JOPLIN, Mo. — A group spent part of their morning cleaning things up at a popular nature trail.
It all started a handful of years ago – when one of the members of the Wildcat Glades Nature Group was taking a walk – and noticed an abundance of graffiti and trash along the trails.
“Over the years, it’s gotten worse, to the point where they are painting the rocks, the trees, it’s been very bothersome to us and we’ve been trying to think of ways in which we can address that,” said Charles Keeter, Wildcat Glades Nature Group Director.
Tuesday, they focused on an area where they recently wrapped trees in chicken-wire.
Volunteers do this to deter vandals from spray painting the trees – which is something that happens often – and to this point, it’s worked.
“So far, it’s been very successful and as you can see, there isn’t any graffiti on it. And the other thing that is interesting is last week we came and painted over these, and we have a minimum amount of graffiti painted back on these,” said Keeter.
Why do these volunteers continue to clean the Glades?
“A group of volunteers that are passionate about the beauty of this place and the naturalness of it. We want to maintain it and keep it as pristine as we possibly can,” said Keeter.
If more people want to get involved – they can message the Wildcat Glades Nature Group on Facebook.