Carry In, Carry Out

One of the easiest and most helpful actions you can take to protect our habitats and wildlife is to always carry in, carry out. Taking an active role in ensuring you remove all waste that you bring to a park, beach or any natural area is tremendously beneficial to staff and property owners as well. Any non-profit, municipal, state, or federal staff time can be spent in far better ways than cleaning up garbage, especially in 2020 with COVID-19. You will also help maintain a better natural appearance and encourage others who may not be as environmentally-minded to clean up after themselves so as to not detract from the aesthetic appeal. It will decidedly reduce dangerous human and wildlife interactions.

When it comes to AAfCW, removal of all trash greatly reduces the presence and threat of predators on our beaches and islands. Gulls, crows, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, and more all congregate near trash, checking these food sources frequently, then venturing into nesting areas. They become a distraction and a direct threat to endangered species, forcing our birds into constant vigilance at best and losing young, eggs and adults at worst.

This photo from a couple years ago at Silver Sands State Park is an example of why many natural areas - and in some cases, entire states - do not provide waste receptacles. They become filled rapidly, with people contributing outside trash and creating a mess, attracting predators and requiring cleaning by staff. In this case, you'll notice the container is meant for hot coals, not garbage, yet visitors selfishly decided to throw their trash and contribute to littering.

I hope it is not too much to expect folks to clean up after themselves, leave waste at home, or carry out what you carry in when visiting a natural area.

Scott Kruitbosch
AAfCW Volunteer Coordinator
RTPI Manager of Connecticut Programs