We always talk about the importance of keeping national parks clean. They are protected land for everyone to enjoy. We always share many reasons why it’s so important. We must be stewards of the land so those who come after us can enjoy it. The parks are home to endangered animals that can be injured by human garbage. Ecosystems in the park help the rest of the country stay healthy and keep our water systems clean. The reasons go on and on.
However, it’s really easy to ignore those warnings. Most of us know all those things and still think, “What is one piece of trash from me going to do?” Of course, most of us understand that thinking like that can be disastrous. If every single one of the millions of visitors thinks in terms of “just one piece from me,” the parks will end up filled with thousands of pounds of trash.
A shocking news story has shown that, in reality, one piece of trash can have massive consequences. A single bag of Cheetos dramatically impacted the ecosystem of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Rangers described it as a “world-changing” event for the microbes and insects that call the caverns home.
The Rangers aren’t sure how long the Cheetos were there for. Cave crickets, spiders, mites and flies quickly began to eat and disperse the corn snack. Because of the high humidity in the cave, mold had already started to grow on the floor and nearby stalagmites. The mold had to be removed with a toothbrush before it could spread and make more changes to the ecosystem.
Food isn’t allowed in the cave. There are signs telling people that and it is printed on the admission ticket. However, the rangers pick up trash daily despite constantly reminding people that the cave is a sensitive natural environment.
“If someone doesn’t feel a personal stake in the preservation of these environments, they may not take the rules seriously,” said JD Tanner, director of education and training at Leave No Trace.
The mold caused a stench, and it took a couple of days for Rangers to thoroughly remove all of it. It reeked because the mold could grow, but it couldn’t survive in the dark caverns where very few forms of life can thrive. It grew, spread and died in a quick cycle because of the warmth and humidity.
The National Park Service wrote, “Great or small we all leave an impact wherever we go. How we choose to interact with others and the world we share together has its effects moment by moment.”
