This Saturday, Los Padres ForestWatch (LPFW), Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA), Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCCMB), and the US Forest Service (USFS), are hosting a volunteer trash cleanup at West Cuesta Ridge, from 9am to 12pm.
The focus area, colloquially known as “shooter’s ridge,” is a popular, yet illegal target shooting site. As a result of the shooters’ negligence, massive quantities of glass shards, bullet casings, and other small bits of debris and microtrash have accumulated over time and now pose a serious threat to the local wildlife and environment. The area is in such a drastic state that it now requires a large team of dedicated volunteers from the surrounding community to restore the area.
The accumulation of microtrash has serious impacts on the health of the surrounding ecosystem and the wildlife that are a part of it. The most concerning of these impacts are those to the critically endangered California condor. Adult condors will gather small bits of shiny and colorful trash and bring it back to their nests where it is unwittingly ingested by the chicks that are unable to regurgitate the trash. This trash can accumulate in the stomach and lead to death by malnutrition if they do not receive surgical intervention. Additional impacts of microtrash are far reaching, as the trash moves throughout the watershed and eventually into the ocean where they pose a threat to local marine life.
Any interested volunteers should contact Tanner Yould of Los Padres ForestWatch via [email protected] or (805) 617-4610×3. Volunteers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. Snacks and drinks will be provided, but please bring clothing appropriate for hiking, as well as adequate sun protection. Parking at West Cuesta Ridge is very limited, so carpooling is highly encouraged.