups, your neighborhood association, your colleagues, your family & you get the point. Mother Nature needs everyone!

How Much: Absolutely free, and you'll even receive a few thank you gifts, too.

Free Stuff: Trash bags, gloves, sunscreen, snacks, hand sanitizer, T-shirts, hats, new friends, a great afternoon, a private show by Grammy winning recording artist Kathy Mattea, and good karma for helping Mother Nature. And yes, it's all absolutely free.

Register now!

Sponsors

The Nashville Clean Water Project began with a handful of concerned citizens and the activism of several Nashville entities that are passionate about the impact we all have on the environment.

News media covered this issue during 2007's high season but neither a solution nor cleanup was organized. We've chosen early Spring, before boating season officially begins, as the time to make a difference with our cleanup and efforts to educate.

The key to organizing a gigantic clean-up like this is ultimately people like you. One by one, we expect a team as large as 1,000 volunteers strong. Would you please help us with a well organized event and register now for free.

Still Have Questions? Email wethink@thinkmediainc.com