Spring Cleaning: It Doesn't Look Like It Will Happen in Wichita Falls

Trash along a trail near Lake Wichita

I don't know if you have been out and about the city very much, but if you have, you can't help but notice the large amount of trash in all parts of town. I took the photo to the left with my cell phone just walking down a trail near Lake Wichita while I was walking. Although it isn't the best photo, as it was taken with my cell phone, it is easy to see there are several pieces of trash in a small area. This is hardly the worst of the trash around town.

I have people tell me all of the time that the litter situation can't be helped because of the wind. I agree the wind exacerbates the situation as any unsecured trash is going to blow around. However, if people took more care to create less trash and to better dispose of that trash they do create, our community would look much better.

Some years ago the Clean City Commission used to oversee a community-wide cleanup in early April. It was a pretty big deal. In a purge of commissions, the Clean City Commission got the ax. Justifiably so, as the cleanup was about the only worthwhile thing the commission did (obviously, this is my own somewhat jaded opinion.) The citywide cleanup was turned over to a small non-profit, Keep Wichita Falls Beautiful. This non-profit was held together by a very small group of volunteers. They did continue to sponsor the cleanup for a few years, but with dwindling volunteer resources, the amount of time and effort put into the cleanup declined. Keep Wichita Falls Beautiful has since gone belly up. I checked with the city and there is no plan to conduct a citywide cleanup this year.

The city did add some money to the budget this year for additional litter pickup along Kell Blvd, which seems to be the main thoroughfare where Wichitans unload their trash. However, Southwest Parkway is a dump and the access road along Kell also looks trashy. The open field at the intersection of Hwy 287 and Kell is an eyesore. And there are other areas just as bad--these are just ones I happen to pass often, so are especially irritating to me.

I know there are volunteer groups who periodically clean up some areas. I am involved with some of them. The Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalist chapter cleans up Plum Lake quarterly and Sikes Lake and the feeder drainage ditch annually. The Red River Sierra Club group does a regular pick up of a 2-mile stretch of Sisk Road as part of the Adopt-a-Highway program--there are many other organizations that are involved in this program as well.

It is obvious this is not enough. There is no way the city is going to pay for more litter pickup--they hue and cry from the addition of the monies for Kell Blvd makes it pretty clear that our citizenry is not interested in paying for this service. By the same token, I don't think any of us like to see our community looking unkempt, and it's an embarrassment when "company" comes. Our city has been doing a good job of selling Wichita Falls for conferences and events and we need to make a good impression.

So where am I going with this? We need some mechanism to create enthusiasm for a general cleanup. It would be nice if it was informal--in other words, people would just take personal responsibility to cleanup around their homes, businesses would clean up their areas and groups would each take an area and clean it up. But I know that's unlikely to work without a group of people organizing it.

What do you think? Is there a group of citizens who would roll up their sleeves in the next few weeks to get the ball rolling??? I'll bet the amount of work would be minimal if there was a dozen people to take it on. Mostly publicity and some coordination.

A Trashy Weekend

Some people posted on a local newstation Facebook page that they were ashamed at the litter around town for the  Hotter 'n Hell Hundred. Of course, most of their ire was directed at the City of Wichita Falls which had been putting out a yeoman's effort to ensure the city looked nice for the 15,000 riders. I wasn't very nice and offered to direct the complainers to a number of groups that pick up litter around town on a regular basis. Not surprisingly, no one contacted me.

Trash at Sikes Lake

June got a little muddy

 One such cleanup was the annual Sikes Lake cleanup that is the Saturday following Labor Day each year. The Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalist chapter joins up with Midwestern State University to do a lake cleanup. We have had as many as 200 volunteers show up. This year, there were probably about 25 - 30 people, which was enough.  Although the amount of trash in the truck may not seem like a lot, that's a big truck.

One of the hardest working volunteers was June, who ended up muddy, but keep up good humor throughout the project.

Trash near Lake Wichita

More trash in same area

There are still a lot of places that need a good cleanup. The next day I was birding out around Lake Wichita and came across this trashy area. I took the picture with my cell phone, so it isn't the best, but if you click on the photos you will get a better idea.

If everyone did their best to reduce the amount of trash they produce and to dispose of the trash they do responsibly, then we wouldn't have to be embarrasssed when we have company. We can all pick up around our houses and businesses. I have to do a litter patrol around our house at least once a week to pick up the trash people through out of their cars.

In addition to the annual Sikes Lake cleanup, the Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalist chapter cleans up Plum Lake quarterly. The Friends of Lake Arrowhead State Park host at least one park cleanup a year and there are several groups that do Adopt-a-Highway areas. The one I participate in is along Sisk Road with the Red River Sierra Club group. Annually the Keep Wichita Falls Beautiful hosts a city-wide cleanup in April.

There are lots of places that need a cleanup. Take a trash bag with you when you walk, get involved in one of the groups that does a cleanup, or organize a group yourself.

Earth Day 2013

Two people, 2.5 hours, can make a difference!

 What did you do to celebrate Earth Day this year? I had a pretty decent day, overall. First I went out for the Red River Sierra Club trash cleanup for our Adopt-a-Highway segment on Sisk Rd. This time, only Joy Parsons and I showed up. However, we picked up a lot of trash in 2.5 hours as you can see in the photo of Joy next to our trash to the left.

Chris Ross with his hydroponics unit

After I cleaned up a little, I headed to River Bend Nature Center for the annual Earth Day event. Although going to RBNC is always a treat, I must say I was a little disappointed with the event. However, I was able to catch up with several people I know and needed to talk to, the event still worked for me. There were probably several people there who had never been to RBNC and had a chance to visit the conservatory and walk the trails, so that's all good. One display that was especially interesting to me was a gentleman who had a hydroponics display. The lower tank has fish in it and the upper containers, vegetables. No chemical fertilizers. The person with the display is Chris Ross. He said a larger unit could have tilapia in the lower tank (this one had gold fish.) He is willing to help others put a unit together for free if they buy the supplies. He indicated a unit like his would cost $250 - $300 if you bought everything new. I have his phone number. Contact me by email at green.wichitafalls@gmail.com for a phone number.

Sierra Club Meeting

The next meeting of the Red River Sierra Club will be Saturday, July 21, noon at the Thai Orchid.

Sierra Club Meets Saturday

The Red River Sierra group meets this Saturday, March 17 at noon, at El Diablo's Burritos at 4214 Kell Blvd. Topics for the meeting include the upcoming EcoFair and outings.

If weather permits, the group will do a litter pickup following the meeting, so dress appropriately.

Not a member of the Sierra Club? No worries. There will be internet available during the meeting--you can join online right there.

By the way, in addition to the new website, the group also has a group page on Facebook--just search for "Red River Sierra Club" and keep up with all of the local happenings.

This Saturday is very busy, with a clean up at Lake Arrowhead State Park and for me, a League of Women Voters consensus meeting, so if you can't come, be sure to get connected through the website, the facebook page or right here.

Activities and Events Coming Up

I been out of town as much as in lately, so I am a little bit behind the power curve on posting. However, there are some events coming up I wanted to get the word out on, so here they are:

  - Home and Garden Show: February 26, 27 at MPEC. Lots of great vendors and educational sessions.
  - Spring Break Camp at River Bend: March 12 - 16, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Kindergarten through 6th Grade. Register by March 7. For information, click here. For a registration form, click here. Attendees will also need a medical release.
  - EcoFair Planning Meeting: March 2, Noon at River Bend.
  - Red River Group Sierra Club meeting, March 17, Noon - 1:00 PM, El Diablo. Trash pick up to follow.
  - Texas Clean Rivers Program Red River Basin Advisory Committee Meeting, March 27, 9:30 AM - approximately 1:30 PM.  Red River Authority of Texas Administrative Office and Laboratory Facility, 3000 Hammon Rd. Please RSVP to Stacey Green at 940- 723-2236 or sgreen@rra.dst.tx.us as they will be serving lunch.
  - EcoFair: April 21, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. If you would like to have a booth, contact River Bend at 940-767-0843 or smcmahen@riverbendnaturecenter.org. Booth prices are only $50 commercial and $25 for non-profits. Living Green in Wichita Falls will have a booth.
  - Texas Master Naturalist Spring Training: Begins March 20 and runs through May 5. Deadline for applications is March 12. The class schedule includes classes and several field trips. Registration is $80 ($70 for MSU students.) Registration forms and fees can be dropped off at Inland Fisheries at  403 Chester.

Red River Sierra Group

The Red River Sierra Group is small, but important organization. If you are a member of the national Sierra Club, you are a member of the local group. The local organization receives no part of the dues paid to national, so operates on a shoestring.

The group decided to Adopt-a-Highway. We will do our first clean-up on Saturday, January 21, preceded by a short meeting to conduct business. You may attend either or both.

The business meeting will begin at noon at Atlanta Bread on Midwestern Parkway. We need to elect new officers and notify state. The group chair position is open and committee chairs are also needed. About 12:45 the meeting will adjourn for members to meet up for the clean-up, beginning at 1:00 PM. Those willing to assist will meet at FM 369 and Sisk Rd. Bags will be provided, but you may want to bring gloves. We have a 2-mile stretch to pick up.

Hope to see some of you there. If you are not a member of Sierra Club, but would like to learn more about the organization, feel free to come to the meeting or the cleanup.

Red River Sierra Club Meets Tuesday

As promised in the previous post, here is the location for the Red River Sierra Club group meeting Tuesday, October 11, 7:15 PM: the Thai Orchid. Any questions, email redriversierra@gmail.com.

Upcoming Meetings of Interest

Today I'll be spending the day at the Multi-Purpose Event Center at the Living Well with Less Water symposium. I'm looking forward to learning a lot and meeting people with similar interests.

For those who were intending to go to the EcoFair planning meeting next Friday, the date has been changed. It will now be October 13, 5:30 PM at River Bend Nature Center. If you would like more information, contact River Bend at 940-767-0843.

The Red River Sierra Club will meet Tuesday, October 11 at 7:15 PM. The location hasn't yet been decided--I'll post here when I know where the meeting will be held. It is normally at a restaurant.

Rosecreek Farms in Sunset is holding a Fall Festival beginning at 3 PM on Saturday, October 15. During the festival, they will host a screening of "Fresh." You can find more information at their website. Some local Sierra Club members will probably attend. You can reach the local Sierra Club at redriversierra@gmail.com.

Hope to see some of you today at the water symposium!

Successful Sikes Lake Cleanup

On Saturday September 10, the Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalists and Midwestern State University hosted a cleanup of Sikes Lake on the MSU campus.

The Master Naturalists have done an annual cleanup of the lake for several years. MSU provides a canopy, trash bags and hot dogs/drinks. The Master Naturalists provide the labor. We always have small groups of children from local schools help in the project. This year the turn out was overwhelming--200 community volunteers (mostly children and MSU students) turned out to help. This is significantly more than previous years. Lots of people combined with a low lake level due to the drought added up to a record amount of trash being collected. In less than 2 hours, the volunteers bagged 4000 pounds of trash.

Way to go!

The Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalists also conduct a cleanup of Plum Lake every quarter. The next cleanup will be on September 24, followed by a cleanup at Lake Arrowhead State Park.

The Red River Group of the Sierra Club decided last night to Adopt a Highway through the Texas Department of Transportation.

More group and more individual participation could make our community a nicer place to live. Could you help Keep Wichita Falls Beautiful?

Red River Sierra Group Meeting

For Sierra Club members and others interested in environmental topics, the local Red River Sierra Club group will meet Tuesday, July 12, 7:30 PM at Atlanta Bread on the corner of Maplewood Avenue and Midwestern Parkway.

First EcoFair Organizational Meeting

I previously posted that the EcoFair would be moving forward with some changes. The first meeting of those interested in participating in this effort has been set.

Those interested in helping to plan the 2012 EcoFair should come to Chili's at 7:15 PM on Wednesday, May 25.

If you would like more information or if you would like to be involved, but cannot make this meeting, you can contact River Bend at 940-767-0843 or email Joanna of the Sierra Club at redriversierra@gmail.com.

Red River Sierra Club to Meet Tuesday

The Red River Sierra Club will meet at Tuesday, May 10, 7:15 PM at the Thai Orchid, 1912 Elmwood Avenue. If you're a member of the Sierra Club or are interested in finding out more, please come.

Email redriversierra@gmail.com for more information.

Earth Day Events

The Sierra Club walk on Friday evening got rained out--a severe thunderstorm with hail and lightening forced those that showed to cancel. Safety first. It was very hard to be upset when we need the rain so badly.

Photo left: Terry McKee, Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalists president explains how long various types of trash can persist in the environment.

Today the Texas Master Naturalists worked with a group of kids from the Boys and Girls Club Torch Club (a leadership organization) to pick up litter at Plum Lake. It was great to see young people getting involved in making their community better.

Photo left: Kids cool down with some cold water after dropping off their trash. Several more bags were collected after this photo was taken.

After the Plum Lake cleanup, I headed out to River Bend Nature Center for their Earth Day celebration. There were plenty of children's activities and the $3 entry included entrance into the conservatory and to the trail.

Earth Day participants help Extension Agent Fred Hall mix compost.

The landscaping at River Bend is always a treat.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Inland Fisheries biologist Mark Howell talks about our local fish with the public.





Left: The Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalists explained the rainwater harvesting system they installed at River Bend.

Left: Tad Gose, Lake Arrowhead State Park, shows many specimens and helps visitors learn more about the area wildlife.








Left: Rehabilitator Lila Arnold with Wild Bird Rescue shows a small visitor an eastern screech owl.







I had some budding ornithologists walk the trail at River Bend. We had some decent luck, with house sparrow, house finch, cardinal, common grackle, Carolina chickadee, red-bellied woodpecker, great crested flycatcher, tufted titmouse, blue jay and cedar waxwing were seen during our mid afternoon walk. We saw/heard a few other birds but were unable to make a positive ID.

Yes, It's Earth Day

The Earth as seen from Apollo 17. By NASA.


I can remember the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. There was lots of energy and high hopes. I am not sure Earth Day has lived up to its potential, and it seems to have become another ho-hum recognition day, but at least once a year there is SOME focus on the earth and the environment.

This year Earth Day got lost in the shuffle of Easter as well as the usual life and work. However, there are some events happening--I've posted about them before. I hope you'll get out and enjoy nature (come walk with the Sierra Club, if nothing else) and reflect on how your individual choices impact the earth and rededicate yourself to make a difference.

In the Plan B documentary I posted yesterday, Lester Brown poo-poo'd the idea of individual changes--he said it's too late for that. But small individual changes do make a difference and more importantly, these reflect a will to take on the bigger challenges required to change the future. If I am not willing to use more energy-efficient light bulbs, to drive less or to eat less meat, how likely is it I am going to pressure my elected officials to fund public transportation or to regulate genetically modified foods? None.

Most people are not "born again" with a sudden insight into a new way of life. So we start where we are and move people as they are ready--and hope we can do that quickly enough.

I hope some of you can make the Earth Day celebration at River Bend tomorrow from 12 - 3. I'll be leading bird walks and would love the chance to meet you.

Join the Sierra Club on Earth Day

The Red River Group of the Sierra Club will be celebrating Earth Day with a walk Friday evening. The group will be taking a walk on the city trail system from the Lake Wichita spillway, through Lake Wichita Park to Wild Bird Rescue. The group will be gathering trash as they walk.

The walk begins at 6:30 PM. Although not required, the group is asking for an RSVP, just so they know to look for you. You can RSVP to RedRiverSierra@gmail.com.

EcoFair Meeting Set

If you are interested in learning more about EcoFair and to discuss options, plan to attend an informal meeting at 7:15 PM, Wednesday, April 27, at Schlotsky's in Plaza Parkway off Maplewood.

For more information, contact Joanna at RedRiverSierra@gmail.com.

EcoFair Endangered

Right: Flyer from the 2008 EcoFair A few years ago (2007 I believe) I got involved in a new Red River Sierra Club project to hold a sustainable living festival in Wichita Falls. We held the first EcoFair at Berends Landing. We had a good event the first year, with plenty of opportunity for growth. We moved the event to River Bend the second year and had some problems with the all-volunteer committee concept. After the rocky road the second year, the volunteer committee reached an agreement to turn the event over to River Bend. The thinking was the EcoFair fit the River Bend mission and was an event that could/should provide the opportunity to raise significant money to support that organization. In addition, a permanent year around staff could provide continuity which would enable better event planning, which would facilitate growth. Relying strictly on an ad hoc committee of community volunteers was just not sustainable. Since that time, the EcoFair has not fulfilled its promise. There have been relatively few businesses in the area to participate as vendors, although there are getting to be more all the time. In addition, there has been a lot of turnover and uncertainty at River Bend. Fortunately, the new Executive Director seems to be getting things under control at River Bend and several good things have been happening. Unfortunately, River Bend has apparently decided to deep six the EcoFair. I am not privy to the reasons for this--the organization may have perfectly good reasons for doing so. However, this is a loss to the community. The local Sierra Group is looking at once again taking over the EcoFair. It is unfortunate that this will once again require starting with no budget as we did the first year. When the club gave River Bend the EcoFair, it also passed on the money earned in the first two years. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough to allow more flexibility. I hate to see Wichita Falls lose this event. At the same time, I don't know that I have the energy and drive to take a leadership role in trying to salvage the event in 2011. If you want to take part in a discussion on this, contact the Red River Sierra Group at redriversierra@gmail.com. The organization is trying to put together a meeting next week.

Reminder: Sierra Club Meeting Tuesday Night

Just another reminder that the Red River Sierra Club Group meets Tuesday, April 12, 7:15 PM at Chili's, on Call Field Rd. The group has established an email address: RedRiverSierra@gmail.com so feel free to email for more information.