Project: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Blue Ridge Ranger District Tire Removal Project
Location: Georgia

Description: On December 13, 2025, as part of Venture Unknown Foundation’s annual Sweep Up the Southeast, months of planning turned into decisive action in the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. A dedicated team of nine volunteers worked side by side with the U.S. Forest Service staff to address a long-standing environmental concern caused by illegally dumped tires.

Throughout the afternoon, participants focused on sorting, staging, and loading discarded tires that had accumulated across the district. With the help of a large trailer provided by Liberty Tire, the team successfully removed a total of 418 tires from the forest. Each tire removed represented one less hazard to wildlife, a reduced risk to local waterways, and improved access and safety for public land users.

The successful execution of this project was made possible through strong collaboration organized by the Venture Unknown Foundation. Liberty Tire played a critical role by ensuring the responsible recycling of the collected tires and Tread Lightly! contributed by helping secure funding through the BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails Grant. Together, these efforts ensured that the necessary resources, logistics, and coordination were in place to complete the project efficiently and responsibly.

As a result of this collective effort, 418 tires are no longer part of the landscape of the Blue Ridge Ranger District, contributing to healthier ecosystems, safer recreation areas, and strengthened stewardship of public lands.

Thank you to the partners who made this possible:
 • Blue Ridge National Forest
• Venture Unknown Foundation
• BFGoodrich Tires
• Liberty Tire

“When leadership from the Blue Ridge District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest reached out to Venture Unknown Foundation about hundreds of illegally dumped tires scattered across mountainsides, creeks, and forest service roads, it was clear this couldn’t be ignored.  We put together a plan of attack and reached out to the people we knew could help tackle this project to remove the tires and return the forest to its natural beauty. Liberty Tire would provide the trailers and hauling services to remove the tires.  Tread Lightly! helped secure funding through the BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails grant program to help pay for the tire recycling. The final piece was to have the necessary boots on the ground to gather and load the tires into the trailer and the volunteers from Venture Unknown Foundation answered the call. This project is a clear example of what unity looks like in practice. Public agencies, private corporations, and 501(c)(3) organizations coming together with a shared purpose: to Restore the Outdoors and Protect the Adventure.”-Sean Clark, Chairman, Venture Unknown Foundation

“For Sweep Up The Southeast 2025, VUF and the Chattahoochee NF, Blue Ridge Ranger District partnered together to remove 418 tires that had been collected off the forest over approximately the last five years. Tire removal/recycling is quite expensive. These tires were collected across the forest off road banks, down mountains, and in water drains. This also isn’t possible without VUF’s commitment to help the Blue Ridge Ranger District staff maintain access to the forest and protect resources. Their time and effort, along with grants from Tread Lightly! and BFGoodrich Tires are greatly appreciated.”-Jake Beggs, Forestry Technician Blue Ridge Ranger District