Volunteers Rally at Salt River for National Public Lands Day Cleanup
On a sunny Saturday, scores of volunteers convened along the banks of the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest to participate in a significant cleanup effort, marking National Public Lands Day. This annual event emphasizes the importance of maintaining and beautifying public spaces across the nation.
Held at the Phon D. Sutton recreation area, the cleanup was one of more than 700 events orchestrated nationwide. The initiative was organized by Natural Restorations in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, continuing a tradition of over ten years.
Nicole Corey, the executive director of Natural Restorations, highlighted the critical impact of even the smallest pieces of litter. “One of the Salt River wild horses died in 2022 choking on plastic debris,” Corey explained. “So even the smallest amount matters. I’m sure we’ll probably have over 1,000 pounds of trash and invasive plants removed by the end of the day.”
The cleanup attracted a diverse group of participants, including representatives from companies, schools, churches, and recreational groups. Corey emphasized the educational aspect of the event: “This is how people get to build the connection with nature and understand what it takes to preserve it,” she said. “And so, by bringing people out here today to see what they can do to help preserve our public lands and keep access to them, I think it’s really important to show that to the public that we do have to maintain them and treat them with respect if we want them to be here for future generations.”
First-time volunteer Kendra Smith expressed her motivation for joining the cleanup, saying, “I feel like we’re on this big, beautiful Earth, so why not respect it and give it back so that we have it for more generations.” Smith discovered various items of trash, including candy wrappers, cigarette butts, and even a folding chair, reaffirming her commitment to leaving no trace behind. “We need to respect our land, and I feel like if we use it, we might as well give it respect and pick up little things here and there,” she added.
As the day concluded, the collective efforts of the volunteers not only made a tangible difference to the environment but also fostered a deeper connection to and appreciation for public lands.
