We see it every day.  Whether we're hiking, driving to work, walking in our neighborhood or on vacation at the beach, we see litter.

 The statistics on litter alone are enough to make each of us feel a little overwhelmed.  We might find ourselves asking questions like, "What is the point? and "What can I really do?".  When it comes right down to it, each of us can save one animal, one piece of sidewalk, one stretch of our neighborhood, one length of a hiking trail at a time just by choosing to pick up trash.

Almost a decade ago, a doctor whom I admired told me he moved from Canada to Lubbock, TX to study with a particular professor. While there, the only place he connected with nature was a nearby overcrowded lake.  He saw an inordinate amount of trash each time he went.  To remedy his agitation, he decided to fill one large bag each visit. Something about the tone of his story resonated with me.  From that moment, I made it my mantra to pick up trash.  Two things resulted:  One, I felt better about myself for being proactive rather than complaining about people littering.  Two, I inspired others by setting the example.

I make it a habit to keep trash bags in my car, suitcase, purse and backpack. I take several with me on every hike and road trip.  It may seem a small endeavor, but these small endeavors add up.  I like to participate in community clean-ups, but really, I get more satisfaction from picking up little amounts wherever I go.  Even if I am in a parking lot, I make it my practice to pick up trash and recycle whatever I can when I get home.  If every single person did this, or at least many of us, imagine the consequences.

  There is a popular belief that ‘like attracts like’.  If a place, any place, is full of trash, more people are likely to dump trash there.  If it is pristine, however, it is far less probable. There will always be people who litter.  Why do they do this?  Focusing on the why is far less productive than focusing on what I or anyone else can do to make a difference.  Every place is our place on Earth and, in essence, our own back yard.  I treat every place I go with respect in the same way I would my own home. You never know who you might inspire because they witness your actions.  Small gestures of honoring our surroundings and nature and community make a huge difference to the people and animals living there.  There is dignity in making a hiking trail or campsite or lakeshore cleaner for those who follow. It also has a huge impact on the plants and animals, providing them with a safer, cleaner environment.

 I encourage you to help clean up our landscapes and protecting our wildlife and vegetation in the process.  Each piece of litter picked up makes a difference and may just inspire others to join in the effort.

For more information, visit the Keep America Beautiful website.