As a seasoned captain, I’ve spent most of my life navigating the rough waters of the open ocean. But on Feb. 11, I found myself on a different kind of adventure – helping employee volunteers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory ESCAPES Program (Education, Stewardship and Community Action for Promoting Environmental Sustainability) clean up trash at Crown Hill Park. These volunteers set sail on a mission to collect debris and discarded relics from the land and sea, a task that this salty sea dog is all too familiar with.
The edges of the park were littered with driftwood, plastic bottles, and other unwanted flotsam and jetsam, but with a determination that would make Blackbeard proud, the volunteers hoisted their trash bags and set to work. The volunteer crew proved to be a hardy lot, tacking to-and-fro across the icy land and hauling in 47 pounds of trash and seven pounds of recycling in the span of just a couple of hours.
It was satisfying to see the tangible results of our efforts, and I was proud to be a part of such a great cause. This bountiful haul is a testament to the dedication of these land-based sailors, and a symbol of their commitment to preserving the beauty of the land and sea. As the morning drew to a close, and the volunteer crew set sail for their homes, this sea captain was filled with a sense of pride and purpose.
By working together, we can weather any storm and keep our oceans and parks free from pollution. So let us raise a glass to all those who volunteer their time and effort in keeping our community clean and healthy for generations to come!
Smooth Sailing,
The Captain
Editor’s note: See “Valentine’s Day With The Captain” article from this edition.
