Pandemic Brings Challenges, Opportunities For Arizona Forests
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U.S. Forest Service
Dispersed campsite trash found in Coconino National Forest.
The coronavirus — and accompanying stay-at-home orders — came at a difficult time for our state’s public forests and lands.
Not only were they about to open their roads from winter snow to a flurry of spring campers and hikers, but all of those people around the state who couldn’t go to the movies or the library or the museum on the weekends came for the outdoors, too.
And, after some busy weekends like Memorial Day, rangers out in our state’s forests found piles of trash left from campers and had trouble enforcing illegal campfires.
It’s a balancing act though, according to ranger Matthew McGrath, who is based in Flagstaff. He spoke to The Show more about the challenges and opportunities the pandemic has brought.
