One hour litter clean up - a success!

Night-Blooming Cereus, photograph by Steven; 

34th Street, Wildewood Springs and Springlakes

Why pick up litter? To support this incredible habitat we share with all residents, including those who preceded us - birds, trees, butterflies, and all wildlife. This Sabal Palm and Night-Blooming Cereus is located in the area we worked today. In May, we will look again for its blooms

Thank you to the many neighbors from various villages for picking up litter at the 34th Street entrance. Thank you, Marc for taking photos.

This is Maureen Matson. She is a Wildewood Springs litter pick-up champion!

Joanne Golden and Maureen (without hat)

This is Emily. She also cleans up this area regularly!

Lynn! Thanks Marc for taking photos, but now we don't have one of you.

This area is more beautiful because of the volunteers.

One hour, many hands - we will do this again!

AMAZING neighbor champions Wildewood Springs and Springlakes

Her name is Maureen. 

And her friend is Louis. They are both passionate about caring for Wildewood Springs' Audubon-certified wildlife habitat. 

I had been looking forward to running into Maureen for weeks. On walks, various neighbors asked, "Do you know the woman who picks up trash?" I didn't and wanted to meet her. 

Last weekend was my chance. 

WOW. She is something special.

Maureen told me she's picked up trash every day in Wildewood Springs and Springlakes for the last year. She carries and fills bags as she walks and disposes of the litter in the dumpster (she lives in Lakeside Village). But, her walks grew longer and the bags heavier with litter. So she bought that nifty, collapsible wagon.

If you recently noticed that Wildewood Springs adjacent to 34th and 43rd Streets looks clean, it's because this was Maureen and Louis' route that day. That's right: 8.15 miles. 

Maureen picks up an average of 3 full bags a day. However, on this 8-mile walk with Louis, they filled "5 bags plus a few miscellaneous items like a tire and pump. We had to empty the wagon at a dumpster behind the Wildewood Springs office before continuing!"

Maureen began her year by taking a fast-walking class to help with the correct walking posture. I commented on her fitness (this might motivate some of us to join her) and guess what? She's lost 40 pounds picking up litter. 

As we waved goodbye, I was reminded of the least I could do to join her effort, "Hey, if all of us just pick up 3 pieces of litter a day, it would be a healthier Earth." I told her I would tell our Wildewood friends. 

I'm grateful to thank her by name when I see her walking.