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NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - El Cajon,California,USA

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El Cajon,California,USA
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Neely321



Registered: November 2020
City/Town/Province: El Cajon
Posts: 1
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"One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken" (Leo Tolstoy). I was born and raised in the city of El Cajon, California. I have always been connected to nature throughout my life whether it be gazing at the passing shrubbery when going on walks or family camping trips, nature has always been a part of my life in one form or another. The nature that I have grown up around has always been tainted by the fellow man through waste or just the lack of reason to care for the environment. This undeniable fact is the reason why I have chosen to do the Apprentice Ecologist Project.
The area that I chose to do my project was in El Cajon around my neighborhood where I have always seen an abundance of waste. The location itself was not very big ,only about 3 to 4 miles, but the need for clean up was very prominent. With the idea of a location in my mind I set out to find the best possible route to maximize the efficiency of waste clean up. The area in which I live is a suburb with houses stretching as far as the eye can see.
I started my venture with a wagon full of bags and my trusty garbage grabber. I walked about half a mile when I realized that this was going to be much longer than I first anticipated with having to stop every few steps to safely collect trash. I quickly returned home and decided to come up with a new plan that involved the help of my family and friends. I reached out to them in hopes of at least doubling the speed at which we could collect trash and I was blown away with the result. After it was all said and done we managed to pick up all of the trash in just one day. What would have taken me by myself two to three days took the five of us less than half that time.
The area where I live consists of an enormous amount of storm drains which is trouble when it rains. These storm drains do not feed into a sewer system so all of the garbage and waste ends up in the ocean. Not only does picking up this trash help take care of the ocean but it takes care of the community around me. My neighborhood has always been plagued with litter from the homeless or just random pedestrians worrying about themselves over the impact that they are making. I believe that by picking up the trash that is just around the corner will help to inspire the people around me to do what little they can.
This project that I conducted will definitely help the environment. By not allowing the trash to go into the storm drains it keeps the ocean cleaner which is a vital ecosystem to the entire planet. The overflowing waste in the ocean kills thousands of aquatic animals every year all because people can't dispose of waste in a non harmful manner.
This project has been eye opening for me and just the sheer amount of waste I have produced in my lifetime pegs me with guilt. I have been inspired to carefully dispose of all trash I make to the best of my ability. I will not stop here, I will continue to spread the word about cleaning up the environment and they can start just outside the front door.
· Date: November 11, 2020 · Views: 2375 · File size: 9.4kb, 1763.5kb · : 1242 x 2208 ·
Hours Volunteered: 24
Volunteers: 3
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 16-60
Area Restored for Native Wildlife (hectares): 1035
Trash Removed/Recycled from Environment (kg): 6.8
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