These scarred landscapes, created by our complete disregard for nature, are a scourge. This section of the 5 Freeway just North of Pyramid Lake is a truly beautiful stretch of mountain pass, except for the amazing amount of trash that litters the side of the road. Unfortunately, it’s not just the sides of freeways. It’s city streets, the trails near me, even this otherwise beautiful community where we live.

I remember a Saturday morning when the kids were in elementary school. We took a walk around our neighborhood, just picking up any trash we found. We filled something like three large trash bags within a half-mile of our doorstep. Awareness campaigns win awards, but the behavior doesn’t seem to change.