Have you ever watched a balloon disappear into sky and wonder where it might go? Unfortunately, balloons that create joy for a moment often become trash that lasts decades. As they rise, balloons gradually expand as the pressure drops, then they pop. The empty balloons fall back to the ground and can land in the ocean or the desert. Plastic bags and food wrappers can be swept away by wind or water to unpopulated areas. As many of us have seen through pictures and video, the large collections of trash in the ocean can harm marine life and ruin natural beauty. But what about all the trash that ends up in the desert? Does that trash have a similar negative effect?
Humans have been producing trash since the Stone Age. However, those prehistoric tools came from natural materials such as stone, clay, and plants, which can decompose harmlessly over time. But as human innovation advanced, we started to use more long-lasting materials—metals, concrete, chemicals, and plastic—which when discarded into the desert can leak harmful chemicals into soils and water sources or create a physical hazard for wild animals.
Today, cities have trash services and dumps to safely dispose of trash and protect the environment, but some seek to avoid the costs, and dump garbage in the desert or throw trash out the window. In cities like Hesperia and Hinkley, illegal trash dumping is a serious problem.
Unfortunately, the recent coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated this issue. Single-use plastics are pouring into our waste management systems at an accelerated rate — not just masks and gloves, but plastic bags, bottles, and food containers. Many of these items cannot be recycled and are often not properly disposed, instead thrown carelessly into the wind. On Fort Irwin, we know that food waste is a serious problem which can attract unwanted visitors like coyotes and ravens. Amplified access to extra food sources like trash can result in an increase of these predator populations. An unnatural upsurge in predator populations can be detrimental to sensitive wildlife like the desert tortoise. Boosts in predation by coyotes and ravens are just one reason why the desert tortoise is on the Federal Endangered Species List.
Although it may seem like plastics will decay under the intense sunlight and heat, research suggests that plastics simply break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. Microplastics can seep into soils or fuse to plants. These plastic pieces might be eaten by wildlife—such as insects, rodents, or kit foxes— when they eat plastic-covered plants or mistake balloons for food. Because ingested plastics do not pass through the animal’s digestive system, the plastic accumulates in their body and the animal may eventually become ill. Shrubs can also be harmed when trash gets caught in branches. Plants cannot grow when trash blocks sunlight to leaves and prevents pollinators from reaching flowers. The entire natural community is impacted when plant growth decreases as there is less food for herbivores and less protection from the summer heat.
Help desert wildlife by making sure trash is disposed in secured containers. If you see litter on the ground, safely pick it up and dispose of it in an appropriate trash receptacle. The desert thanks you!
Please report any illegal trash dumping on Fort Irwin to the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) by contacting the environmental division front desk during regular business hours at 760-380-5044. If you have a wildlife concern, you can reach the on-call wildlife biologist directly by calling 619-288-8883.Any issues pertaining to domesticated pets should be directed to the Animal Control Facility 760-380-8564. To request insect, rodent, or dead animal removal, contact High Desert Support Services (HDSS) work order desk at 760-380-3539.