The Chattanooga Department of Public Works joined with Hamilton Place and The Conversation Kid, Cash Daniels, to remove litter from the Friar Branch Stream on Monday. Over 40 bags of litter, several grocery carts, and other large debris were collected and removed from the stream. 

Cash Daniels, a nine-year-old aquatic conservationist, stole the hearts of Hamilton Place’s management team when he and his younger brother, Colt, entered the shopping center’s student art competition. The theme was Not All Heroes Wear Capes, and Cash won third place with his painting of Steve Irwin. The caption read, “The message is simple: love and conserve our wildlife.” Colt won first place with his painting of his hero - his older brother, Cash.

Cash is a hero not only to his brother but has gained national acclaim for his conservation efforts - including a social media shout out from actor Mark Wahlberg. From winning awards, to teaching other kids to presenting to the city council, he’s spread the word far and wide. He’s also launched his own company selling sustainable items and written a book, One Small Piece. After seeing the trash collecting in the stream that snakes around Hamilton Place’s campus, he’s leading the charge in cleaning it up this Public Works Week.

The Chattanooga Department of Public Works is committed to keeping our waterways clean and healthy. You can help us clean up areas around Chattanooga where there may be litter and illegal dumping by reporting it to 311. Download the app http://bit.ly/CHATT311-iOS or http://bit.ly/CHATT311Android, call 311 at 423-643-6311 or email 311@chattanooga.gov. 

"National Public Works Week, Sunday, May 19, through Friday, May 24, is a special week out of the year where we celebrate our Team’s accomplishments, give back to our community through multiple service projects and engage in some friendly competition," officials said. "This week also serves as a tool to energize and educate the public on the important role public works plays in their daily lives: planning, building, managing and operating in our community to improve everyday quality of life. Follow along on our Facebook and Twitter throughout the week for some special employee highlights and photos from the activities all week long."