I live in a beautiful area of the US. I mean, it's so beautiful that people come here for vacation. Let me be clear, that this is not just a problem here. I think it stands out more though here. I mean, sunrises and sunsets are picturesque. The sounds of the river flowing is therapeutic. But the trash... it's downright disgusting.
I have been out fishing and filled a grocery bag with the trash that was left out there. Old bottles of Powerbait, packages of live bait discarded, drink bottles, etc... you name it, it's there. Why on earth would anyone feel they have the right to litter? I can't figure this out. These places that are trashed are beautiful. Lakes surrounded by mountains, small streams so clear you can see to the bottom... even if they weren't beautiful, the world isn't our personal trash can!
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| Why would you want to leave litter here? |
People are always complaining that they can't fish for trout in many areas because landowners have said, "Enough is enough!" I don't blame the landowners. My parents live along the river. Yesterday, my sister and my kids walked along the road that is adjacent to the river and their property to pick up trash. They picked up
4- five gallon buckets of trash. They couldn't even get to the end of the property because the buckets were full. In this trash, there were: beer bottles, fast food bags, water bottles, and candy wrappers to name a few. I have even found a fishing license along the road before. Since their property is marked no trespassing, I find that interesting.
Listen, I'm no tree hugger, but this is ridiculous. Let's be a little more vigilant by doing the following things:
#1- Do not, by any means, leave fishing line on the shore of any body of water. It's dangerous to animals who get entangled in it. Put it in your tackle box or the pocket of whatever you are wearing. Throw it out when you get home.
#2- If you brought it with you, take it back. There should be no packaging left. If it had product in it, you surely wouldn't leave it!
#3- If you see some litter, pick it up. It will take you all of a couple minutes and it will not end up in the water later. Clean water is what we all want, right?
#4- Teach your kids to do the same. Leaders lead by example. I know my kids hate to see litter when we are out enjoying nature, because they see the various forms of garbage that have been dumped on my parents property, which have included- toilets, refrigerators, numerous deer carcasses (
yes, that's littering you didn't choose to leave the carcass on your property did you), electrical wiring, and tires of various sizes just to name a few.
Hey, if we just live like a Cub Scout, I think it will solve the problem! My son learned these rules when he was a scout:
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/resources/LeavenoTrace.aspx