On Saturday, March 16th the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge in Springville is opening up its seasonally closed Sanctuary Areas for spring and summer time fun.  Several bays, trails, roads and areas that were closed for the last six months will once again be inviting folks to come fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking and biking, among other wildlife dependent recreation on the refuge.

To help prepare and look best for the many folks that would like to come and visit, the refuge is announcing two volunteer workdays in which they hope to tidy up sections of the refuge.

On Saturday, March 16th from 9 a.m. -12 pm, the refuge is holding a spring cleanup day themed “Save a Critter, Pick up Litter!” Anyone interested in helping save some critters can meet at the main Duck River Bottoms entrance at 550 Refuge Lane in New Johnsonville.

On Friday, March 22nd from 8 a.m.– 12 pm, the refuge will have a Pollinator Garden Cleanup Day.  Come to the Refuge Visitor Center located at 1371 Wildlife Drive in Springville,. The garden has been fallow all winter and is in desperate need of some weeding and mulching. If available, we ask that you bring any gardening tools you may have handy such as pruners, shears, gardening forks and trowels.

While there is no need to RSVP, attendees will need to wear long pants and close-toed shoes that might get dirty.  Through a generous grant provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the refuge will provide all supplies needed for the day such as gloves, litter grabbers, trash bags, water and snacks.

As a thank you for helping, those in attendance will be given a free “Save a Critter, Pick up Litter” t-shirt, which features a very happy raccoon on the front as well as a thank-you goody bag.

“This will be a great day for individuals and families wanting to improve their local natural environments” says Ranger Joan Howe. “This trash pick-up day can also be an opportunity for local scout troops, youth groups or 4-H clubs needing service hours. It is always a good day to come out to the refuge, please consider coming out to make the place a cleaner home for our wildlife!”