We wish they didn’t have to, but volunteers cleaned up more than 700 pounds of trash from the shores of South Lake Tahoe in the span of three hours last Monday, Earth Day. Warmer spring weather exposes trash left behind after winter snow melts, and leave South Lake Tahoe scattered with litter. This debris is an eyesore and can harm not only wildlife but also Lake Tahoe’s clarity.
Hosted by the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the fifth annual South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Cleanup brought out more than 60 volunteers to the Heavenly Village area Monday, April 22. They removed 750 pounds of trash and over 6,000 cigarette butts, according to the League.
“We continued to be amazed at the amount of trash found in and around Lake Tahoe,” Marilee Movius, the League’s community engagement manager, said in a press release. “Cleanups like these are critical to ensuring our lake remains a beautiful place for us all to enjoy. We thank all of our partners and volunteers that joined together to be part of the solution.”
Trash was collected, sorted and weighed at the end of the event.
“Cleanups are only part of the solution. Ultimately if we want to protect our lake, then we need to reduce the amount of trash being put into our environment,” Jesse Patterson, the League chief strategy officer, said in the release. “For that reason, we ask that everyone pack out their trash or dispose of it properly.”
Unfortunately, cleanups around the shores of Lake Tahoe, CA are organized throughout the year by Keep Tahoe Blue, specifically after major holidays when tourists flock to the area to drink, BBQ, and party.
