This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, first celebrated on April 22, 1970. To renew my commitment to natural resources stewardship, I answered the call to “Work for Wildlife” at Mass Audubon’s Arcadia Sanctuary in Easthampton. My confirmation letter thanked me for signing up for the Trash Trackers project as part of Mass Audubon’s Annual Statewide Volunteer Day, and continued:

Project Description: Help pick up trash along the Fern Trail, River Trail, Old Springfield Road, and in the meadows. Tasks include: picking up trash!
Project Schedule: This project will run from 9AM to noon.

At 9 am sharp, a small group of us donned work gloves, grabbed a few large black trash bags, and headed out toward the Fern and River Trails, which border on the Mill River. We were warned repeatedly about the verges being overrun with poison ivy, and sure enough, we saw numerous large patches of the reddish-colored vines.  Since childhood, I’ve had recurring problems with skin allergies and infections, but oddly enough, I may lack sensitivity to the urushiol in Toxicodendron radicans.  At any rate, I trudged heedlessly through the plants, and five hours later I’ve not yet broken out into a rash.  I really ought to be more careful though.

This cleanup was monotonous and disagreeable work (but certainly worthwhile).  Here’s my summary:

• Most Common:  bottles, tennis balls, floats, disposable lighters
• Most Strange:  two shoes (not a pair) and a toothbrush
• Most Annoying:  bits of styrofoam

The Sanctuary had planned afternoon activities for the volunteers to thank us for helping out, but I had other commitments for the rest of the day and returned home around noon.