Volunteers are needed this weekend to help cleanup Phil’s World on National Public Lands Day.
“Dumping has definitely been an issue out there for several years,” said Dani Gregory, president of the Kokopelli Bike Club. “It’s a major trash dump.”
Located east of Cortez, the 12-mile system of single-track mountain-bike trails was last cleaned of trash about five years ago, she said.
San Juan Mountains Association volunteer program director Kathe Hayes said trash-removal efforts must continue on the 2,000-acre site in order to maintain the landscape’s natural beauty. Volunteers will be working Saturday, Sept. 28, on the northern portion of already-developed trails, she said.
Motorized and nonmotorized volunteers are encouraged to sign up. Trash bags, buckets and tools will be provided. Volunteers must wear long pants, sturdy shoes, eye protection and gloves.
“The Kokopelli Bike Club helped coordinate the cleanup effort, because we want to make a good faith effort to show that we care about the land,” Gregory said. “We want to be good stewards.”
National Public Lands Day is a chance for the community to help keep public lands beautiful. Last year, about 150,000 volunteers participated at more than 2,000 locations across the country.
Lunch and T-shirts will be provided, and volunteers must register by Wednesday, Sept. 25. For more, email Kathe Hayes at kathe@sjma.org or call her at 385-1310.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com