Here in Boise, we’ve seen outsiders flock to our city from all over the states to get a taste of the gorgeous natural scenery, warm Summers, and cozy foothills atmosphere. The growing popularity of Boise over the last few years seems to have taken place right before our eyes. As natives to this ever-growing city, Boiseinites are morally obligated to protect the unique biome we live in.

So what specific reasons are there to take care of the nature around us? First off, Idaho is one of the last states in the continental United States with as much intact wildlife as we have. While the majority of Southern Idaho is dry with rolling hills of waving sheet grass and crusty sagebrush, our area is home to a plethora of different animals, none of which who are genetically meant to live in trash.

Not to mention, the ever looming threat of climate change drives our society to care about the environment as well. We’re used to triple digit weather in the Summer, which is probably because 12 of the hottest years ever recorded have taken place in the last 15 years. The smallest amount of effort each Boise citizen can put in to help stop the change of our climate can simply be taking care of the nature around us.

Another factor that must drive us towards picking up each other’s trash would be a sense of community. Again, it’s not a secret that Boise has recently been flooded with new wave of out-of-staters here to plant their roots. Not only do we want to welcome the newcomers to a crisp, clean city, but showing those people what our standard is when it comes to clean streets will help get them into the habit and under the obligation to help as well. Not only that, but everyone working towards one goal will only strengthen that sense of community. Boise’s common goal should be and is to keep the city clean.

As individuals, being aware of yourself and your waste reflects your character greatly by showing one’s willingness to do what’s best for a whole. Working together to make sure our surrounding nature remains top notch will keep our overall reputation as a big and fast-growing city in America one of the best, will keep our city nice and pretty, and will keep our growing population on an upward trend (which gets more money into circulation locally, boosting our economy as well).

So, while you’re out living it up every day of the beautiful Summer to come, remember the jobs that being a citizen of Boise has appointed you with. First, be attentive of your waste, and second, set an example for those to come.