Park Employees Participate in Fifth Annual “Sparkle Day” Event

A dump truck fully-laden with trash

News Release Date: March 17, 2017

Contact: Johanna Wheeler

Contact: Christopher Derman

On March 15, 2017, approximately 30 employees from every division in the park participated in Sparkle Day, the park’s annual employee litter pickup event. Inaugurated in 2013, Big South Fork sets aside a day each year that coincides with the start of spring, for employees to get together in an effort to remove trash, making Big South Fork “sparkle.”

In spite of inclement weather, can-do spirit, coupled with stewardship prevailed. Their efforts from this year’s event resulted in in the removal of:

• 1,358 lbs of trash
• 610 lbs of recycled metals

In 2016, Big South Fork NRRA kept 87 percent of its trash out of the landfill, which is well above the goal of 50 percent set by the National Park Service. 

The park’s recycling effort is something the staff take great pride in. “Big South Fork is committed to environmental stewardship,” said Superintendent Niki Nicholas. “It is embedded in both the National Park Service mission and the national river & recreation area’s significance.” 

For more information about the park’s recycling efforts, Climate Friendly Parks status, as well as its commitment to sustainability and recycling, please use the following link:

https://www.nps.gov/biso/getinvolved/recycling-at-big-south-fork.htm 

https://www.nps.gov/biso/getinvolved/sustainability.htm