Maintaining the area's beauty a worthy endeavor

April 19, 2005

Frontiersman editorial board

Although the weather may not always seem to confirm it, spring has sprung around the Valley. Days are lengthening, the first flocks of migratory birds and waterfowl have returned, and hungry bears have risen their winter slumber in search of a good feed. Soon, newborn moose will appear, ice-free lakes and rivers will beckon fishermen, and the natural beauty of the Valley will be in its full summer glory.

But as warmer days push the snowline back up the mountains and more and more ground is revealed at lower elevations, a winter's worth of litter has come into view along roadsides. With it, like other sure signs of spring, come the reflective vest-clad cleanup crews from the cities, state and volunteer organizations. They can be seen, trash bags in hand, cleaning up after the folks who sully our surroundings with their thoughtlessly tossed food wrappers, beverage containers, cigarette butts and other refuse.

With the 35th anniversary of Earth Day slated for Friday, we salute these cleanup crews, especially the civic-mindedness of the volunteer ones. Likewise, in the spirit of Earth Day, we urge everyone to remember their individual roles as stewards of the planet.

The nonprofit group Earth Day Network has planned a series of events, campaigns and activities around the world designed to draw attention to environmental health issues. For more information, the organization's Web site can be found at www.earthday.net.

Closer to home, the Valley Community for Recycling Solutions center is offering an open house Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The center, located near the intersection of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway and North 49th State Street, will showcase a program designed to promote Resource Awareness Month, with an emphasis on recycling.

Enjoying the Valley's natural beauty is easy. Maintaining that beauty is something that is up to each of us.