Both WCU students and local residents participated in the 32nd annual cleanup, the largest single-day effort to remove rubbish from a river in the nation, with about 860 volunteers this year removing tons of garbage from 27 miles of the Tuckaseigee River, said Jeremiah Haas, associate director for outdoor programs at Base Camp Cullowhee, WCU’s outdoor programming organization.

“This year we offered pre-registration for WCU student organizations and clubs, and we saw an overwhelming number of 325 pre-register,” Haas said. “Great weather and a committed student body made this year’s Tuck River Cleanup a huge success. Volunteers filled a huge haul-a-way dumpster with garbage, including many bottles and tires found in the river.” A roadside cleanup also was part of the cleanup activities.

The event is organized by the students and staff of Base Camp Cullowhee. WCU photo