Every year around this time, Tennessee State Parks officials and an army of volunteers do a little spring cleaning. On Saturday, March 2, the folks at nearby Tims Ford State Park will be one of 36 parks to participate in the annual Weed Wrangle, part of a national effort to remove invasive plants from public spaces.

The Weed Wrangle is a nationwide movement for volunteers to help rescue public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants. The state is a partner in the Weed Wrangle program with the Garden Club of America.  

The Tims Ford State Park event will kick off on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Visitors Center. Volunteers will work near the paved trail from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Work gloves and tools will be provided, but volunteers should bring their own water and wear closed-toed shoes.

Volunteers must be at least 10 years old and those interested can follow this link to register and fill out the volunteer waiver. Tennessee Promise students may use the Weed Wrangle for community service requirements for the college financial assistance program.

Old Fort State Park in Manchester, and Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill also plan Weed Wrangle events for Saturday. A link for details of the event at each participating state park can be found here. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally-owned and locally-operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. It’s published by a native and current resident with over 20 years of journalism experience. If you’d like to support local folks writing local stories about local people, please consider subscribing, by clicking here.}