At the top of our road, there's a sign that says No Littering and No Dumping. Yet, every day on my walk, I find something that doesn't belong, most often beer cans or bottles... sometimes soda cans, empty cigarette packages, snack food wrappings, styrofoam or paper cups.
Where is it coming from? Okay, I know... it's coming from People. But who? Who is tossing this stuff out their car window or leaving it lying around where the wind or animals can snatch it up (we don't get much traffic down here!) and what do they think happens to it?
After the recent floods, we could see someone had been dumping empty bottles and cans...and more. Looks like maybe a bottle of bubble bath...
The pond is clear again now, thank goodness... all the suds washed downstream to Lake Travis...
(Oh, wait! We drink that water, don't we?)
...well, actually it's still not clear, and we don't know why. Usually this time of year we can see 20 feet down - but even though the surrounding ponds are clear, ours isn't. You can barely see these big rocks - what's keeping it so foggy?
We're hoping the tadpoles, minnows, dragon- and damselflies we see enjoying the pond are signs that it's still healthy...
The Boy Scouts have a saying that I've always liked... "Leave it better than you found it."
I can't do much about the pond, but a few weeks ago I took a trash bag with me on my walk and picked up all the trash I found; sad to say, I almost filled the bag, and it's only a half mile section.
Already, I'm noticing cans reappearing on the sides of the road.
There's so much we do that we think doesn't affect anyone else. But even just one of something can make a difference... one can, one wrapper... one person.
I challenge all of you to pay more attention to your trash - make sure it goes where it's supposed to go... and that means NOT on the ground (especially not on my road!) Truck drivers, clean out the beds of your trucks! People with yards, think about what you're putting on your lawn that soaks in deep or washes away.
Whew! Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening!
I'm grateful for people who recycle, re-use, throw their trash in proper receptacles, and try to 'leave it better than they found it'.
