WESTFORD — A routine patrol by the Massachusetts Environmental Police turned into an unexpected moment of inspiration at Nabnasset Pond.
On March 25, seven-year-old Layna and her mother, Noelle Donovan, were collecting trash along the beach and parking lot, an effort that was entirely Layna’s idea.
“I picked Layna up from school and she asked if we could go pick up trash at the beach,” Donovan said.
In about 30 minutes, the pair filled almost five household trash bags with litter. The act made an immediate and visible difference to the area, according to a Massachusetts Environmental Police news release.
The two have been cleaning up together since Layna was young. Donovan said her daughter developed a passion for protecting the environment after watching both of her parents lead by example.
“She’s kind of morphed into this little steward for the land,” Donovan said. “Anytime she sees trash, she points it out.”
Layna’s motivation is rooted in empathy and an understanding of how litter affects wildlife and the environment, her mom explained. Donovan said her daughter has learned about issues such as ocean pollution and understands that trash does not simply disappear.
The news release said the officer was struck by Layna’s initiative and sense of responsibility. After speaking with them, he asked permission to share their story.
Donovan, whose family has lived in Westford for seven generations, said her own efforts began years ago.
“I got sick of seeing it. I’d come down to Edwards, or I would go to East Boston Camps or one of the many, many places I enjoy around town, and I got sick of seeing the trash there,” she said. “Instead of just complaining about it, I decided to do something.”
She said teaching children to care for their surroundings at a young age is critical.
“It creates a habit early and it creates a habit of understanding early,” she said. “We need to raise our children to be the people who will take care of this planet in the future.”
Their efforts show how small actions, even by the youngest of residents living in Westford, can have a big impact on the community.
3 Responses
What a beautiful and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing such positive news.
Wonderful story. It wold be nice if in the spring around Earth Day the town would provide a dumpster or other disposal service for people doing the work of litter collection. It may be very useful with the PAYT system begins this summer and limiting what individuals can dispose of properly.
If everyone walked around their neighborhood in the spring and picked up trash it would make a big difference in Westford litter.