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2023 APALACHICOLA NATIONAL FOREST CLEANUP
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023
Tallahassee Florida
2023 APALACHICOLA NATIONAL FOREST CLEANUP
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023
Tallahassee Florida
SIGN UP - SIGN IN
Pre-register for the Forest Cleanup using the link on the www.forestcleanup.org website. Should your plans change, use the link in your registration confirmation to cancel.
Sign-in will start at 7:30 am (Coffee and Pastries available) followed by a briefing at 8 am at the end of Rivers Road under the Power Line.
Please sign-in and write legibly so you receive the post event "Thank You" email with total numbers of volunteers, weights, etc.
Trash bags will be available. A port-a-potty and hand sanitizer will be provided as well.
Important
If you are part of a Forest User Group, decide where you are going to cleanup in advance. If you are willing to “adopt” other volunteers that are not familiar with the Forest, please let me know.
Lunch will be served from Noon to 2 p.m. For those that have been coming for several years, you know that I always try to mix things up a bit. I do promise that if chicken is involved it will not have feathers! I put the last sentence in this paragraph for two reasons; 1) to see if anyone actually reads what I write, and 2) so that you will seek me out on the day of the cleanup and let me know that you did.
General
Wear long pants, closed toed shoes and gloves. Bring any picker-up gadgets you may have. Dress in layers. Take pictures. We would like action shots for the website. Submit pictures to Sharon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sign-up and Sign-in
Pre-register for the Forest Cleanup using the link on the www.forestcleanup.org website. Should your plans change, use the link in your registration confirmation to cancel.
Unloading
Dumpsters will be positioned at the end of Rivers Rd under the powerlines. Turn left under the power line and off load from either side of the dumpsters. Separate dumpsters for household, metal, electronics, tires, etc. Assistance will be provided.
Criminal Activity
If you see any evidence of criminal activity, do not disturb the area and call the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 850-606-5800.
Safety Information
There are unlimited hazards in the forest.
* Sharp objects: Handle with care when picking up broken glass, sharp metal and building materials with nails, as well as handling a bag containing sharp objects. Do not over-fill trash bags.
* Snakes and Insects: If possible do not disturb. You may use a shovel or other tool to move large objects to be certain there are no snakes, bees, wasps or spiders underneath debris before attempting to pick up.
*Tires: Use caution when moving tires as they are most likely filled with stagnant water.
* Biohazards: If needles are found, contact the non-emergency Sheriff’s Office at 850-606-5800. We are not equipped to collect or dispose of items that may be contaminated with human blood or waste.
* Chemical Hazards: If you find containers with questionable contents (See below for more details.), take a picture and pin the location. Let Forest Service staff know so they can follow up.
Meth labs
While at first glance, these may look like a random assortment of trash. Beware of the serious danger.
How to recognize a Methamphetamine lab
What to do?
Cleaning up a meth lab is dangerous and expensive. Much of the waste is highly flammable and explosive. It’s a job for professionals.
Thank you for taking time to read this important information!
Briefing and Dumpster Location
Rivers Rd (see map below)
Apalachicola National Forest
Tallahassee, FL 32305
Directions
Take Capital Circle SE or SW to Crawfordville Rd (Stop Light with Circle K and Burger King on Corners), go South about 1.4 miles until you see a Marathon FREEBIRDS Station on the right (see picture below). Take a right on Rivers Rd and continue until the pavement ends.
Google Map Link
“Illegal dumping continues to be a problem in the forest. We go in each year with teams of volunteers and clean up “hot spots” identified by the Forest Service, Leon County Sheriff’s Department, and forest user groups,” said community volunteer Sharon Gray.
Year after year, organizations and community volunteers come out to participate in the Forest Cleanup. The groups include; Southern Trail Riders, Tallahassee Off Road Club, Capital City Jeepers, FL 4 x 4, Florida Trail Association, Tallahassee Fellowship Church, Tallahassee Mountain Bike Club, Tallahassee OHV, Dirt Dads, Kyle’s and Forest Edge Neighborhood.
Without strong support from the Leon County Office of Sustainability, the cleanup would not be possible. Leon County Public Works, Solid Waste Division, assists with appropriate sorting and proper disposal of the trash collected.
Volunteers pickup typical roadside litter as well as address serious dump sites including everything from tires to shingles to electronics to mattresses. There is a site needing attention appropriate for all volunteers. If not familiar with the forest, volunteers are matched with groups that know the forest. Please see “What to Expect” tab for more information.