Since its founding in 2023, Venture Unknown Foundation has removed over 70,000 pounds from designated trails and campsites throughout the Southeastern United States. September 7th, 2024, the 3rd annual SWEEP UP THE SOUTHEAST (SUTS) will gather 13 teams in 12 National Forests across 10 States to surpass over 100,000 pounds of trash removed.
VUF Chairman, Sean Clark, sees SUTS as an opportunity for stewardship and community, “We’re committed to improving public lands in our National Forests through action. Our initiatives like “Sweep up the Southeast” have removed 75,000 lbs of trash since 2022 with the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Our goal is to foster collaboration and education to protect our public lands.”
To date, SUTS has seen over 150 miles of trails cleaned and restored. 2,500 man-hours of hard work from dedicated volunteers and over 300 tires removed from public land. The project also fosters relationships with the US Forest Service, community leaders, and like-minded individuals, expanding the reach and impact on forest lands.
SUTS24 will be fielding teams in Croatan NF (North Carolina), Mark Twain NF (Missouri), Ocala NF (Florida), Cherokee NF and Land Between the Lakes NRA (Tennessee), Chattahoochee-Oconee NF (Georgia), Daniel Boone NF (Kentucky), George Washington & Jefferson NF (Virginia), Kisatchie NF (Louisiana), Talladega NF (Alabama) and both Sumter and Francis Marion NF (South Carolina).
Our 2024 event is possible with the support and partnership of onX Offroad through their Adventure Forever Grants and in partnership with Polaris and their Trails Grant. onX Adventure Forever Grant is an opportunity for nonprofits, land trusts, tribal nations, and other community groups to unlock funding for six project types. One of these project types is “Restore Trails and Riding Areas” for trash clean-up efforts like SUTS24. Polaris, through its TRAILS GRANTS program, provides funds to organizations that promote safe and reasonable riding, support trail preservation, and help protect the environment and natural resources that are a part of the off-road trail system.
Venture Unknown Foundation is a steadfast beacon of stewardship, committed to preserving the heart of our natural world. As a nonprofit 501c3 organization, our mission is crystal clear: we exist to be guardians of our outdoor and overland community, guided by the principles of exploration, education, and encouragement. In a world where our beautiful public lands are at risk of neglect, our foundation stands as a champion for their preservation and conservation.
For more information, please visit www.ventureunknownfoundation.org or contact our Communications Director, Brandon Falls at 704-807-0435 or at brandon@ventureunknownfoundation.org