The waters of Lake Naconiche were visited by certified scuba divers and Central Heights High School students who volunteered to help clean above and below the waters. Around 20 volunteers helped on land, and around another 15 below.
“We found a lot of cans and bottles,” junior Allison Johnson, an experienced diver, said. “The strangest thing I found was a metal seat holder. My friend found a pair of Oakleys.”
Litter can have a bigger impact on wildlife than someone would expect. The cleaning of Lake Naconiche helped remove the litter from the waters, making it a safer environment for its inhabitants. It also removes harmful chemicals that could decrease the population of wildlife.
“ Lake Nac was surprisingly clean, which is a good thing,” Johnson said. “One of the first dive cleanups I did, we had about 15 contractor-sized trash bags full of trash. That was really eye-opening.”
By picking up trash piece by piece, divers and cleaners improved the safety and beauty of Lake Naconiche and highlighted the significance of protecting these natural habitats, one small, meaningful action after another.