The Great Clean Up

Have traveled 60,000 miles in thirteen states I have seen a lot of beautiful places...and a lot of trash where trash does not belong. I have written many times about how I believe that spending time in nature is crucial to mental health; access to our public lands is a privledge, a privledge we should treat with respect. Sadly, many people do not. Not only is bad on an emotional level, it is also negative on a practical level: If we keep trashing public lands, more and more acres will be removed from our use.

Two and a half years ago I was spending a couple of days in one of my usual camping spots. The more I walked around, the more trash I saw. I got a garbage bag and my trash grabber from the van and started pickup up the wrappers, beer cans, and other detris. I'd pick up trash for fifteen minutes and then go on a walk only to find more trash so I grabbed the bag again and made another circuit. After three times out I was growing frustrated, it felt like I was barely making a dent in it. I was frustrated but determined; maybe instead of getting a job I should spend the summer returning to all the places I've been and pick up trash.

I could not find a practical way to do that in 2021 nor in 2022, there was the necessity to get a job. My problem was I saw this project---The Great Clean Up---as "all of nothing" from the go; now I see an alternate/more practical approach: I am going to start doing this on the weekends (or on trips). I will take photos, shoot video, and put up blogs to share my progress. Eventually, I will publish a Patreon page and ask for donations so I can transition to doing it for a couple of months full time. First, though, I have to show that I am serious about this, that I am willing to invest my own time and money in this project before asking people for theirs.

If you value our public lands and are disturbed by all the trash you see, be sure to follow this blog and my YouTube and Instagram channels (links below).

Thanks, IDD

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@izaakdaviddiggs/featured

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idtao40/