BLM California News.bytes 
News.bytes Extra, issue 565

16th Annual Dunes Clean-up a Success!

Almost 1,000 volunteers participated in the 16th Annual Clean-up at the Imperial Sand Dunes on Saturday, January 19, 2013. The event, held over the Martin Luther King weekend, is popular among dune enthusiasts, many of whom plan their visit to the dunes around the long weekend, just so they’ll be able to take part.

The volunteers donated a total of 3,436 hours of service, demonstrating a strong commitment to keeping the dunes clean.  With a raffle ticket given for every bag of trash collected, volunteers shared in the fun and anticipation of the prize give-a-way after lunch.  An eclectic assortment of prizes kept the crowd on its toes as the numbers were drawn and announced.

The clean-up, one of the largest in the state, is funded through a BLM partnership with the United Desert Gateway and private sponsors.  An important component of BLM California’s Strategic Framework, this partnership enhances recreation, increases public safety and develops community participation and involvement.

For more information on the Imperial Sand Dunes please call 760-337-4400, or visit www.blm.gov/ca/isdra or www.facebook.com/BLMImperialSandDunes

Women hand out slips of paper
These young women gave up their Saturday to volunteer at the registration tables.  Photo: BLM/J. Szalwinski

 trash bags piled onto a large flat trailer
A volunteer’s flatbed trailer hauled trash to the dumpsters. Photos: BLM/J. Szalwinski

a large audience gathers on the sand
Volunteers wait patiently to hear their number called at the prize give-a-way.  Photo: BLM/J. Szalwinski

people on a stage smile
This lucky – and happy - winner walked away with a cooler. Photo: BLM/J. Szalwinski

- Joya Szalwinski, Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area / BLM California El Centro Field Office (January 2013)

BLM California News.bytes, issue 565 -- To subscribe to News.bytes, send an e-mail to: mailto:Join-Newsbytes@List.ca.blm.gov OR visit our News.bytes subscription page.