Spring Cleaning!

It’s that time of year again, isn’t it? The weather is breaking and more and more people are venturing out into our beautiful Pacific Northwest!

Just this past weekend I was driving on a forest road, you know those “2 lane” paved roads that really are just wide enough for 1 truck let alone two vehicles! They always make my knuckles white as another truck and I have to pass each other. Both have 2 wheels on the dirt edge and we still almost hit mirrors. I didn’t count but on the way down I easily encountered 15 other vehicles. This was around 2pm, I can’t imagine how busy the road was earlier in the day.

Now, think how much of an impact would be made on that area if everyone left something behind!

Maybe something like this?

To be honest; that place was the worst I have ever seen and hopefully the worst anyone has to ever see! Moving forward as we continue our work to restore and prevent public land from reach that point we’ve announced our cleanup locations for March, April, May & June.

I want to take a moment to thank all those who care enough to take a few minutes and report locations that are in need of our help! It can be easy to see it and forget about it, “out of sight out of mind” as the saying goes. We count on your input to keep up our efforts to keep Oregon & Washington beautiful!

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- March 27th, East of Salem in Silverfalls State park there is a recreational shooting area that needs cleaning. Google Maps Location

- April 24th (earth day is 22nd), I received an email from a Central Oregon hunter disgusted with dumping that’s taking place on public land where he hunts, including items like regular garbage and a hot tub.
Horse Butte Road FS RD 1815
China Hat Rd-FS RD 18
It’s SE of Bend in the Deschutes National Forest.

- May 15th, another group of local WA recreation shooters is requesting help on a cleanup they’re trying to organize;
Info: Gravel Pit Cleanup
Location: (North Fork Gravel Pit in Whatcom County)
Date: May 15, 2010
Time: 0830

- June 26th, I received report of an area near Pigsah Home Rd. in the hills about 5 miles west of Scappoose. Debris includes TVs, Propane tanks, wood frames, etc.

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While we were out and about in the forest this weekend Asha (Project Wilderness Secretary) and I found some wild Indian Plum.

The Indian Plum (Oemleria Cerasiformis) is generally described as a perennial tree or shrub. This dicot (dicotyledon) is native to the U.S. (United States) has its most active growth period in the spring and summer and fall . The Indian Plum has dark green foliage and inconspicuous white flowers, with a smattering of conspicuous black fruits or seeds. The greatest bloom is usually observed in the early spring, with fruit and seed production starting in the spring and continuing until summer. Leaves are not retained year to year. The Indian Plum has a short life span relative to most other plant species and a rapid growth rate. At maturity, the typical Indian Plum will reach up to 23 feet high, with a maximum height at 20 years of 34 feet. – GardenGuides.com

So in honor of spring flowers we’re holding a little contest! Send us your favorite picture of Pacific Northwest Flowers – wild or garden – and we’ll pick our favorite and give you a great prize from our collection of donations! Email them or post them on our facebook page;

ProjectWilderness@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/projectwilderness

Keep up the efforts and continue to let us know when natural landscape becomes not-so-natural.

Dominic Aiello
Founder & President

20 Volunteers & 11 Truck Loads – Capitol State Forest, WA

Entering the Cleanup Area

At first look you might think this is a landfill. However, just as I was, I’m sure you’ll be disappointed to know this is the “Triangle Gravel Pit” in the Capitol State Forest just west of Olympia, Washington. Our task: to go into an area where no Project Wilderness officer or board member have been and return the land back to the condition it deserves.

It all started on Sept. 13th. We began using our social media outlets to reach out for input on the next cleanup location. One outlet used received a large outcry for assistance at the Triangle Pit.  After research and discussion with Nick at the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources we learned that this is a problematic location for the DNR. Because of this area the DNR successfully lobbied for new legislation no longer allowing “debris” shooting on public lands in Washington State. After talking with Nick I knew Project Wilderness needed to get out and help restore this site.

Saturday morning Oct. 24th,  4:10 am. Beep beep beep, that’s the sound of an unwelcome alarm clock. The truck had largely been loaded the night before with chairs, table, event canopy (we expected rain considering it’s Oct.), first aid kit, lots of garbage bags, water and gloves.  The only thing left to load was the tasty pulled pork lunch that was cooked on the treager grill the night before. Leaving Portland behind us for the weekend we begin crossing the Interstate bridge, only to be stopped by the flashing lights indicating the bridge was going to be raised for a large boat. However, after a twenty minute wait the only boat observed crossing under the bridge (not even at the lifted section) was a small fishing boat. Figuring someone else was laughing at us from an observation point, we laughed and kept driving once the bridge lowered.

We arrived at the designated meeting point a few minutes before 8 am in the Capitol Forest. Joining us a few minutes later were Nick & Kyle both from Washington DNR as was Larry Raedel, Chief Law Enforcement Officer. After some introductions & unloading we began working. The chief even helped out. After carrying a computer monitor he looked down at his wet pants commenting, “the monitor leaked on me”.

Nick Cronquist, DNR & Dominic Aiello, Project Wilderness

Dominic Aiello, Project Wilderness & Larry Raedel, Chief Law Enforcement

Through out the day we collected a refrigerator, cut car roof, several televisions, countless computer monitors, dozens of propane tanks, a microwave and sadly Clifford the red dog, Scooby Doo & Snoopy. Who executes our childhood cartoon favorites?

Poor Clifford

As the day rolled on, we were loading up the last two truck loads of garbage bound for dumpster provided by DNR when the comedic highlight of the day unfolded. One of the trucks transporting garbage became stuck in deep loose gravel. Luckily we had tow straps so not to worry, my Ford Ranger (significantly smaller truck) came to the rescue.  Good thing it was loaded with garbage as I’m sure it helped with traction!

Through the day lots of recreation users showed up looking to use the area. However the site was officially closed for the day, due to the cleanup. Each time the potential land user was offered a pair of gloves to help out. Unfortunately each response in so many words was no.  Of course we all have limited time for ourselves, but the lesson here is if we each spent just a couple more minutes not only cleaning up after ourselves but pitching in to collect something left by others, areas like this would no longer be an issue.  Wrapping up, 20 volunteers spent a total of 7 hours loading up 11 truck loads of garbage. The area was not immaculate at the end of the day, but I’m sure you’ll agree it looks amazing in comparison.

Gathering the last of the bags.

Dominic Aiello

Founder & President

www.projectwilderness.org

www.facebook.com/projectwilderness

www.twitter.com/prowilderness