Please take nothing but pictures leave nothing but footprints, Egmont Key, Pinellas County, FloridaPlease take nothing but pictures leave nothing but footprints

The Fourth of July is just a day away and soon many campgrounds, parks and beaches will be filled with people celebrating and sadly leaving trash behind. I remember how many times I have gone to a beach or a park on the 5th of July to find them littered with trash even though there were trash cans in abundance.

Disbelief - Osprey looking into an empty trash can, Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, FloridaDisbelief – Osprey looking into an empty trash can

I’ve seen diapers, bags from chips, plastic bottles, plastic shopping bags, beach umbrellas, broken kites and even undergarments left on the beach. And so much more. Within feet of empty of empty trash cans.

What is it about certain holidays; mostly those that fall during warmer months, that causes people to think it is okay to pollute public spaces? I wish I knew the answer to that question and I also wish that they knew that some of their trash can injure and kill the wildlife found within those areas. Maybe they do but don’t care.

To those people I say… If you can haul that stuff to public lands… you can haul it out too. Please take nothing but pictures leave nothing but footprints.

Mia