Environmental Education Field Trips

Keep Blount Beautiful offers field trips to City of Alcoa, City of Maryville, and Blount County schools as well as homeschool groups, scout troops, and other community groups. See below to learn more and click the button to schedule.

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to take your students on a field trip for free by applying for an Environmental Education Field Trip Scholarship. The scholarship will pay for transportation costs and any other costs associated with field trips. Click the link to learn more and apply.

BLOUNT COUNTY LANDFILL TOUR

240 Long Powers Rd. Friendsville

The Blount County Landfill tour is a great way for students to learn about the life cycle and impact of their trash. On this field trip, students are transported through the landfill to see with their own eyes what it looks like and how it works. Students will learn about the scale house, incinerator, demolition and household waste, different landfill cells, and collection systems.
Grade Level- K-12th , Approx. 45 minutes

Notes: The Blount County Landfill tour is limited to one busload/vanload. Groups must provide their own transportation. 1-2 KBB representatives will need to be at the front of the vehicle and the driver will need to drive throughout the landfill. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend. The landfill tour can be paired with the Eco Center Field Trip if desired (1st-7th grade only).

ECO CENTER FIELD TRIP

1421 Middlesettlements AVe. Maryville

At the Eco Center, students participate in engaging lessons on either waste management or water quality in an outdoor environment.  This trip can be followed by the Blount County Landfill tour/Blount County Recycling Center tour or scheduled on it’s own.
Grade level- K-5th, approx. 1-2 Hours

Note: The Eco Center is generally limited to 40 students, but feel free to fill out the scheduling form and we can discuss your situation.

BLOUNT COUNTY RECYCLING CENTER TOUR

331 Levi St. maryville

A tour of the Blount County Recycling Center is a great way to learn about how/what/where to recycle and Blount County’s achievements in recycling collection. Students and adults will learn about single stream recycling, glass recycling, and household hazardous waste collection from the Blount County Highway Department.
Grade level- K-12th + Adult, approx. 1.5 hours

Note: The Blount County Recycling Center tour is only offered on Mondays. This is a walking tour generally limited to 40 people, but feel free to fill out the scheduling form and we can discuss your situation. Parking is available for a bus, van, and/or multiple cars.

WATERFEST

1421 Middlesettlements Ave. Maryville

WaterFest is an annual water education event offered to 3rd grade classrooms. WaterFest takes place at the Eco Center and features stations hosted by various organizations. Students rotate through the stations to learn about water quality, stormwater runoff, water treatment, watersheds, and more.
Grade level- 3rd, 2 hours

Note: WaterFest is provided once a year and is limited to 2-4 schools depending on class size. This year, WaterFest is held on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024.

Pistol Creek Wetland Day

1951 Montvale Station Rd. Maryville

Pistol Creek Wetland Day is an annual event hosted at the Pistol Creek Wetland Center featuring stations hosted by various organizations. Students rotate through the stations to learn about wetlands, biodiversity, water quality, and more.
Grade level- 2nd-5th, 1 hour

Note: Pistol Creek Wetland Day is provided once a year and limited to 2 schools.