Page 14 - March-April25 Vol42 No7

KEEP TENNESSEE RIVER BEAUTIFUL By Kathleen Gibi
Publix Becomes 2025 Title Sponsor:

Mission-Critical Cleanup Program

Publix Super Markets has become the Mile program so far, KTnRB has
official 2025 title sponsor for the Adopt connected with 123 individuals/groups
a River Mile program offered within the who have adopted 238 miles within
seven-state Tennessee River watershed the Tennessee River watershed. Those
by Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful™ adoptees have reported hosting 59
(KTnRB). cleanups on their own. Collectively, they
KTnRB is a 501c3 nonprofit and the have removed a total of 275,518.5 pounds
first Keep America Beautiful affiliate of manmade debris from the Tennessee
in the nation to focus solely on the River watershed.
river. The seven-state Tennessee For perspective, the Tennessee
River watershed is said to be the most River alone is 652 miles long, and the
biodiverse river system in North Tennessee River watershed is comprised
America. of 42,000 miles of rivers and streams.
Kathleen Gibi, KTnRB Executive “Publix is proud to be this year’s
Director, said the Adopt a River Mile title sponsor of the Adopt a River Mile
program is one of the most mission- program, which spans several states
critical programs they offer. “With a within our operating area,” said Publix
mission ‘to educate and inspire others to Director of Communications Maria
take action for the Tennessee River,’ we Brous. “As responsible citizens in the
consider our Adopt a River Mile program communities we serve, we are committed
the end game goal for our river cleanup to helping protect, conserve and restore
efforts,” she said. our waterways. Supporting Keep the
Impressive Stats: 275,518 Pounds of Tennessee River Beautiful is another way
we are doing good, together.”
Manmade Debris Removed Every participant in KTnRB’s Adopt a
In the lifetime of the Adopt a River River Mile program receives a package

14 TPW March/April 2025