One of the better things to have come out of the COVID-19 restrictions is that more people have stepped into the great outdoors to enjoy their natural environment.
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I have always love a daily walk, but in the height of the restrictions there appeared to be many more people stepping outside for a walk each day. In fact it became a bit of a social highlight of my day just to see people other than those I was living with.
Another highlight was that with little other options to get out of the house I truly began to appreciate the beauty of the region in which we live. Such appreciation has since prompted me to head out for more adventures in the region in which I live, taking in stunning sites that I have long heard about but never, or rarely, experienced.
In fact, with the ongoing travel restrictions I began to truly enjoy holiday adventures in my own back yard. The border restrictions may have eased, but I've decided I want to continue to soak up the appeal of the many attractions on my doorstep across the Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands. We are blessed with so many natural attractions.
The most disappointing part of my adventures to date has been the rubbish I often see left behind. Food wrappings, tissues, drink bottles, and cigarette butts were common on my most recent adventure to a popular waterfall.
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I assume this rubbish has been left behind by people who clearly want to take a closer look at some beautiful natural environments. That would make me think that they appreciate Mother Nature's gifts. Yet they leave their rubbish behind? The mind boggles.
Clearly their appreciation doesn't run deep enough. To leave behind rubbish in the areas they are visiting because of its natural beauty is a total contradiction. It doesn't take much to take your rubbish with you and dispose of it appropriately, so why leave it behind.
What is even more disturbing is that people leave cigarette butts behind. Have we already forgotten the devastation caused by bushfires in the region less than a year ago? Cigarettes butts inappropriately discarded have the potential to cause more devastation.
We are all responsible for ensuring our environment remains pristine and the first step is to not leave our rubbish behind. Keep a bag in your vehicle for just this purpose and leave nothing but your footprints behind.
