Tourism officials to organize cleanup on Wheeler Lake

DECATUR – The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Hampton Inn Madison Huntsville Airport and Kayak Bass Fishing owner/CEO Chad Hoover are hosting a river stewardship event to collect litter from Wheeler Lake.

Set for Sept. 30, the Wheeler Lake Clean Up is a volunteer event designed to help clean Wheeler Lake while raising awareness of its recreational impact to north Alabama. The event is in Point Mallard Park in Decatur from 8-11 a.m.

The Wheeler Lake cleanup is made possible by a 2022 Action Grant from the Hilton Global Foundation. The grants are awarded to organizations that have demonstrated a meaningful commitment to destination stewardship by improving travel destinations and creating a positive impact on the people and communities they serve. The grant covers the cost of supplies such as trash bags, gloves, litter grabbers, safety items and first-aid kits for volunteers.

“AMLA markets and promotes the many outdoor recreation opportunities Wheeler Lake affords us, such as boating, canoeing and fishing,” said AMLA President and CEO Tami Reist. “The cleanup will help preserve wildlife habitat and protect our natural resources for future generations to enjoy while also raising awareness about the problem of litter and encouraging everyone to do their part no matter where they live or where they travel.”

Participants are asked to meet at the pavilion in Point Mallard Park at 8 a.m. for a brief program and instructions. A limited number of supplies, such as gloves and trash bags, will be provided. The event will be held rain or shine.

Weigh-ins will be held at the pavilion and cash prizes of $500, $300 and $150 will be awarded to three individuals bringing in the most trash in weight.

Community members interested in volunteering at the clean-up are asked to sign up here by Sept. 25. Volunteers will receive a lunch and t-shirt while supplies last.

A virtual event, hosted by Chad Hoover and Kayak Bass Fishing, will be held along with the Sept. 30 cleanup. For more details and to sign up for the virtual clean-up, visit www.kayakbassfishing.com/cleanup.

Hoover is the founder and president of KBF, a nationwide kayak bass fishing tournament trail and the host of Chad Hoover Fishing for YouTube and television. In 2022, he established his national headquarters for KBF in Huntsville and Ditto Landing. For more information, visit www.kayakbassfishing.com.

The Wheeler Lake cleanup is held in conjunction with the North Alabama Trails and Recreation Fest (NATR Fest), hosted by Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers and Valleys RCD. A one-day event showcasing North Alabama’s outdoor recreation scene, NATR Fest features exhibitors, activities including kayaking, archery and climbing, gear sales, an adventure vehicle showcase, backpacking 101 class, wildlife shows, activities for children, food trucks and more and is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Point Mallard Park Expo Pavilion, located at 2901 Point Mallard Circle SE in Decatur. Admission is $5 per person for 13 years and older. Admission is free for 12 and under and for those who volunteer with the AMLA Wheeler Lake cleanup. For more information, visit natrails.org/natrfest for more information on the festival.