- This event has passed.
(FULL) Cumberland River Kayak Cleanup
⚠️ Thank you for your interest in this event – however, we cannot accommodate more volunteers at this time. Please sign up for the volunteer newsletter to be notified of future opportunities to get involved!
Celebrate Earth Month by paddling down Nashville’s most iconic natural feature with the Cumberland River Compact! At this kayak cleanup, volunteers will disembark from the Shelby Park Boat Ramp and travel over three miles round-trip on the Cumberland River to collect litter and debris from the water and banks. Kayaks will be provided to a limited number of volunteers who register for the event on VolunteerHub. Once the event fills, volunteers must provide their own kayak, canoe, paddleboard, jon boat, or other small watercraft to join, and must contact the Volunteer Coordinator in advance in order to participate.
What to Bring & Wear:
- Clothing and shoes that can get wet and dirty. No flip flops or backless slides, please!
- A hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
- Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and snacks if needed.
- A dry bag for your items, towel, and change of clothes.
What We Provide:
- Gloves, litter grabbers, trash bags, and all necessary cleanup materials.
- Kayaks, paddles, and one-size-fits-most life jackets, while supplies last.
- A brief educational talk about water conservation in Nashville!
Volunteer Requirements:
- Registration on VolunteerHub is required to participate. If you don’t register, we won’t know to reserve a kayak for you!
- Volunteers must be at least 13 years old and able to operate their own kayak. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver on their child’s behalf and attend the event on the water with anyone under 18.
- No prior kayak experience is required—just a positive attitude and a willingness to help Middle Tennessee waterways.
- Volunteers must be able to meet the physical demands of a three mile kayak route, half of which is upstream.
- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing further information about the event. Please review this email carefully and save for future reference.
Contact:
For questions or additional information, please reach out to volunteer@cumberlandrivercompact.org.
This cleanup is made possible thanks to funding from Metro Water Services and Metro Nashville, and their dedication to ensuring the Cumberland River and its tributaries are clean. Don’t forget – that’s where 3 million people get their drinking water!
- Looking to volunteer with a group? Please contact Anna at volunteer@cumberlandrivercompact.org to be plugged into this volunteer event or another, depending on availability. Curated, private volunteer events are currently available to event sponsors.
- Interested in hosting your own independent cleanups? Reach out to Adopt-a-Stream@cumberlandrivercompact.org to inquire about adopting a stream section in Nashville.
- If you missed the window to register for this kayak cleanup, be sure to sign-up for the Compact’s Volunteer Newsletter to keep up with future volunteer events. If you’re looking for more opportunities to kayak the Cumberland River, check out our friends Cumberland Kayak & Adventure Company.
There are two shifts available for volunteering:
- Morning Shift: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Afternoon Shift: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.