A few months ago I met Johnny, creator of @pickupone on Instagram. I started following his account and really fell in love with all he is doing. As I’m sure you are aware I’m a huge nature freak, so it’s no wonder I’m on board with this! This is Johnny Pawluk doing his part to help keep nature beautiful and wild for everyone and spreading awareness along the way.
Heres me a couple months ago on a climbing trip out to Yosemite and Mammoth. A group of my friends and I camped near the local hot springs to enjoy the Meteor shower along with dozens of others. It’s no secret that places like these see a lot of people and gatherings like this. We have a major problem, especially here in California, with people leaving garbage and waste behind and these historic and sacred places are being graffitied on, abused, trashed, exploited and destroyed. Nothing makes me more angry than seeing people disrespect nature by trashing it!
In efforts to do our part, we always bring extra trash bags wherever we go and never miss an opportunity to clean up and leave the places we love better than we found them. This is me the morning after cleaning up the hot springs before we headed out.
This is our home, our backyard, Malibu Creek. Our group of friends were all planning to meet up for a day of climbing, so I proposed an idea. How about we bring some bags and gloves and give Malibu Creek a little clean up?! I was overwhelmed by how excited everyone was to join in and pick up trash with me! Is it any wonder they are my friends!
About 13 of us all headed out to the crag and spent the whole day climbing, laughing, and cheering each other on. The energy was incredible!
I love my friends!!!
At the end of our climbing day we packed up our gear, put on some gloves and hiked out picking up every piece of trash we could find. Malibu Creek is notorious for getting trashed by the many people who frequent the swimming hole and hiking areas.
Climbing gear on our backs we pulled garbage out of the water and bushes.
We took out 3 Diapers!!!!! Yuck!
On our hike out alone we collected over 6 bags of trash! (some members of the group left before the photo). I couldn’t believe how stoked everyone was to pick up trash. It really made my heart smile. Since then we have done several climb and clean ups, and always carrying an extra bag just in case.
I encourage all of you to take charge and make a difference. Big or small, we all can do something. Just since this day I’ve been asked so many times “how do I join something like this?” or “Where do I sign up to do this?”. The answer is anytime you want! All it takes is one person, one idea, one action to set the wheel in motion. You are enough. Pick up one anytime you are out. Pick up more than one if you can! Together we can bring awareness and really make a difference.
Perfect
Love it.
Great post April. I can’t believe that the amount of trash in such historic parks in CA are like this and moreover that people in today’s world are such disrespectful pigs – for lack of a better word. Here in IL at the parks in general, but in the main state parks, at the visitor centers they make all well aware of the rules about trash, cleaning up after ones self, etc and seen on the trails have big signs by the garbage cans indicating “This is the last trash can / recycling bin, please dispose of your waste / recycling here before you enter”. They also give rewards (and trash bags) to any person (emphasizing on kids) to anyone who asks (big sign indicating such at the desk) for a bag to bring along on the hike. As such, the parks are pretty pristine and as undisturbed and unharmed as can be, given the high volume of people who hike thru them. Thanks for making people aware, and one person (or small group) can make a difference!
Reblogged this on Green Living 4 Live.