News.bytes Extra, issue 387

Volunteers help BLM clean up in Berdoo Canyon

In celebration of Earth Day 2009, volunteers gathered to clean up Berdoo Canyon off of Dillion Road in Coachella.  The volunteers included 15 guides and staff from Desert Adventures, a work crew from Burrtec Waste Management, three members of the Front Runners / Great Outdoors Hiking Club and several community volunteers. (text continues below)

Wanda Raschkow, cutural resources specialist with BLM's Palm Springs / South Coast Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management first briefly trained the volunteers to leave "historic trash" left over from early Coachella Valley mining operations and water district projects.  Then the crews got to work removing discarded tires, mattresses, bed springs, and other large items that had been illegally dumped, as well as picking up buckets full of broken glass, empty bottles and cans and shot gun shells.  By the end of the clean-up, the volunteers had filled a 40-cubic-yard dumpster with trash that had been illegally dumped, and also gathered more than 100 tires. 

Following the clean-up, volunteers were treated to pizza and pasta bowls that had been donated by local restaurants. 

"This was such a rewarding day for us all" said Mitch Cazier of Desert Adventures.  "Everyone worked hard and with such passion." 

Raschow noted the people and organizations who pitched in:

• Burrtec Waste Management donated a 40 cubic yard dumpster and a hard-working crew.
• County Supervisor Roy Wilson waived the normal dump fees for the dumpster.
• Michael Salotti of All Pro Pizza and Carol Paul and Tom Nolen of Dominos Pizza donated food for lunch.
• Scott Connelley and volunteers from the Front Runners / Great Outdoors Hiking Club
• Jeff Gardner of Adventure Hummer Tours
• Community members Susanne Jarvian and Timothy Trutna showed up to help out and lend their support.

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 387