RESOURCES & LINKS
Tools, Grants & Organizations
A curated directory of national and regional organizations, funding opportunities, and toolkits for litter prevention and environmental stewardship in Southeast Tennessee.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
National Leaders in Litter Prevention
These organizations set the standard for litter prevention, environmental education, and community cleanup programs across the United States.
Keep America Beautiful
The nation's leading community improvement nonprofit. Provides cleanup toolkits, litter index methodology, and grant funding to local affiliates. Coordinates the Great American Cleanup each spring.
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
Science-based outdoor ethics education. Free trainer courses, curriculum downloads, and the 7 Principles framework used by the USDA Forest Service and National Park Service.
American Hiking Society
Advocates for trail access and stewardship. Hosts Volunteer Vacations — week-long trail maintenance trips on public lands including Cherokee National Forest.
Waterkeeper Alliance
Global network of waterway advocates. Connects local Waterkeeper organizations — including Tennessee Riverkeeper — with legal, scientific, and communications support.
EPA Trash-Free Waters Program
Federal program targeting litter that enters waterways. Provides research, toolkits, and funding for communities working to reduce aquatic litter.
Ocean Conservancy
Coordinates the International Coastal Cleanup — the world's largest single-day volunteer effort. Data collected feeds global litter research and policy.
TENNESSEE & REGIONAL
Closer to Home
State agencies, regional nonprofits, and Cherokee National Forest programs serving Southeast Tennessee directly.
Keep Tennessee Beautiful
State affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Administers the Litter Grant Program, coordinates county affiliates, and runs the annual Tennessee Litter Index survey.
TDEC Clean Tennessee Program
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's litter prevention and cleanup arm. Manages the Clean Tennessee Energy Grants and coordinates illegal dump site remediation.
TDOT Adopt-A-Highway Program
Adopt a stretch of Tennessee state highway. TDOT provides safety equipment and collects filled bags. Open to groups, businesses, schools, and families.
Cherokee National Forest — Ocoee-Hiwassee District
USDA Forest Service district covering Polk and Bradley counties. Coordinates trail stewardship, volunteer cleanup events, and Leave No Trace programming in the Ocoee River corridor.
Tennessee Riverkeeper
Watchdog nonprofit protecting the Tennessee River watershed. Monitors water quality, pursues enforcement against polluters, and organizes river cleanup events.
Tennessee Clean Water Network
Statewide advocacy organization for clean water policy. Publishes water quality reports, tracks legislative issues, and funds on-the-ground monitoring.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy — Southern Region
Manages the AT through the southern Appalachians. Coordinates trail crew volunteers, stewardship education, and Leave No Trace outreach along the corridor.
Chattanooga Audubon Society
Organizes habitat restoration and cleanup events in Hamilton County. Focuses on bird-friendly habitat and riparian corridor stewardship.
GRANTS & FUNDING
Fund Your Cleanup Project
These programs offer grants to community groups, nonprofits, schools, and local governments working on litter prevention and environmental cleanup in Tennessee.
Keep Tennessee Beautiful — Litter Grant Program
Annual grants to Tennessee nonprofits and local governments for litter prevention education, cleanup events, and anti-litter campaigns. Applications typically open in late summer.
TDEC Clean Tennessee Energy Grants
Supports projects that reduce waste and improve environmental quality in Tennessee communities. Includes funding for illegal dump site cleanup and litter abatement infrastructure.
Keep America Beautiful — Community Grants
National grant program for KAB affiliates and community organizations. Funds cleanup events, beautification projects, and litter prevention education programs.
EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving
Federal grants for community organizations addressing environmental and public health issues in underserved communities — including illegal dumping and litter in rural areas.
TOOLKITS & DOWNLOADS
Free Resources to Get Started
Downloadable guides, curricula, and planning tools from trusted organizations — free to use for community groups, schools, and local governments.
LNT 7 Principles Educator Guide
PDF / WebComprehensive curriculum for teaching Leave No Trace principles. Includes lesson plans, activities, and assessments for K–12 and adult audiences.
ACCESS RESOURCEKAB Cleanup Event Planning Guide
PDFStep-by-step guide to organizing a community cleanup — from site selection and volunteer recruitment to safety protocols and waste disposal logistics.
ACCESS RESOURCETDEC Illegal Dump Site Reporting Guide
WebTennessee-specific guide for documenting and reporting illegal dump sites to TDEC. Includes photo documentation tips and the online reporting portal.
ACCESS RESOURCEEPA Trash-Free Waters Toolkit
PDF / WebFederal toolkit for reducing litter entering waterways. Includes community assessment tools, best management practices, and case studies from similar regions.
ACCESS RESOURCEAHS Trail Stewardship Volunteer Guide
WebAmerican Hiking Society's guide to organizing trail maintenance and cleanup volunteer days. Covers tools, safety, and coordination with land managers.
ACCESS RESOURCETDOT Adopt-A-Highway Safety Manual
PDFRequired safety training for Adopt-A-Highway volunteers in Tennessee. Covers roadside safety, proper equipment use, and emergency procedures.
ACCESS RESOURCEReady to Take Action?
Browse our how-to guides for step-by-step cleanup instructions, or find a disposal site near you.