Even though the region was hit with inclement weather the first day of spring, warmer weather on the horizon means it’s almost time for beautification projects from Carter County Proud.

Ed Jordan, CCP founder, recently announced the organization will hold its first quarterly cleanup of Milligan Highway on Saturday, March 24, beginning at 10 a.m. with participants asked to meet at the Happy Valley Elementary School parking lot.

“We’re expecting a busy year,” Jordan said. “We’re starting off our projects with the quarterly cleanup. We’re encouraging anybody that wants to help with the project to stop by. We’ll have bags provided. It’s a great opportunity for the public to come out and help beautify the community.”

Milligan Highway is the organization’s adopted highway, sponsored by a program offered through the Tennessee Department of Transportation. During the last cleanup of 2017, CCP was able to enlist the efforts of Milligan College. The school has been an active supporter of the CCP with students lending a helping hand to a variety of projects.

Even with the last surge of wintry weather, local groups have been doing their part to help beautify the region. Jordan indicated the group was more than happy to help with the 4th annual Bill Beazell Memorial Cleanup. Sponsored by Overmountain Chapter Trout Unlimited, Jordan added there was roughly 70 volunteers out and about March 17 to clean up portions of Watauga River.

“Trout Unlimited and the River Apes were behind that project,” he said. “It was great to see everyone come together to help the area.”

While focus is shifted to this weekend’s cleanup, Jordan added the group has a few more projects lined up.

CCP will be lending a helping hand once again for the third annual Earth Day Cleanup, scheduled to take place April 21 at Covered Bridge Park. Like last year, Jordan added the group will be cleaning up the Elizabethton side of the Tweetsie Trail to help raise awareness for litter and recycling. Another project in April, according to Jordan, is the group’s partnership with Elizabethton Parks and Recreation to plant different types of shrubbery at a portion of the Tweetsie Trail near Mary Patton Highway.

For further updates from the group, follow the Carter County Proud Facebook page.