My last post detailed my recent excursions that showed me the damage in my neighborhood but today I did something about it; I got out before 8 this morning and cleaned it all up. The cleanup only took about 45 minutes and I can back with over 100 empty bottles of alcohol that were scattered all across the field. I picked up paper and plastic as well that had clung to the native plants but one cactus was a little too much for me and the waste was snug firmly on the thousands of thorns.
I pricked my fingers a dozen times in my first three attempts to free the trash from the cactus but the few pieces I could free snagged into smaller pieces that blew into the breeze. Unfortunately much of that trash was left on the plant but I will come back with gloves and clippers to free it all from the prickly thorns so the animals don't ingest it and I don't have to see the decorated plant on my morning walk each day.
Of course every single item I picked up is recyclable and the bottles actually will bring me money come tomorrow when the recycling center opens in the morning. It was a small gesture I made to not just drive by or walk by; but do something about the litter I saw. We've all sped past litter of Cheeto bags on the side of the road, soda cans, and plastic bags, but so few of us ever bother to stop and pick it up. I don't like seeing the garbage all over my neighborhood so I clean it up.
Everything I picked up today will be recycled tomorrow morning and the CRV will even give me a little pocket money for my efforts. A small act is a huge act and every little thing you do matters.
My journey doesn't end today as there are always lots of wildlife that need to be cleaned up and I will be here to do so; feel free to join me here or across the country anytime.
