FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — In a battle to fight against litter, volunteers from Texas A&M University Central Texas Science Club, Central Texas Chapter Texas master naturalists and Soldiers from Bravo Company, 615th Aviation Support Battalion, stepped up to the challenge Feb. 23.
Brad Burden, biologist for the Adaptive and Integrative Management Team, recognized the fields and stream beds surrounding Cantonment E pond here were overwhelmed with litter ranging from plastics and glass bottles to metal poles and hubcaps.
“We noticed that a large majority of trash was freshly being blown into the stream beds, which empties out into Cantonment E pond,” he said. “We wanted to prevent this from happening and saw an opportunity to continue our impact from last year’s trash-off event.”
Burden explained the significance of keeping the installation’s ponds clear of litter benefits the environment and wildlife like birds, otters and beavers.
“Fort Cavazos ponds play an important role in the safety and health of wildlife,” he said. “Cantonment E pond is a major area for our Christmas Bird Count because of the avian diversity.”
Armed with grabbers, trash bags and gloves, a group of 14 volunteers joined Fort Cavazos biologists at the pond adjacent to Kouma Village for a trash-off event.
Staff Sgt. Anna Wagner of 615th ASB, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, who is from Killeen, felt good about giving back to a place she calls home.
“Events like this is a great way for Soldiers to get out of the barracks and motor pools to meet people, help others and do something great in the community,” she said.
Sara Richter, president of the TAMUCT Science Club, attended the litter cleanup event for a second-year. During last year’s event, she came across wildlife remains with plastic waste that had not biodegrade.
“It bothered me that there was plastic where their intestines would be,” she said. “I didn’t like the fact that their habitat was being destroyed by what we use on a daily basis, and individuals not thinking about recycling or throwing it away.”
Richter encouraged her peers from the Science Club to attend, along with her 17-year-old son, emphasizing the importance of community stewardship.
“It’s important to give back to the community, and to also leave places that you go better than you found it,” she said. “It’s an eye-opening experience so people can see the impact we have on the environment and other species.”
Helping to improve wildlife habitat, the small group of volunteers collected 760 pounds of trash and 160 pounds of recyclables in a little less than three hours. A trailer was loaded up with trash and interesting finds ranging from a skateboard and an inflatable Santa Claus to orange fencing and batteries.
“We could not get all the trash, but every effort that we can do to help maintain the environment and pick up after ourselves is a huge impact,” Burden said. “We thank our community partners, university students and Soldiers for coming out and making today a great success.”
Social Sharing