Volunteers Clean Salt River for National Public Lands Day Event

In a collective effort to safeguard natural environments, numerous volunteers converged on the Salt River’s shores this past Saturday. Their mission: to clear debris and non-native species, marking National Public Lands Day.

The Salt River’s Phon D. Sutton recreation spot within Tonto National Forest became a hub of activity as part of the annual cleanup initiative. This event is part of a broader nationwide movement, with similar activities taking place in over 700 locations, as highlighted by Natural Restorations. The organization, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, has been organizing these cleanups for more than a decade.

Nicole Corey, the executive director of Natural Restorations, underscored the significance of every piece of litter. “One of the Salt River wild horses died in 2022 choking on plastic debris,” Corey mentioned. “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 event saw a diverse group of participants from various companies, educational institutions, religious congregations, and recreational organizations. Corey remarked on the fantastic volunteer turnout and emphasized the importance of understanding the stewardship required for public lands.

“This is how people get to build the connection with nature and understand what it takes to preserve it,” Corey 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.”

For some volunteers, like Kendra Smith, this was their inaugural experience. “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 expressed. Her commitment to the environment is evident as she practices a ‘leave no trace’ philosophy, even picking up litter on her hikes.

Smith shared her discoveries along the riverbank, including candy wrappers, cigarette butts, and even a folding chair, highlighting the variety of waste collected during the cleanup.