Pack It Out Challenge
By: Katelyn Parker
Wyoming is not known for its grand metropolises, theme parks, shopping malls or high rises. In fact, the tallest building in Wyoming is White Hall, a dorm hall at the University of Wyoming, standing only 12 stories. Wyoming is made up of small towns, independently owned businesses, rugged landscapes and, first and foremost, abundant access to public lands.
Nature At Its Best
Wyomingites aren’t corralled to a handful of locations where people can enjoy the outdoors. We are not limited to city, state, and national parks. The outdoors is not a novelty here, it’s a way of life. Wyoming offers opportunities for all outdoor enthusiasts, no matter the activity. Horseback adventures, hunting, fishing, water-sports, hiking, skiing, biking……you name it, we’ve got it. Photographers flock here to capture our amazing views and snap photos of our impressive wildlife. Compiled photos of Wyoming can make an impressive coffee table book but what if we zoom in on the landscape in those photos? What will we see? Many of our public lands are adorning material that does not belong.
The Problem
When we go out to explore and engage in outdoor activities, we all bring stuff. Stuff that we often, intentionally or not, leave behind. This is not a soapbox lecture on why not to litter. The litter bugs of the world will always be litter bugs. Marketing messaging, ordinance and peer pressure have been trying to convince the less respectful to not litter for decades but some people just can’t be convinced to care. Rather than a plea to do better, we are appealing to those that don’t take our lands for granted and we are challenging you to participate in our “Pack It Out Challenge”.
Making a Difference
We have become so accustomed to refuse; we tend to ignore it. Not my circus, not my monkey kind of mentality. We choose not to see and acknowledge the things that don’t belong, but we don’t always act to fix the problem. I am frequently guilty of this. Sometimes the mess is just too large to think I am capable of cleaning it up, but I am, and I should. I can’t control the actions of the individuals that left the mess, but I can control how I react. Therefore, we are conducting the “Pack It Out Challenge”, to not only challenge ourselves, but also you, to pick up what you see and dispose of it responsibly when the situation allows.
Join the Cause
It’s easy to participate. All you have to do is share what you collect to our social media platforms and then you will be entered to win an adventure box from Live WYld. Cheaters need not apply. Pick it up, pack it out, throw it away; it’s that simple. Be sure to check out the sticker of the month
So, what do you say? Challenge accepted?
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