By Amber Ford
The Mountain Times
As the snowpacks and snow mounds receded with the summer temperatures and sunshine, Mt. Hood National Forest’s resident wildflowers and plants began to bloom and grow. Along with the beauty of sunshine, flowers and warm weather, the melting snow also gave way to the garbage left behind from last year’s snow season. Evidence of the heavy traffic between the Mt. Hood Villages and Government Camp was found in fast food wrappers, plastic sleds and tire chains.
It is nearly impossible to prevent such litter. Friends of the Govy 500 have, however, been making a yearly event of organizing cleanups once snow has melted in Government Camp. On Sunday, June 23rd, the Govy 500 founder (who prefers to remain anonymous) and other community members met in Government Camp for their fourth annual Govy 500 cleanup. Starting in Government Camp and continuing up to the Summit ski area, nearly thirty individuals participated in the effort.
Understanding the impact trash can have – and the importance of its removal – in the Mt. Hood Villages for community members, wildlife and plants, the Govy 500 founder has been working with other local businesses and organizations in order to keep local communities as free from trash as possible. “Surfrider and Snowrider used to do mountain cleanups, but the Snowrider organization went under and no one was leading any cleanups around the mountain anymore,” the Govy 500 founder said. “Being an avid skier and snowboarder you can’t help but notice all the trash when the snow melts. Solve Oregon makes it extremely easy to set up your own cleanups and will supply you with all the trash grabbers, trash bags and gloves you need to run your own cleanups,” the Govy 500 founder added.
Picking up everything from food wrappers, cigarette butts and tire chains, volunteers work relentlessly once the snow melts. “We usually find car parts, chains, fast food garbage, cigarette butts, ZYN pouches (they don’t biodegrade) food packaging, drug paraphernalia, dog waste still in the bag and ski gloves,” the Govy 500 founder said.
After Govy 500 divides and assigns specific sections to volunteers to clean up and bag the trash, Timberline Lodge gives an assist in removing the trash to the transfer station in their trucks. Weather can impact the number of volunteers the cleanup sees each year, but on average 10-30 community members donate their time and energy to the cause.
While local communities between The Mt. Hood Villages and Government Camp do their part to protect the natural environment and landscape that many call home, the cleanup organized by the Govy 500 further sets a positive tone both for the importance of litter awareness and bringing neighbors together. “This is a great event to see your mountain family one more time before summer starts,” The Govy 500 founder said. “Trash is everywhere on the Mountain. We can all do our part to help keep our town and mountain clean. With the influx of people recreating on the mountain, trash comes with it. Let’s keep our mountain clean so we can enjoy it in all its glory,” the Govy 500 founder added.
A similar event will be held on the Salmon River on Saturday, September 7th, at 9am. Volunteers are encouraged to meet at the Old Salmon River trailhead and can visit volunteer.solveoregon.org for more information.