BajaNomad

Changing Attitudes about Trash

DianaT - 11-6-2008 at 01:55 PM

Our very good friend, Jamie Morales, is no longer working at the Antelope Preserve---instead he is working full time for the Preserve here in Bahia Asuncion and the surrounding area---this area is all a part of the preserve.

He is dedicated to conservation and to improving respect for the preserve. There have been clean-up times here before, but now it is a MAJOR effort led by him and very much supported by the new Delegado.

Some of the trash along our coast.







Some of the clean up crew. They are volunteers, but the Preserve is paying them a token for each day---three hours in the morning. They think it will take about one month to complete the project around the point to the main beach in town.

Then, the volunteers plan on being very vigilant in watching for trash dumpers who may be fined for littering.



The results from just one day of work. They are not just picking up the larger pieces, they are raking and REALLY cleaning up the area.

Jamie



Laurieboats and Mrs. Diver as fellow trash collectors will be happy to see this happening and the results.

It is good to live on a Preserve.

Diane

Sallysouth - 11-6-2008 at 02:03 PM

Wow, that is so awesome!Just think about what it would be like if this spread thruout Baja!! I too am a fellow trash- picker-upper. :biggrin:

Lauriboats - 11-6-2008 at 04:55 PM

Great, Jamie said that they would be doing some clean-up, but this is far better than we expected. I can't wait to take a morning walk along the ocean when we return in a few weeks. Let Jamie know how much we appreciate his dedication and hard work. Lauri

David K - 11-6-2008 at 05:02 PM

Wonderful!

shari - 11-6-2008 at 05:11 PM

FAntastic news....well done Jaime....I also heard that the new mayor has formed a village clean up committee and will be asking land owners to clean up their lots....if they dont, they will have it cleaned for them at a price. We are so very pleased.

Mexitron - 11-6-2008 at 05:54 PM

I've been thru Asuncion twice and don't remember a lot of trash but this is great news--I wish I could be there to help out!

marv sherrill - 11-6-2008 at 06:17 PM

That is awesome - we need it to spread to Bahia de Los Angeles! - It just takes a few to get things going!! I'll work on it over thanksgiving!

Bob H - 11-6-2008 at 11:55 PM

Wow, more good news about cleaning up. I have stated before, we have noticed a considerable cleanup over the last few years, for sure. I remember a lot more "stuff" along side the roads not too long ago. I hope they keep up the good work, all over Baja. I thiink they are teaching the kids to clear the trash when you can....... be proud of your land. It's nice to see.
Bob H

DianaT - 11-7-2008 at 02:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mexitron
I've been thru Asuncion twice and don't remember a lot of trash but this is great news--I wish I could be there to help out!


Our main streets are usually quite nice, but there is, soon to be was, lots of trash along the coast, in the dunes and on the beach in front of our home.

We joined the group today. We have picked up lots of trash before, but at times it seemed to not do much good as it soon returned. Now, however, with what is happening, we couldn't wait to help out.

Jamie asked us to work more on the sand area of the beach in front of us as he did not know if they would make it down there---no problem---we had most of it picked up from before.

Now, if we could just get the fishermen to quit throwing the plastic oil bottles, plastic coke bottles, etc., less would wash up on the beach.

Oh, they are working on getting a plastic and glass recycling program---that would REALLY help. Never thought I would be so excited about trash. :lol::lol:

Jamie also requested that we take more pictures so he could e-mail them to his boss in GN---so here are just a couple more from today.


Part of the group



Notice she is using a rake---some have also fashioned dust pans out of lobster trap wire in order to trap the smallest pieces of trash---not just the easy to see trash.



Diane and John

[Edited on 11-7-2008 by jdtrotter]

Udo - 11-7-2008 at 04:48 PM

What a wonderful group!


RIGHT ON!

bacquito - 11-7-2008 at 04:53 PM

good for them. I must pick up some trash when I am hiking. I tis frustrating to see plastic bags, plastic, glass bottles thrown about.

LOSARIPES - 11-8-2008 at 05:17 AM

Talking about cleaning... the municipio employees have been out on El Centenario beaches, just next to El Comitan... they have picked up several trucks worth of trash. Serious cleaning is being done, using rakes and all.
I am impressed but at the same time, I am depressed seeing our locals littering all over again right behind the cleaners. It is unbelievable how stupid these people can be.

Marie-Rose - 11-8-2008 at 07:06 AM

Yesterday when we were going out to the Refugio in Pescadero (across highway from Cerritos) there were a dozen or so young people... looked like a school class(?) that were picking up bags of trash. What a fabulous thing to see. Sure wish I could learn how to post pics!!!!

[Edited on 2008-11-8 by Marie-Rose]

Von - 11-8-2008 at 07:58 PM

Im very happy there are people like my friends here on bajanomad I salute all of you for keeping our beachs clean THANK YOU from my family and my heart. Gracias amigos! and the ones that arent on bajanomad tell them I appreciate there efferts...Von in San Diego and La Barca,Rosarito.

woody with a view - 11-8-2008 at 08:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Von
Im very happy there are people like my friends here on bajanomad I salute all of you for keeping our beachs clean THANK YOU from my family and my heart. Gracias amigos! and the ones that arent on bajanomad tell them I appreciate there efferts...Von in San Diego and La Barca,Rosarito.


YEAH, WHAT HE SAID!!!

my wife's first impression of baja was something like, "why don't they dump their "stuff" a mile back over the hills instead of RIGHT NEXT TO THE HIWAY, 1/2 MILE OUTTA TOWN?'

hopefully, this will catch like a wildfire during santa anas....

Tiomiguel - 11-11-2008 at 12:48 PM

Thanks John and Diane for the update and the pics on this. Tia Juanita will much appreciate it as we spent some time cleaning up in front and around our place as well. It is nice to be part of a preserve. When we first arrived, there were so many old abandoned cars and remnants of old garbage, not so much new garbage. It is unbelievable to us how the village has come around with respect to garbage. Also thank goodness for the high price of steel, even if for just a short time, as initially there were probably about 5 old cars just around our place. It is great to see everybody trying to pull together and clean up.

LOSARIPES - 11-12-2008 at 03:34 AM

I have been in contact with local (La Paz) authorities and El Centenario delegate lately, "lobbying" for beach and street cleaning programs,as well as education and campaigning, like getting school children involved. That is where change is going to come from. Sometimes I feel like I need to get seriously involved in local politics to press for changes but at the same time, I do not want to "invest" my self on something others are getting paid for.
I guess complaining and reporting in a consistent manner -and some pr- can get things done. sometimes.