Join Arabia Rangers as we remove trash from Polebridge Creek at the Evans Mill Trailhead of the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve! This is an opportunity to give back to one of metro-ATL’s most treasured natural landscapes. Your participation will help ensure the health and vitality of the preserve for future generations of wildlife and people. Whether you’re a longtime visitor of the preserve or new to the area, your hands-on efforts will make a lasting difference! All ages welcome!

We will provide all the cleanup supplies: gloves, trash bags, tools, and snacks. There will be two cleanup groups during the sessions:

• Streamside Group: This group will be wading in or around the perimeter of the stream to collect trash and other debris. Participants in this group should expect to get dirty, and potentially a little wet. This where most of the trash is. Dress accordingly!
• Trail Group: This group will focus on the trash that has been deposited on and around nearby nature trails. Particpants in this group should expect to spend a lot of time in concentrated areas picking up small micro bits of plastic and other debris.

Program leader: Your guide will be Ranger Rachel Roberts, the DeKalb County Park Naturalist at Arabia Mountain as well as Jennifer Dickie, the Program Manager at the Arabia Alliance.

Where to meet: We will meet at the Nature Center, then caravan with Ranger Rachel or Jennifer to the Evans Mill Trailhead (4034 Evans Mill Rd.)

What to bring: Dress for the weather and bring a refillable water bottle and a snack. We have safety gear we can lend, but if you’re able to bring your work gloves and trash grabbers, please do to ensure we have enough tools for everyone. For safety, please wear sturdy hiking shoes or galoshes/boots that can get wet. And please don’t forget to bring an enthusiastic attitude! Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection, as well as insect repellent to keep the bugs at bay.

Restrooms: Portable restrooms are available in the front of the trailhead that are serviced regularly.

Dogs: This program is NOT appropriate for dogs, so please leave your pup at home.

Weather contingency: This program will be held rain or shine unless conditions are deemed unsafe by DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs (RPCA).

Trail surface & accessibility: This program will venture on steep creek banks, along mixed trails, and various other surfaces. Questions if this program will work for your mobility? Reasonable accommodations may be available upon request. To request an accommodation, please contact the program organizer at least 48 hours in advance of the event. Contact Ranger Rachel: rcroberts@dekalbcountyga.gov

Program Photos: We love documenting our programs and may share photographs on DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs’ websites, publications, and social media platforms. While participants are welcome to take their own photos, photographs taken by staff are generally intended for County documentation and promotional purposes and are not routinely distributed to participants.