25 Mar Tread Lightly! Impact Report: Bankhead National Forest Cleanup

Project: Bankhead National Forest Cleanup
Project #40/50
State: Alabama

Description: This project was funded by the Quadratec 50 for 50 Initiative. Together with Tread Lightly!, Quadratec has committed to fund a project to improve off-road trails and public lands in each state over 24 months. 

On February 24, 2024, 26 volunteers from the Rattlesnake Wranglers Jeep Club initiated a cleanup ride through the Bankhead National Forest.

The group covered 9.7 miles of forest service roads, a day-use area, and a hiking area down to a waterfall location. The volunteers collected over 300 pounds of trash ranging from paper and diapers, to an 18” wheeler tire, mobile home tire, and broken TVs. From that trash, they were able to separate 79 pounds of scrap aluminum to be recycled to keep out of the landfills!

The group met for lunch at brushy lake where they picked up around the day-use area, then went to another location where they hiked down to the waterfalls collecting trash along the way. In total, the team spent about six hours cleaning up these areas and enjoying the beautiful Bankhead National Forest.

The Bankhead National Forest is located in northwest Alabama and covers an area of over 180,000 acres. The forest is characterized by its rolling hills, sparkling streams, and dense forests of oak, hickory, and pine trees. The forest is also home to several historic sites, including the ruins of old homes and mills, which provide a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past that anyone can enjoy.

Thank you to the following partners for their support:

• Quadratec
• Rattlesnake Wrangler Jeep Club
• US Forest Service

“The Rattlesnake Wrangler Jeep Club often visits the forest to enjoy the scenic view along the many miles of forest service roads, hiking trails, and horseback trails. A lot of us have ties to this place, back to our childhood, where we would come to Kinlock Falls to swim during hot summer or hunt the area for food during the hunting seasons. The Rattlesnake Wranglers Jeep Club is proud to be a part of the Tread Lightly! volunteer team by helping to keep public lands open to the public to allow many more generations access to the beautiful lands Alabama and other states have to offer. We will continue to advocate for responsible use of trails and other public lands and spread the message of Tread Lightly! in our future endeavors.” – Joshua Horton, Project Coordinator, Rattlesnake Wrangler Jeep Club.

“A huge thank you to Quadratec for funding the supplies and planning to make this project part of the Quadratec 50 for 50 program. And, thanks to Josh and the volunteers from the Rattlesnake Wrangler Jeep Club for being the boots on the ground to make this cleanup happen. The Rattlesnake Wrangler Jeep Club has been a great supporter of Tread Lightly! and it is through clubs and groups of volunteers like them that help us to Protect the Adventure for current and future users of our beautiful National Forest lands. Thanks for your great work!” – Lowell Eckart, Southeast Program Manager, Tread Lightly!

Want to get involved in your own Tread Lightly! project? Find upcoming activities, events and grant opportunities at treadlightly.org.