April 22nd ~ Near Running Springs, CA
Piles of broken plastic sleds
As fate would have it, I just happened to see this post inviting the mountain-top residents to participate in the Earth Day clean-up.
Since Tim and I did not have anything already planned, we figured it was a great opportunity to give back to our community, get some fresh air and exercise and perhaps meet a few more of our neighbors – win, win, win.
Our meeting point was right across the street from the Snow Valley ski resort. It was well-coordinated with adequate parking, plenty of large bright orange garbage bags, water, directions to where to begin and around 200 energetic volunteers.
Earth Day Check-in
What was particularly bothersome was the large number of plastic sleds that had shattered when being used and were simply left behind or tossed in the bushes. The remnants constituted the largest bulk of what we gathered.
With summer vacation and holidays right around the corner, I hope this will also be a gentle reminder to those of you who are blessed to be able to enjoy the great outdoors to PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pickup after yourselves. The old saying of “pack it in, pack it out” still holds tremendous value. Let’s leave Mother Nature pristine!
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for the large number of volunteers who showed up to help clean up our mountain. They came from as far away as Arizona and San Diego. I appreciate the hard work and willing attitude that was presented. I also am thankful that plans are underway to provide netted dump bins for next year where broken sleds can be deposited which will hopefully keep our forest cleaner in the future.
A Note From Abroad 
I am appalled at how little care we take of our environment and grateful to people like you who help clean it up.
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I was sad at the condition of the forest, but grateful to the many volunteers who showed up to help. Hoping people will take steps to prevent this in the future.
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That’s really great that you participated in such a clean up, and how sad there were so many broken sleds left behind. My family participated in our city clean up day and we were saddened by how few volunteers showed up, plus the littering of beer cans and smashed beer bottles in the ditches and alongside the roads. It really is a shame.
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Yes, along the roadway is really bad, especially after a holiday weekend. Hoping more people will participate in the future as that helps people take ownership in finding solutions.
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But why do people use the mountain to go up and down by sledding. Can’t they just enjoy the mountain by walking up and down. I don’t get it.
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I haven’t been sledding for many years, but I remember having quite a bit of fun as a youngster. I don’t mind the sledders, just want them to be respectful and clean up after themselves.
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It is so sad what day trippers do to this beautiful mountain. I just don’t understand this mentality. It happens down here at the beaches also. These people would never treat their houses this way, why do they think this is acceptable. Thanks for giving back and cleaning up this trash.
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Terry, I know it is a problem at the beaches as well as our mountains. I don’t have a solution, but I remain hopeful that there will be a “switch” in our group mentality at some point, where more and more will defend Mother Earth. I just hope it does not tip past the point of redemption first.
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Sadly, some of them probably do treat their houses that way and think nothing of it. I do wish people would think before they leave trash laying around.
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Me too 😢
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Whenever we go for hikes we always take a spare garbage bag and it always comes back more than half full. Sometimes I wonder about humans.
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I think that is a great idea to stick a trash bag in my backpack or purse when we head out for a hike. Thank you for the suggestion. Maybe we can improve the world, one person at a time. I know I’m willing to do my part 😃
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for looking after the planet we share. Your efforts are so appreciated.
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Glad we have our health and could lend a hand. Feeling blessed and grateful!
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Thank you for helping clean up that little part of the world. Wish people would be more respectful. You would think that those who enjoy playing in the area would take better care of it, wouldn’t you?
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We are such a throwaway society. What are parents teaching their kids about respect for the land and packing out what they pack in? I don’t live in CA, but I’m so glad there are people like the volunteers in this post that are willing and want to clean up the mess left by others. Thanks to you volunteers, there and all over the globe.
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I appreciated that several of the volunteers brought their children with them. Making it a family event when volunteering is a GREAT way to help teach the next generation how to be better stewards of our land.
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Thank you and all the volunteers for taking the time to do this! I totally agree with you that we are so lucky to be able to enjoy the great outdoors, and picking up after ourselves is such a small price to pay.
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Well put Caroline!
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After spending the last month traveling the southwest National Parks and monuments, I’m appalled and worried for our planet. The disrespectful way people leave trash, throw out bottles to shatter on the road side, dog feces everywhere, it’s awful. Thank you for being part of the solution! It’s going to take a lot of us to change the collective mindset, and getting kids involved is a great start.
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We all need to be a part of the solution.
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I neglected to say, we’re picking up too! 😊
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Thank you for doing that!
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