Community comes together to protect nature, keep Fort Stewart beautiful

By Ali Portis, CommentaryMarch 1, 2023

Fort Stewart youth volunteers clean up trash along one of the installation's walking trails, Feb. 25 on Fort Stewart, Georgia. The youth took it upon themselves to clean the area that had been heavily littered with trash in an effort to...
Fort Stewart youth volunteers clean up trash along one of the installation's walking trails, Feb. 25 on Fort Stewart, Georgia. The youth took it upon themselves to clean the area that had been heavily littered with trash in an effort to protect the area wildlife and keep the community beautiful. (Photo by Ali Portis) (Photo Credit: Photo by Ali Portis) VIEW ORIGINAL

A group of Fort Stewart youth gathered to take on trash pick-up along a frequently used trail on the north side of the installation this past weekend. The trash has been accumulating for some time in a field near dumpsters that are commonly used for depositing trash from all housing communities on post.

Not only was the trash an eyesore to the community, but it could also potentially cause adverse impacts to our environment. Trash can be blown about, ingested by wildlife, and pollute the nearby stream, all negatively impacting the ecosystem.

Youth volunteer, Rye Marsh expressed that he spent the day volunteering because he wanted to help the environment stay clean and protect our plants and animals.

Plastic material is caught in a tree along a popular walking trail on Fort Stewart, Georgia. Youth volunteers spent the day cleaning trash along the trail in an effort to protect area wildlife and keep the installation beautiful. (Photo by Ali...
Plastic material is caught in a tree along a popular walking trail on Fort Stewart, Georgia. Youth volunteers spent the day cleaning trash along the trail in an effort to protect area wildlife and keep the installation beautiful. (Photo by Ali Portis) (Photo Credit: Photo by Ali Portis) VIEW ORIGINAL

Each child and adult volunteer brought gloves and was given a heavy-duty trash bag. As the bags were filled, the volunteers worked harder to gather each piece of litter. From a broken dog crate, to clothing items, to the mass of plastic bags that were stuck in bushes and others that were buried beneath the mowed grass eroding into tiny bits of plastic, the volunteers did a fantastic job of working together to better the community and help the environment.

“Picking up trash is important because it helps our community and earth to be safe,” said youth volunteer, Catie Lamb. “It also helps the animals in nature so they don't eat the trash.”

Whether or not litter is disposed of correctly, everyone should take responsibility and pick up trash found your neighborhood, community parks, or on one of the great trails we have here on Fort Stewart.