Wild Keepers Impact Day {March}

I shared a few weeks ago about the Wild Keepers program I'm STOKED to be a part of. In case you didn't get a chance to read that post, let me give you a brief rundown of the program. It isn't your average ambassador program. It isn't focused on pushing products or getting a brand publicity; the main objective is to get out and do something in your community! It's about leaving this place better than you found it! It's about making a difference and inspiring others to do the same!

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One of the "requirements" of the relationship is that you participate in monthly "Impact Days" (because, remember, the top priority of the Wild Keepers program is helping the environment). The stipulations for an Impact Day are simple:

1. Go outdoors
2. Pick up trash
3. Share your impact

There are so many locations that could use a little extra love, so I am stoked that this gives us that extra nudge to get outside and help leave an area better than we found it. (Because, let's be real, sometimes activities like picking up other people's trash are the first to fall off the calendar when we are overwhelmed with the rest of life.)

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This was the second month we have been able to take part in an Impact Day. Last month the hubby and I went to a nearby bouldering stop that he likes to climb at (and always comments on how trashy and nasty it is).

Within 20 minutes we were able to pick up TWENTY-THREE POUNDS of trash!

This go around we wanted to switch it up (although, truth be told, we could probably go back to the same spot month after month {or even week after week for that matter} and our impact wouldn't even be noticed because there is unfortunately THAT MUCH trash!). We decided to head to Carlsbad for a coastal cleanup. I'd say we live in a relatively environmentally conscious area. There are groups who do beach cleanups regularly throughout the year (whether it is the Surfrider Foundation, local boy scout troops, groups of surfers, etc) so we figured we'd try to focus on areas that don't get as much love and support. It wasn't so much of a beach cleanup per say, but more of a parking area / walk-to-the-beach mission. 

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We picked up everything from cigarette butts to bottles, lighters to food wrappers, shoes to plastic straws, road signs to condoms (I made the hubby grab those since he had gloves on). We took an extra large trash bag and a grocery bag (figuring we'd put the recyclable stuff in the smaller bag and the trash in the bigger one). When we got home we weighed everything and it was over 21 pounds... TWENTY ONE POUNDS OF TRASH! And it literally took us less than an hour.

PS I have NO IDEA why this rusted pole I found was wearing a sock... 

I'll be honest, seeing the trash can be very disheartening and frustrating, but we did have quite a few folks thank us this time since we were more out in the open. Hopefully our efforts encourage others to help out when and where they can!

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When was the last time you helped with a clean up effort?