On 23 Jul 1996, CHRISTINE W. MAACK wrote:

> Tom wrote: > > > What if I ignored the bird, sent $10 to Black Hills > >
Audubon or Mike Waller for Zoo outreach to schools, > > and picked up
trash on the highway for an hour? :) > > > > Tom > >

The $10 donation is
fine, but tell me, what is the benefit to wildlife of > picking up
roadside trash? Makes you feel good, right? Makes drivers have a more >
aesthetic experience, feel better about their community, OK. But with the
> exception of a few things like six-pack rings and styrofoam, is the
litter > really harming anything? > Chris--

you got me there..it does make me feel good and removes unwanted,
unnecessary, and, as you pointed out, potentially dangerous
(6 pak rings, etc) from the environment..

and in the same vein of removing potentially dangerous things
from the environment perhaps you can tell me what possible good
the folks at the Wildlife Refuge were accomplishing when
I arrived with the injured bird and found them bottle-
feeding two litters of very tiny little possums who will
be rehabbed to get back out there and rob nests... I think
picking up trash instead of that would be more constructive
and helpful...and it could make them feel every bit as good.. :)

Tom