Trash or Tourism?

The following was contributed by guest freelance writer, Karen Weber of Lewis County, KY.

“Get Out Kentucky!” is the new battle-cry of our state Tourism Department’s efforts to encourage healthy options for recreation, while drawing visitors to Kentucky’s unique geographical and historic sites. From a relative newcomer’s perspective, though, if I were a paranoid, conspiracy-theory subscriber, I’d say there are equally hostile forces at work trying to thwart the momentum of a traditional southern hospitality’s draw.  As a participant in various outdoor adventure activities, it’s become a personal habit of mine to keep garbage bags in the car, so when I find myself at a trailhead or on a road with cluttered ditches, unsightly trash can be picked up and later disposed of responsibly.                  

Acknowledging there are visitors to our state parks, trail systems, and tourist sites who respect and care for our natural resources, there is also evidence of another mentality of users with seared consciences who toss their waste out of car windows, along trails, and beside streams.  In less than an hour, this past weekend, at one place where a trail crossed a road in Rowan County, I picked up a 30 lb. bag of trash, including beer and soda cans, empty “chew” cans, bottles with black “chew-spit” inside, cigarette wrappers, plastic bags, shell casings,  and even dirty disposable diapers. 

Unfortunately, this was not the end of the blatant disregard for health and safety issues posed by openly discarded waste. Either deliberately, or accidently, a large box of shiny silver roofing nails (with no box in site) had been freshly broadcast across a 4’ x 20’ section of ground where a trail came out of the woods to cross over a single lane road.  The side of an empty plastic milk jug cut-open, allowed the half gallon of retrieved nails to be disposed of safely. These “tire and hoof eaters” could have seriously injured or debilitated trail users or well-meaning service vehicle pulled off onto the road’s shoulder.  

Where do we, as citizens of our communities, start to correct the attitudes of those who cause this too often seen blemish on the natural beauty of our state?

As a substitute teacher, I’ve seen how quickly students from elementary thru high school aged adolescents can trash the floor of a classroom. ( I‘m known for not letting students out of class to go to their next class until their space has been picked up first, since I am neither their mother or maid.)  But is it too much to expect adults, young or old, who are eligible to drive, drink, hunt, and own land in our state to exhibit more responsible behavior by simply picking up and disposing of their trash so it doesn’t become an environmental hazard, as well as an eyesore? One state in the union, I clearly recall, has signs posted as you cross the border into their territory. A friendly welcome sign puts it simply: “Don’t Mess with Texas” --Littering fine $200.  Maybe the state and county tourism advocates around the beautiful state of Kentucky need to start posting similar reminders for residents and visitors alike.  “Kentucky Proud” should not only refer to agricultural products, but to natural resources and recreation areas deserving our care and protection.  Otherwise, we’re shooting ourselves in the foot and progress will only limp forward when it comes to maximizing the economic potential of towns, and becoming a place where others will want to visit, if not make their home.

(Karen Weber is a presently a Kentucky resident, teacher, and freelance-writer.)