I would like to start by saying how proud and blessed I am for being raised in East Tennessee. It’s a beautiful culture that compares to no other. There are no other people I’d rather be around than good ole Appalachian folk. With that being said, there is one part of Appalachian culture I would like to improve upon in the future and that is the proper use of a trash can.
I have had folks from other parts ask me about the litter something like this, “You live in such a beautiful place but why is there so much garbage alongside of the road?”
I really don’t know how to answer them. I know it’s not for the lack of trying. I have personally picked up lots of roadside garbage and I know that Union County Sheriff’s Department puts a lot of effort into collecting roadside garbage.
I say that to say I know the garbage is not just a collection of things that accidentally blew out of someone’s truck. I won’t get into details, but you just can tell that the things that are collected were tossed out intentionally. The accidental garbage would be manageable, but the intentional will always keep the roadsides looking bad.
Now I don’t want to sound like I’m fussin’ cause I know it’s unlikely that a person taking the time to read this article is not likely to be the type to just toss your beer bottles out the window on your way home from work—and if you are, then shame on you.
Now you might say what is a bit of litter hurtin’? Well actually you’d be surprised. Research has been done to see what damage bottles on roadside have on wildlife and they found that endangered species of voles were finding their way inside and drowning in the bottles that landed in such a way that they held water. I have personally seen several birds and other wildlife die getting hung up in old fishing line.
If helping clean up litter in our area is something you are interested in, check out our Norris Clean Up events. They help a couple times a year all along the lake shores. An incredible amount of debris comes off the lake from this event every year, things like old refrigerators, tires, old pieces of foam, etc.
You would be amazed at how much a soaking wet baby diaper weighs once it has soaked up all the water it will hold. The disappointing part is how many of those diapers are found in the parking lot just 30 feet from a trash can.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and one of his commandments to live by is to love God with all your heart and mind and love your neighbor as you love yourself. A great way to love your neighbor is by taking care of a space that we all share together.
My goal is to influence the next generation of hillbillies to be proud to be a hillbilly, but put your trash in a can and don’t let it become a trashy roadside decoration.
This article was inspired by Haley Carter-Gregory. Haley is one of the housekeepers at Big Ridge State Park. She, along with all the other housekeeping staff, deserve a medal for their service to the park.
I hope I have not offended anyone, and if I did, well, tough.
I love this place that we call home. I hope that in some way this helps us to be inspired to do the right thing for each other. My goal is to keep the park a family-friendly place that we can all appreciate and be proud to have in our backyard.
Park Ranger Derek Wilson