In celebration of Earth Day, Tri-Community Kiwanis President, Carol Smith, presented Scott Brown, Founder and President of High Desert Keepers Organization, with a Distinguished Service Award. Along with the recognition goes a donation to the CAL NEV HA Children’s Foundation for grants and scholarships.
A nonprofit since May of 2017, High Desert Keepers has removed 333 tons of trash and over 2,000 tires. “We are working to slow down the illegal dumping or stopping it completely, but that is a tall order,” says Scott. “We believe that most of the dumping is coming from unscrupulous building contractors and the ever-present unlicensed trash hauler contractors.” Scott said, “people hire them, pay them to go to the dump, they pocket the money and dump in the desert.” He says, “the best way to stop that is if someone hires them, do not pay until they come back with a receipt from the dump.”
High Desert Keepers will be meeting with Law Enforcement and the District Attorneys’ office to discuss the prosecution of illegal dumpers. They also have a Tire Abatement Program that they are trying to get the state to fund, which would include a central facility to work from. They are always looking for volunteers to help; if you are interested, contact Scott at photosuperman1@yahoo.com or call 760-792-7399.
