Wildlife Refuge Seeking Volunteers for Flood Cleanup

Damage from recent flooding can be seen along the tour road looking west from Tuff Ramp at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian.

Staff of the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian have begun assessing the damage the flood waters have had on the area.

Damage has been found from the Stony Point Ramp to the Sandtown Nature Trailhead area to the Horton Slough Nature Trail, and all along the tour road, according to Chad Ford, outdoor recreational planner at the refuge.

“We've been making posts about the damage and people have been commenting that they would love to help us out,” Ford said.

For those willing to help the refuge with some of the recovery operations, a work day will take place Tuesday, June 11. Volunteers should meet at the refuge headquarters at 8 a.m.

Ford said after volunteers are signed up that morning and a plan of action is in place, the work will begin by clearing the tour road, where debris, trees and branches have accumulated and will need to be removed before maintenance staff can begin adding gravel and grading.

“Right now, our main focus is to go around the road and remove the debris and logs that have washed over the tour road,” Ford explained, adding that with the actual loop and other roads, approximately six to eight miles of road will need to be cleared.

Ford suggests that volunteers dress appropriately; they ask volunteers to wear long pants, use sunscreen or clothing or hats to protect against the sun, and bring leather work gloves if available. He also urges volunteers to wear closed-toe shoes; do not wear open-toe shoes.

Questions can be sent to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Facebook page.

Ford said the staff appreciates any assistance in the cleanup.

“Considering what we’ve lost, some people have lost everything,” Ford said. “Our loss of things at the refuge is not as bad as what some people face, and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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