Weldon, CA – Over the past five years Audubon has purchased several properties which have ranch-based dumps associated with them. This was common and accepted practice among ranchers – although in retrospect a poor choice. These eyesores have been a project that many volunteers and staff have tackled. Through an amazing twist of fate we were able to secure the services of five very energetic people from the Student Conservation Association (SCA). From Friday through Sunday, January 22-24 this SCA crew along with our own Sean Rowe and Katy Harvey helped to fill an entire roll-off dumpster with 16-thousand pounds of garbage.

The crew hauled off non-recyclables, recycled trash and assisted with some other preserve projects over the weekend. While they didn't finish clearing the dump they made a significant dent in ridding the preserve of this nuisance trash.

Audubon staff and volunteers have made great progress on these dumps since we purchased the property. Tons of steel has been recycled including wire, broken equipment, and appliance. Fertilizer, pesticides, used oils and hundreds of tires have been hauled to the appropriate waste facility. Open agricultural wells have been closed and fuel storage tanks have been removed. What was/is left is largely nuisance trash and plenty of it. We look to continue working with our staff and volunteers to finish up.
The SCA is a national, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. They are funded through cost-share agreements with their resource management partners, individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors. SCA provides college and high school-aged members with hands-on conservation service opportunities in virtually every field imaginable, from tracking grizzlies through the Tetons to restoring desert ecosystems and teaching environmental education at Washington, D.C.’s Urban Tree House. We thank our amazing SCA crew: Jamie, Allison, Daniel, Alexandra, and Chris for their hard work and hope they can return to help on a more fun project in the future. §